Adultery is a sin that breaks trust and damages relationships. The Bible speaks clearly about the consequences of unfaithfulness, offering guidance on living a life of purity and love. Today, we’ll see what Scripture says about avoiding this destructive path.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Commitments
What Does The Bible Say About Committing Adultery
Exodus 20:14
“You shall not commit adultery.”
This verse is one of the Ten Commandments given by God to the Israelites. It clearly states that committing adultery is forbidden and goes against God’s will.
Adultery refers to the act of being unfaithful in a marriage or a committed relationship. God designed marriage to be a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, and adultery undermines the trust, intimacy, and commitment that should be present in a marriage.
Proverbs 6:32
“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”
This verse highlights the consequences of committing adultery. It suggests that those who engage in such behavior lack understanding and wisdom.
Committing adultery not only damages the trust and emotional well-being of the individuals involved, but it also has far-reaching effects on families and communities. It brings about pain, destruction, and ultimately leads to broken relationships.
Matthew 5:27-28
“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.”
In this verse, Jesus takes the concept of adultery beyond the physical act and focuses on the heart. He emphasizes that even entertaining lustful thoughts is sinful and equivalent to committing adultery.
Jesus’ words remind us of the importance of purity in our thoughts, as well as our actions. It challenges us to guard our hearts and minds against impurity, seeking to cultivate a lifestyle that honors God in our relationships.
Proverbs 5:15-17
“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.”
This verse uses the metaphor of water from one’s own well to symbolize the exclusive and intimate nature of marital relationships.
It reminds us of the importance of faithfulness and loyalty within the marriage covenant. It discourages seeking satisfaction or intimacy outside of the boundaries of marriage, emphasizing the value of cherishing and valuing one’s spouse.
Proverbs 6:24-26
“Keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman. Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life.”
This verse serves as a warning against the seductive influence of immoral relationships.
It reminds us to be cautious and to guard our hearts against temptations. It emphasizes the negative consequences of engaging in relationships that are outside the boundaries of God’s design, highlighting the potential for great harm and the destruction of one’s well-being.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
This verse calls believers to actively flee from sexual immorality and to honor God with their bodies.
It reminds us that our bodies are not our own, but they belong to God. Therefore, we are called to live in a way that brings glory to Him, respecting the sacredness and purity of our bodies. This involves staying away from any form of sexual sin, including adultery.
Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
This verse highlights the importance of honoring marriage and keeping the marriage bed pure.
It emphasizes that God holds all individuals accountable for their actions, especially those who engage in adultery or any form of sexual immorality. It serves as a sobering reminder of the judgment that awaits those who disregard God’s commands in this area.
Matthew 19:9
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
In this verse, Jesus speaks about the seriousness of divorce and its connection to adultery.
Jesus clarifies that divorce is only permissible in cases of sexual immorality, highlighting the importance of fidelity within marriage. It emphasizes that remarriage after an invalid divorce is considered adultery in God’s eyes.
Proverbs 7:25-27
“Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”
This verse serves as a cautionary reminder against being enticed by the ways of an adulterous woman.
It warns of the destructive path that can result from succumbing to temptation and sexual immorality. The imagery used emphasizes the grave consequences that can accompany going down the path of adultery.
Job 31:1
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.”
In this verse, Job declares his commitment to maintaining purity in his thoughts and actions.
Job recognizes the importance of making a deliberate decision to guard his eyes and refrain from looking lustfully at women. It exemplifies the kind of mindset and self-discipline required to avoid falling into the trap of adultery.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse lists sexual immorality as one of the acts of the flesh that are contrary to the Spirit of God.
It provides a stern warning against engaging in such behavior and reminds believers of the serious consequences that can result from living a lifestyle characterized by these sinful actions. It also highlights that those who persist in such actions will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Proverbs 2:16-19
“Wisdom will save you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of wisdom in avoiding the enticements of an adulterous woman.
