Commandment #7: Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery (Exodus 20:14)
2023-04-06
Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)
Like murder, a violation of this command was death. “And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death” (Leviticus 20:10).
However, Jesus also elaborated what else this command meant: “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). You can commit adultery without doing anything but thinking about it.
He elaborated again, “It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery” (Matthew 5:31-32). Divorce with remarriage is also adultery.
Why the big deal about adultery in all its forms? It is because marriage pictures Christ and the Church. Because it is a sacred picture of this most holy union, God is zealous in protecting it. Also, adultery affects and hurts so many people. You not only betray someone who trusted you, any children also will be affected as well.
Be careful when you marry. You must go in knowing that all other would-be spouses are disqualified forever.
His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given (Matthew 19:10-11).