6 Things Every Christian Needs to Know about Adultery

A stern warning against adultery is essential, given our culture. Statistics say that one in four or five people commit adultery, and the reality is likely higher. Few people wake up and think, "How can I destroy my marriage and deeply wound the people who mean the most to me?" But that's exactly what adultery does. Momentary personal pleasure leads to widespread, multi-generational harm. Christian author and Podcaster Jani Ortlund writes, "Adultery brings misery at so many levels. It brings the adulterer shame. It introduces betrayal into your legacy. It shows your children that your personal pleasure is more important than their security. It brings sorrow to your Christian community." The Bible echoes these effects. Proverbs 6:32–33 reads, "But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away." While God can forgive even the gravest sin, his forgiveness does not prevent sin's natural consequences.

Solid mooring is difficult to find unless we turn to the Bible. Routine commercials, popular music, TV shows, and social media feeds all prey upon our sexuality for appeal and sales. Instead, God wants to celebrate our sexuality within a healthy context and safeguard our sacred relationships. If you are feeling tempted to compromise, read these six principles to save your marriage. You do not have to fight what might feel like an uphill battle alone.

1. Adultery is a sin against God.

First, you might think of an affair as involving just two entities, but the Bible says there is a third—God. That's because marriage is a covenant between two people before God. While wedding ceremonies increasingly occur outside of the church, that change in setting doesn't negate the spiritual reality of what's occurring. Covenants are fonts of God's richest blessings in Scripture, but they spell destruction when they are not honored. God has a vested interest in seeing your marriage prosper and kept pure. Hebrews 13:4 reads, "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." That's why when Potiphar's wife propositions Joseph in the Old Testament, Joseph denies her and says, "How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9). 

Even if you are feeling frustrated or disillusioned with your spouse, allow your love for God to draw you back into your covenant. Then, meet with a trusted Christian counselor—read more in slide #6 of this article.

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Crosswalk commissioned this and other upcoming pieces on marriage after my last marriage article. Stay tuned for some devotions this fall. I hope you find them helpful!