It highlights the destructive consequences that can result from giving in to the seductive words and allure of such individuals. It reminds believers to seek wisdom and discernment to safeguard themselves from the pitfalls of adultery.
Proverbs 23:27-28
“For a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.”
This verse compares a prostitute to a deep pit and a wayward wife to a narrow well, portraying the dangers and snares they represent.
It serves as a cautionary reminder of the traps and temptations that can arise from pursuing immoral relationships outside the boundaries of God’s design. It warns against the consequences of embracing unfaithfulness.
Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of honoring marriage and keeping the marriage bed pure.
It reminds believers to value and respect the sanctity of marriage, realizing that God will hold accountable those who engage in adultery or any form of sexual immorality. It underscores the need for fidelity and purity within the marriage relationship.
Proverbs 30:20
“This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’”
In this verse, the behavior of an adulterous woman is described as deceitful and unremorseful.
It warns against the treacherous nature of those who engage in adultery, indicating their willingness to rationalize and deny their wrongdoing. It serves as a reminder to be cautious and discerning in relationships to avoid being led astray.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of living a sanctified and holy life, particularly in the area of sexual purity.
It reminds believers that they are called to exercise self-control over their bodies, rejecting the passionate lust that characterizes those who do not know God. It encourages a lifestyle of purity and honors God’s will.
1 Corinthians 10:8
“We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.”
This verse refers to the incident in the Old Testament when the Israelites engaged in sexual immorality and faced severe consequences.
It serves as a solemn warning of the dangers and destructive outcomes that can result from engaging in sexual immorality. It highlights the importance of obedience to God’s commands in this area to avoid experiencing the devastating consequences that can follow.
Proverbs 9:17-18
“‘Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!’ But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.”
This verse describes the allure and temporary pleasure that may be associated with engaging in forbidden relationships.
However, it presents a cautionary message, reminding individuals that the consequences of such actions ultimately lead to death and destruction. It encourages us to embrace wisdom and discernment to avoid the enticing but dangerous path of adultery.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
This verse instructs believers to put to death the sinful desires of the flesh, including sexual immorality.
It emphasizes the importance of intentionally choosing to live according to the Spirit of God, rather than giving in to the temptations and desires of the flesh. It calls for the removal of any behavior or mindset that goes against God’s design for purity and holiness.
Proverbs 6:26-29
“For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.”
This verse vividly warns of the severe consequences of engaging in adultery.
It uses powerful analogies to illustrate the inevitability of negative outcomes resulting from such actions. It serves as a reminder of the punitive nature of unfaithfulness and emphasizes the importance of respecting the boundaries of marriage.
Ezekiel 23:37
“For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols; they have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to me, as food for them.”
This verse speaks of a spiritual adultery committed by the Israelites, symbolized by their unfaithfulness and idolatry.
It serves as a reminder of the severe consequences that can result from straying away from God’s commands and engaging in idolatrous practices. It underscores the gravity of adultery and highlights the dangers of forsaking their covenant relationship with God.
2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
In this verse, the pursuit of righteousness and purity in relationships is encouraged while fleeing from youthful passions and evil desires.
It reminds believers to actively pursue a life characterized by godliness, surrounding themselves with others who share the same commitment to purity. It calls for intentional actions and choices that align with God’s standards while avoiding the pitfalls of sexual immorality.
Proverbs 22:14
“The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who finds himself in her arms is like somebody who wanders into a burning house.”
This verse employs imagery to depict the dangers and consequences of becoming entangled with an adulterous woman.
It warns against the allure of such relationships and likens the experience to someone willingly entering a burning house. It serves as a stark reminder of the destruction and harm that can result from engaging in forbidden relationships.
Mark 7:21-23
“For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
This verse reminds us that sexual immorality, including adultery, originates from the heart as an evil thought.
It underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of sin, ensuring that our hearts and minds are focused on purity and righteousness. It emphasizes the need for inner transformation rather than merely focusing on external actions.