7th Commandment: Adultery

 

"You must not commit adultery."  Exodus 20:14

    This is the 3rd social construct commandment.  Like the others it has layers.  God is very straight forward, but how you obey it matters.  Social commandments is how your conduct and way you live your life reflects your relationship with God and how you worship Him.  If you love Him, then you obey Him.  These are loving boundaries to help you live wisely and in an intimate relationship with God.

    Adultery is when a person voluntarily enters into sexual activity of any kind with someone who is not their spouse.  Seems pretty straight forward.  In Biblical times they took it very seriously.  Women especially caught in adultery were killed.  Men were to be killed too.  Even if people are not caught in adultery, God still knows.  If you commit adultery you will have to face God one day and account for it unless you repent and turn away from your sin.

    Adultery seems pretty straight forward: don't cheat on your spouse.  However, it is not that simple.  You have to look at adultery through God's perspective.  If you are single and have never been married, but have any sexual relationships, then you have committed adultery against your future spouse.  This only applies to what is consensual.  Anyone who is raped, molested, or anything else along those lines are not guilty.  You had something stolen from you and God will deal with that.

    In the new testament Jesus goes deeper with it.  He points out that if you look at anyone with lust in your heart, then you have committed adultery.  It may sound harsh, but he had a point to make.  It is in the heart where sin begins.  You have desire for something and then you think about it.  You may know it is wrong, but over time you justify it and eventually you act.  

    Jesus is saying cut it out where it starts in the heart.  Never allow it to become something that you remanence and focus on.  Keep your relationships holy to keep your relationship with God close.  Choose Him over every single relationship and potential relationship in your life.  The commandment comes down to do not commit spiritual adultery.  Do not turn away from God for something temporal that will destroy your life and your walk with God.

Exodus 20:14, Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 5:18, Proverbs 6:32, Matthew 5:27-28, 19:9, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, & Hebrews 13:4