Adultery and the Christian

As a Christian, we know and understand the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and even though our sins are forgiven when we believe in Him, we are still commanded to turn from sin. Throughout the Bible, there are many verses that point out these sins the Christian is to avoid and it is important to understand what God considers a sin. As I read through these sins, many are mentioned multiple times and in various places in the Bible. Sins of a sexual nature seem to appear more often in the Bible and my personal belief is because they are the most prevalent in society and the hardest to avoid.

It is easy for the Christian to criticize or judge those that exhibit the most blatant of sexual sins, but there are sexual sins that have become so common that we tend to disregard them as normal. Adultery or a person having an affair is one of those sins. Obviously we know that if you are married, it is wrong to have an affair outside of your marriage, but we have become so complacent when we see it. How often do you see someone on TV or in a movie that falls in love with another person other than his or her spouse? How often do you see someone in your church that divorces because his or her marriage is no longer exciting? Then my favorite excuse is when someone says my spouse no longer fulfills my needs and looks for love and excitement in another person. Sure, there are real reasons for couples to divorce and separate, but the lack of sexual excitement is not one of them.

It is easy to remember when we first became involved with an individual how exciting it was getting to know that person. The chemistry of a first date and the sparks that flew with the first kiss were all very exciting. However, if the relationship progresses and even into marriage, that initial excitement changes. It may very well become better; full of deeper emotions than the initial excitement, but it is not automatic. All relationships will go through various stages and it is unrealistic to think the excitement of those first few dates can be sustained. However, in each stage of a relationship there are aspects to be enjoyed but only if there is a commitment to the other. Without getting too deep, the last and final stage of a relationship, after the kids have started their own lives, is the most fulfilling time of any relationship. We all can smile when we see a couple that enjoys playing with the grandkids, traveling and spending their golden years together. This time did not just happen, they were committed to each other and I believe it is God’s gift to them for a committed life together.

Adultery interferes with this natural development of a relationship. It is the lack of a commitment by one of the partners, looking for excitement in another person rather than creating it with their partner. Marriage is the union of one man and one woman, created by God and through this union you have the ability to create life itself. God wants the best for us and it is through this natural union and commitment we find God’s blessings. Adultery is a sin, the Bible tells us so and not only are we warned to avoid it but we must be careful not to condone it within the people around us. We must not judge a person, but adultery cannot become accepted practice of the Christian.