Fleeing Adultery: A Biblical Perspective on Sexual Immorality

Flee from the Darkness: A Biblical Perspective on Adultery

Adultery is a sin that has been around since the beginning of time. It is a sin that is often committed in secret and can have devastating consequences on both individuals and families. As Christians, we are called to flee from sexual immorality and to pursue righteousness. In this article, we will explore what the Bible has to say about adultery and how we can protect ourselves from falling into this sin.

What is Adultery?

The Bible defines adultery as sexual relations between a married person and someone who is not their spouse. Adultery is a sin because it goes against God’s plan for marriage and the sanctity of the marriage covenant. The Bible is clear that sexual relations should only occur between a husband and wife within the context of marriage. Any sexual activity outside of marriage is considered sexual immorality and is condemned by God.

Adultery is not just a physical act, but it also involves an emotional and spiritual betrayal of one’s spouse. When a person commits adultery, they are breaking the trust and intimacy that is supposed to be shared between husband and wife. Adultery is a sin that has serious consequences and can lead to the destruction of marriages and families.

The Consequences of Adultery

Adultery has devastating consequences for both the individual who commits the sin and their spouse. The Bible warns us that the consequences of adultery are severe:

• Proverbs 6:32 says, “But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”


• Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”


• Matthew 5:27-28 says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Adultery not only destroys the trust and intimacy between spouses, but it also has the potential to destroy families. Children often suffer the most when parents engage in adultery. The emotional trauma and brokenness that result from a broken marriage can have lifelong effects on children. Adultery also has the potential to destroy the witness of Christians and damage the reputation of the Church.

Protecting Ourselves from Adultery

As Christians, we are called to flee from sexual immorality and to pursue righteousness. We can protect ourselves from falling into the sin of adultery by following these guidelines:

1. Guard our hearts and minds

The Bible teaches us that we need to guard our hearts and minds from the temptations of the world. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” We need to be careful about what we allow into our hearts and minds. We need to avoid pornography and other forms of sexual immorality that can lead us down the path of adultery. We need to be vigilant about what we watch on TV, listen to on the radio, and read in books and magazines.

2. Stay accountable

We need to have accountability in our lives to protect ourselves from falling into sin. We need to have trusted friends or mentors who will hold us accountable and speak truth into our lives. We need to be open and honest about our struggles and weaknesses.

3. Focus on our marriage

We need to focus on our own marriages and invest in them. We need to be intentional about spending time with our spouses, communicating openly and honestly, and meeting each other’s needs. We need to prioritize our marriages above all other relationships.

4. Pray and seek God’s help

We need to pray and seek God’s help in resisting temptation. We need to ask God to give us the strength and wisdom to resist the temptations of the world. We need to rely on His power to protect us from falling into sin.

The Good News

Although adultery is a serious sin with serious consequences, the good news is that there is forgiveness and hope available to those who repent and turn to God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says, “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

God’s grace is available to all who repent and turn to Him. If you have committed adultery, it is never too late to turn to God and seek forgiveness. Confess your sin to God and ask for His forgiveness. Seek the help of trusted friends, mentors, or a Christian counselor to help you heal and restore your marriage.

Conclusion

Adultery is a serious sin that can have devastating consequences on individuals and families. As Christians, we are called to flee from sexual immorality and to pursue righteousness. We need to guard our hearts and minds, stay accountable, focus on our marriages, and pray for God’s help in resisting temptation. The good news is that there is forgiveness and hope available to those who repent and turn to God. Let us pursue righteousness and flee from the darkness of adultery.