The 10 Commandments
Do Not Commit Adultery
What is Adultery? Adultery is strictly defined as: sexual relations between a married man and a woman who is not his wife, or between a married woman and a man who is not her husband.
Hebrews 13:4
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Why Avoid Adultery?
1. Adultery is a sin against God because God is holy and pure.
2. Adultery is a sin against your spouse and family.
3. Adultery defiles and distorts the marriage relationship.
Ephesians 5:3
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Proverbs 6:32
32 But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.
32 But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.
Jesus takes this commandment to the heart level.
Matthew 5:27-28
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Sexual sin distorts our union with Christ.
“For many, internet porn becomes an enslaving addiction coupled with the false comfort of solo sex. God intends sex to happen in the context of selflessness, mutual love and affirmation expressed within the deep safety of a committed lifelong relationship. Pornography shatters every aspect of what God intended.” - David White
What now? How to respond to sexual sin?
1. Begin vertically – confess and repent
2. Turn to someone you trust – Same gender. Pastor, counselor, friend, life group leader. Share your struggle. Take darkness and bring it into light.
3. Be a Friend – offer no shame and no judgement. They’ve just vulnerably shared. Point them to Jesus and to the scripture. Remove and replace... and repeat!
4. Offer resources that can help on the journey – Addictions are REAL and complex. There is no simplistic answer because there are SO MANY variations and reasons for sexual immorality. But sin is underlying all of it.
5. If you know Christ – you’ve been gifted His Spirit and have access to His word. (1 Peter 1)
6. If you don’t know Christ – The point is, like the rest of us, you are a sinner, and you need a Savior. (John 3:17)
1Thessalonians 4:3-8
3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Series Information
How can we truly know who God is and who we are if there was no law given from God to define morality. The 10 Commandments give us a timeless framework by which we can know the holiness of God and to know our need for his help in living to please him.