Adultery

Timeless Truths for Troubled Times #7

The Destructive Power of Adultery

Ex 20:14

a. In 1631 a new edition was produced but due to a printer's error the word "not" was left out of this verse.

2. This seventh commandment is the Creator's law that guards the chastity of marriage, the sanctity of the family and the preservation of society

3. Violation of this commandment has been a source of untold broken homes, countless wrecked lives and even a source of disease and death

d. The advertising industry uses sex appeal to sell everything from toothpaste to soap

c. Christianity Today randomly polled 1000 of its subscribers and 45% said that they had acted inappropriately and 23% said that they had committed adultery.

9. Jesus called his generation "adulterous and sinful" - what would He say about our generation?

10. God is still against adultery - He still hates it - He still punishes those guilty of this sin.

I. Marriage is the Highest Relationship Known to Man

· The first couple ever married was the work of God's creation and the first wedding ever performed was by the Creator Himself.

· Marriage is a duality designed by God in which a man and woman enter into a relationship as husband and wife

A. God's Creation of a Mate - Gen 2:18-23

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

1. Everything that God created had a companion except man

2. So God, in His goodness, created a mate or helper for Adam

3. Since God is the designer and creator of marriage it would be folly to leave him out of the process of marriage

4. When you look at the first marriage, you see the depth of God's involvement and this reminds us of the need of God in a marriage

B. Preparation - Gen 2:21-22 ß

1. Marriage ought to be the bringing together of two people by God

2. God had a specific partner in mind for Adam and God prepared that partner

3. Wise is the couple who married God's prepared mate

C. Presentation - vs 22 - "and brought her unto the man"

1. God not only prepared Adam's mate, he also brought her into his life

2. It is tragic and dangerous as we see young people leave God out of their dating and marriage plans

3. If a young person will walk with God and wait on God, then He will bring that special person into your life

4. Like the girl who prayed earnestly, "God please send me a husband." Finally she asked her pastor why God had not answered her prayer. He told her that she was praying selfishly. She began praying, "God please give my mother a son-in-law."

5. Solomon said, "A prudent wife is from the Lord" - Prov 19:14

6. A husband or wife should come from the Lord

II. Adultery Damages Your Spouse

1. When a man and woman marry - they become one flesh - Gen 2:24

2. When one becomes involved with someone outside that marriage then they damage that bond - 1Cor 6:16

3. Adultery says to innocent spouse - "You weren't good enough for me

4. The self-esteem of the innocent party is damaged

5. Adultery destroys trust - the innocent party will have difficulty trusting the other spouse

6. One's spiritual influence is compromised when one stoops to committing adultery

7. Children lose respect for that parent

III. Adultery Damages Your Self

Pr 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. 32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

1. There is a terrible price to pay for adultery

2. Adultery in believers indicates a backslidden condition

3. It becomes easier and easier to commit adultery as the devil attacks in that area

4. It is possible to commit adultery in one's heart - Matt 5:28

5. Adultery destroys your witness and testimony

a) Example of the televangelists

b) Commit adultery and then try to tell a lost person how to be saved

c) Nathan's words to David still ring true today - 2Sam 12:14

IV. Adultery Damages Society

Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

1. As the family goes, so goes society

2. Every great empire was fallen apart because of immorality

3. We need to covenant together that we will guard our homes and our lives against these evil sins

4. Immorality in the life of church members can tarnish the entire work of God - 1Cor 5:6

5. Your sin is not a private affair - it hurts our church

6. God's desire is that this behavior never be found in His people

V. Adultery Damages the Savior

1. Saved people want to please their Lord

2. Nothing displeases Him more than adultery

3. Sadly, this is the last area that we consider, but it is the greatest

4. Adultery was the "great sin" of Gen 20:9; 39:9

5. Adultery was punishable by death - Lev 20:10

6. Adultery destroys the picture of the Lord and His church

VI. Avoid the Trap of Adultery

A. Walk with God - Gal 5:16

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

1. Have ammunition ready when temptation comes - Eph 6:10-17

2. Stay in the Bible, church, prayer

B. Guard Your Eyes - Job 31:1

1. Don't look at pornography

2. Avoid the soap operas

3. Stay away from the romance novels

4. A young man was brought up in a good family. He was active in his youth group at church. His grandfather introduced him to pornographic books. He fed his thoughts on porn. Soon the soft porn no longer gave him a thrill, so he progressed to hardcore pornography. When it would no longer satisfy, he turned to rape. Then he progressed to raping, killing and mutilating helpless girls. This man was Ted Bundy who was interviewed before his execution by Dr. James Dobson .

C. Guard Your Heart - Prov 4:23

1. Thinking about sin makes it easier to commit the sin

2. Determine to remain pure even if others laugh at you

D. Avoid Filthy Relationships

1. Stay away from that person who is "flirty"

2. That friendship could lead to immorality

3. A little flirtation could lead to big-time adultery

E. Maximize Your Marriage

1. A growing relationship with your spouse reduces the attraction of an affair

2. Become aware of the needs of your spouse and meet them

3. Become such an incredible partner that your spouse would have to be an idiot to go elsewhere

F. Count the Cost

1. An affair will bring immeasurable pain and devastation to your children and set a bad example for them. It is hard to overestimate the trust that children put in parents. Your integrity forms part of the foundation for their personal security.

2. An affair will destroy your opportunity to bring others to a relationship with the Lord. Family, friends, neighbors will lose respect for you, especially in spiritual matters.

3. Your partner will feel violated, inadequate and rejected.

4. You will bring disgrace to God’s name and reputation.

5. Your conscience will be forever seared.

G. Love Your Mate Only - Prov 5:15-21

15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. 16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. 17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. 18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. 20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? 21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.