The Ten Commandments

7th: “You Shall Not Commit Adultery”

Exodus 20:14

Here is another commandment that seems easy at first glance.  

“Do not cheat on my spouse.” Duh. Easy. No problem. Check.

But, according to the Bible and Jesus’ teachings, we do not need to be married or in a committed relationship to be in danger of committing adultery.

In Matthew, Jesus teaches that with our EYES alone we commit the sin in our hearts. This can involve books, movies, television, pictures and dressing provocatively. We often will rationalize our behavior towards these worldly things.

“EVERYBODY does it.”

“It’s JUST a movie.”

“It’s not THAT bad.”

“There was only a FEW bad words.”

“I WILL NOT model the behavior that I am watching/reading.”

“NOBODY will know but ME.”

“It makes me FEEL good.”

But the truth is when we KNOWINGLY break God’s law, it hardens our heart to the sin. We begin to find it easier and easier to divert our attention from good things and find ourselves devoting more and more time to the sin.

It is INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS because we may not even realize it is happening until it becomes a habit. Habits are hard to break.

It also can create UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS and lead to disappointment in current or future relationships.

Sex in marriage is pure and good. Do not let society cheapen it into a biological drive that needs to be fulfilled. It was made by God to be an intimate bond that strengthens marriage. Outside of marriage Paul teaches that we cannot commit sin with our bodies and not damage our souls. “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord.” I Corinthians 6:13b  

What Did Jesus say about the 7th Commandment?

• Matthew 5:27-30-Jesus said that even if you “look at a woman lustfully, you have already committed adultery with your heart”.
• Matthew 19:18, Mark 10:19 and Luke 18:20-Jesus repeats the commandment and confesses that “All these I have kept since I was a boy.”

-Roxanne Harlien