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Nipping Adultery in the Bud
Topics: Church Article
Posted by FBC Wed Apr 2, 2008 09:33:03 PDT
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0 responses 1 comment Location: 1049 South Curry Ave., Tehachapi, CA 93561

Though our society takes adultery lightly, God does not!  It’s listed right after murder in the Ten Commandments.  Exodus 20:13-14 reads, “You shall not murder.  You shall not commit adultery.”  God made adultery a capital offense in the Old Testament:  If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife – with the wife of his neighbor – both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death” (Leviticus 20:11).

     God promised to judge those who are adulterers:  “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” (Hebrews13:4).  Adultery destroys friendships, marriages and families.  It contributes to the destruction of many children’s lives and finally to the destruction of society itself.

     How can one avoid the sin of adultery? Is the solution just making sure that you don’t commit the actual act?  Or, is there a way to “nip it in the bud”? 

     Let’s look at what Jesus taught.  He tells us that to “Look at a woman to lust her” (Matthew 5:28) is to be guilty of adultery.  Now, it is not the “looking” but the lusting for her that is wrong.  In other words, to look with a lustful eye.  To lust means a strong desire for, to possess and dominate completely.  A person may look at another with admiration for beauty and not be guilty of “lust”. 

     The solution to the problem begins in the heart.  It’s the heart that needs to change; our hearts need to be set on doing the will of God.  Maybe we need to not read the books, watch the movies, and stay off the internet except in the presence of our families.  If we can prevent the lusting in the heart, the problem of adultery is nipped in the bud.  Take drastic measures in getting rid of whatever in the natural course of events will cause you to sin.  Such should be the cause in regards to all sin, not only the sin of adultery.    

     The present life is not our only life; we are destined for Eternity. Nothing, no matter how precious, should be allowed to doom our glorious destiny.  Sin, being a very destructive force, must not be pampered!  Our family, friends, our lives, and especially our testimony to the lost, are far too precious to allow the sin of adultery to destroy them.

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Comment From: taratreaster

I think the T.V., books, movies, and the internet are all secondary issue with-in our society when it comes to adultery. Your first statement speaks more to what I believe is the real root of this evil, "our society takes adultery lightly". People who are already mindful of any possible "lust" in their own heart will already have done the things you've suggested. It is those who are NOT mindful and are seeking out with lust in their own heart that can become a real problem. What angers me most is how much the children see when it comes to adultery. I hate to say it, but this issue has almost become common. Our children are growing up in a time when adultery is not as big of a deal as it use to be(publicly). So many children are seeing their own parents role model this behavior for them. Even if one lives a Christian life and follows the advise you've given above, children are still exposed to their friends, parents "issues" through school. It does not even need to be a friend, "so and so's mom is getting divorce because their dad was..." The solution will need to be more than monitoring the lust in our hearts. We must also educate our (teen) children against those seeking out to be lustful with intent. If the view of society is to ever change it will be because of the way we elect to raise this next generation. We do have an up hill battle in front of us, because of the T.V. movies, internet, music, and so on...But we have to stand up and be parents to our children. It is our job.