Before we get into the truth of adultery according to the word of God, let’s see the definition. According to the Oxford Languages, adultery is defined as voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not his or her spouse. According to the holy scriptures, adultery is a sin in the eyes of God. This is not only true in the eyes of God. Every believer and nonbeliever who supports marriage feels the same. To them, it is seen as an offensive thing that goes against the relationship of a married couple. Marriages that commit such acts usually end in divorce.
Scriptures on Adultery
Now, let’s look at a few scriptures that give us more details about adultery and why it is frowned upon, especially by those who strongly believe and walk according to the word of God:
Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV)
Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Hebrews 13:4
You shall not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:24
“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:28
Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.”
John 8:3-4
The scriptures further explain that the woman should be put to death, according to Moses’s law. But Jesus said in verse 7 that he who has not sinned, let him throw the first stone. But according to the scriptures, none could throw a stone at the woman because they too had once sinned. So, to commit adultery is to sin against God and His word. But those who come to the Lord and repent of their sins will be forgiven.
History of Adultery
Adultery involving a married woman and a man other than her husband was considered a heinous crime even in the past. In 1707, English Lord Chief Justice John Holt stated that a man having sexual relations with another man’s wife was “the highest invasion of property” and claimed, regarding the aggrieved husband, that “a man cannot receive a higher provocation” (in a case of murder or manslaughter) (Samuel H. Pillsbury, 2013).
There is much that could be said on this topic. There are even those who believe in open marriage or the swinging lifestyle, where both spouses agree to have other sexual relations. There is also the case of raped victims concerning adultery. A married woman who has suffered rape by a man who’s not her husband will not be held accountable. Only the man who raped her has committed adultery. Many religions consider adultery to be a serious crime, one that should come with consequences and severe punishment.
Adultery Affects the Entire Family
Adultery is wrong and can cause people to get hurt and marriages to fail. If they have kids, it can cause long, painful custody battles that can scar a child for a big part of their life. For a child to grow up with only one parent, eventually it leads to questions that can often lead to more hurt and pain. Then why do people get married if they know they have a problem being committed to one person?
Usually when two people get married, they feel they love each other enough to be together for many years. When a spouse is unfaithful, it leads to divorce, a sense of mistrust, jealousy, guilt, and broken relationships. It can even lead to domestic violence. In conclusion, adultery is a sinful, callous act that should never be done to anyone, especially to a loved one. The best way to prevent the act of adultery is to be sure you can fully commit to one person before marriage.