What is Adultery?
Adultery is a form of unfaithfulness that is considered a serious moral offence in many religions. Adultery in Christian terms is an act of sexual infidelity to a married person. This includes physical contact or sexual relations with someone who isn’t your spouse or partner without the consent of both partners. In simple words, adultery is considered any form of sexual relationship that is not in conformance to the marriage vows taken.
In the Bible, adultery is declared as a major sin. In the Old Testament, it was punishable by death in some circumstances. Even in the New Testament, Jesus himself said that adultery was a sinful act that was forbidden in God’s eyes.
What Does The Bible Say About An Adulterous Man?
The Bible presents a clear message that adultery is wrong. In the ten commandments, God says “Thou shall not commit adultery”. This command is repeated throughout the Old Testament and New Testament in different forms. In Leviticus 20:10, God pronounces death as the punishment for adultery. In Deuteronomy 22:22, the punishment was considered being stoned to death.
In the New Testament, Jesus again emphasised how serious adultery is in God’s eyes. In Matthew 5:27–28 Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
The Bible also emphasizes that adultery is not a habit which should be tolerated and it should not be treated lightly. In Ephesians 5:4, Paul says “When you are angry, you must not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still in a state of anger. Do not give an opportunity to sin.”
Adultery and its Effects
Adultery destroys the trust between partners and the institution of marriage. It has the potential to break up families and cause lifelong pain and suffering. Studies have found that adultery can lead to increased depression and negative psychological outcomes in the partner who has been betrayed.
Adultery not only causes emotional and psychological pain, but it can also bring physical and financial disaster and destruction. Besides, it also disrupts a family’s economic stability. This can put a strain on relationships and even lead to divorce.
It is also important to remember that adultery has spiritual consequences. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-19, Paul talks about the spiritual danger of sexual sins. He said, “Flee from sexual immorality, every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against their own body.”
What Should an Adulterous Man Do According To The Bible?
The Bible is clear that adultery is wrong and it should not be tolerated. If you have committed adultery, the Bible calls for repentance and seeking forgiveness. The Bible says in John 8:11 “No one who practices sin is righteous before God”.
The Bible also teaches that an adulterous man should confess his sin and repent from it. The Bible say in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
The Bible also teaches that an adulterous man should seek out guidance and support from a trusted religious leader referred to as a pastor, priest or minister. By talking to one of these leaders, they should be able to provide guidance and prayer to help the person facing this sin.
Support For Adulterous Men in the Bible
The Bible is clear that adultery is wrong and people who are facing this sin should seek repentance and forgiveness. However, it is also important to remember that God is merciful and compassionate towards those who seek His forgiveness. Even when it comes to those who have committed adultery, God’s love and mercy can still reach them.
In Isaiah 54:4-8, God speaks to an adulterous woman and says, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Even though adultery is a grave sin, God does not judge or condemn the person for the sin, but rather for the repentance and repentance of it. In Ezekiel 18:20-22, God says, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”
Preventing Adultery
It is important to remember that adultery can be prevented. The Bible offers several practical tips on how to guard against temptation and maintain a healthy marriage. In Proverbs 5:18-19, God said, “Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.”
Also in Ephesians 5, Paul encourages husbands and wives to live in an understanding way by respecting and honouring each other. He says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”. By maintaining healthy relationships, couples can help prevent adultery.
How to Repair Adulterous Relationships
The Bible also offers practical advice on how to repair relationships that have been damaged by adultery. In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus said, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.”
In addition, 1 Peter 4:8-9 tells us to “love one another deeply, for love covers a multitude of sins” and Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Finally, couples should also seek out Christian counseling and invite the help of their church family in repairing the damage caused by adultery.
Restoration and Healing Through Jesus
The Bible also emphasizes that the only true path to redemptions, restoration and healing is Jesus. In Jeremiah 3:22-23 it says, “Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness. Behold, we come to you; for you are the Lord our God.”
We learn from this verse that Jesus is the one who can heal the brokenness and restore faith in those who have sinned.
God’s love and mercy can also be seen in His willingness to forgive those who have sinned. In Isaiah 1:18, He says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
This shows us that God is willing to forgive us, no matter what we have done. The Bible is clear that if we turn back to God and seek His forgiveness, He will grant it to us.
The Need for Repentance
Ultimately, the Bible is clear that adultery is a serious sin that must be atoned for by genuine repentance. The Bible urges us to repent and turn away from our sins. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul said, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
Repentance allows us to draw close to God and be filled with His love, mercy and peace. It allows us to experience the grace of Jesus and to be restored to right relationship with Him. It enables us to live in the freedom of the forgiveness and love of God.
Finding Help
Finally, the Bible encourages us to seek help and support from Christian pastors, counselors and friends in times of difficulty. In James 5:16, it says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
By seeking help from people we trust, we can be surrounded by love and comfort when dealing with the effects of adultery. Through the power of prayer and godly counsel, it is possible for an adulterous man to find healing, restoration and freedom through Jesus.
The Need for Self-Reflection
For those who want to avoid adultery, the Bible calls us to practice self-control and make wise decisions. In both 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 10:13, Paul encourages us to “flee from sexual immorality”. The Bible emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for our actions as well as reflecting on our motivations.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul reminded us to take into consideration our “acts of the flesh”. He said, “Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit”.
Ultimately, the Bible teaches us to be watchful and guard our hearts against temptation and sin. By doing this, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from the detrimental effects of adultery.
