The 7th Commandment : Thou Shalt not Commit Adultery

This is the 1st in a series of articles on Sexual Immorality. Most of us have experienced sexual immorality in some form or another, but have you ever actually considered the collateral damage it causes; how it affects not only the immediate family, but friends and associates as well? Society tends to portray sex as something that we have no control over. Society urges us to follow through with our worldly desires, but because we know the Word, we must “Watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak,” Matthew 26:41.

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” –1 Corinthians 6:9-10

One of the first acts of sexual immorality that comes to mind for most people is adultery. According to the Ten Commandments you should not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14). What is adultery? It’s having sexual relations with people other than your spouse. Many think adultery only covers married couples, but it also concerns the unmarried. Sex should not be a part of any relationship outside of marriage. Having intercourse should not be a reward for having a good time- another date with your perspective partner should be the reward. So if you have sex before getting married, then you have committed adultery against your future spouse.

If you truly love someone, then just being with them is the greatest reward you can have. If it quickly gets to the point where you can no longer resist the carnal pull of having sex to show your affection, then perhaps it wasn’t love after all. By agreeing to wait until after marriage to have sex, a true relationship will survive the test of time as you get to know your future spouse. The true test of your loyalty is by controlling your sexual desires; it proves to your intended spouse that you will remain loyal to them, no matter how tempted you may be from each other or anyone else. By exhibiting self-control it’s a good sign that you will keep the marriage bed pure. When both are willing to share their bodies with each other, but refuse to give in to that desire until the marriage is consummated shows true commitment and the utmost respect for your intended spouse. This in turn proves to God that you can be committed to Christ and are exhibiting a strong spiritual walk. You have proven that you can avoid temptation and can deny the fleshy desires that might otherwise be harmful physically and spiritually. Keeping your own virginity should be your goal, and one way to do this is to remember the scriptures found in 1 Corinthians 6:15-20:

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

By having sexual relationships before marriage, you are committing adultery against Christ Himself. As long as you are single you should be devoting your time to Christ and building a strong spiritual base to strengthen your physical walk here on earth. And if you desire to be married, that strong spiritual base will help you deal with the stress and responsibility of having a lasting relationship with your future spouse and raising a family.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

In what ways have you prepared yourself and/or your own children to avoid committing adultery in this “free love and do what feels good” society?