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The 1631 edition of the King James Bible infamously became known as the Wicked Bible due to a printing error of Exodus 20:14. Because editors inadvertently omitted the word “not” from the verse, God’s marital commandment read, “Thou shalt commit adultery!” Though only ten to fifteen copies of the misprint remain, a quick survey of our modern commitment to marriage aligns better with the adulterous version of Scripture.
Roughly 70% of television and streaming programs contain sexual content. Around a third of popular sitcoms include adultery as a major plot or theme. According to the General Social Survey, one out of five married men cheat on their spouses while one out of seven women choose to do the same. The commonality of sexual deviance, however, does not make it harmless.
Despite these cultural trends, I remain convinced that most people, even in our permissive society, do not desire to live immorally. Recent surveys suggest that 89% of Americans realize that adultery is wrong (Pew Research). Chances are, someone reading these words is fighting this sin, leaving you feeling trapped and defeated. Many people who love Jesus simply lose their way and find it difficult to get back on the straight and narrow path (Matthew 7:13-14).
Thankfully, failure and wickedness do not have to be the end of our story. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses not only the eternal consequences of adultery, but also its internal causes (Matthew 5:27-30). In doing so, He reveals that sexual sin is not only evidenced by what we do, but also by what we desire.
Jesus first acknowledges the straightforward declaration of the Ten Commandments; You shall not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18). His effort to raise the standard of our understanding is not an indictment of the Old Testament, but a correction of the misinterpretations of the scribes and Pharisees, who diminished the importance of the command (Matthew 5:27).
Dooley
Simply put, the Bible forbids any sexual relationship outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. “Marriage is to be held in honor among all,” says the writer of Hebrews, “and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge (Hebrews 13:4).” Adultery, by definition, is the choice of a husband or wife to share a sexual act with anyone who is not their spouse. Due to the sacredness of marriage, a single man or woman can also be guilty of infidelity by choosing to participate in a physical affair.
Long before we dishonor God with our hands, though, something is amiss in our hearts. To help us, Jesus moves from the reality of adultery to its root, teaching that to look at another lustfully is indicative of a cheating heart (Matthew 5:28). Here, the emphasis is not a coincidental glance, but a carnal gaze. Lust causes us to want what we do not have, making it impossible to enjoy what we do have. Ultimately, whatever we rest our eyes upon has the power to control us.
Serious believers must take an introspective look and be honest about what is there in order to heed Jesus’ words. What do our private longings reveal about our hearts? What do our media habits show? What do we dwell upon that no one else sees? What do our secret fantasies reveal? What do our thought patterns expose? Part of preventing adultery is refusing to hide in our deepest struggles.
By facing our temptations with honesty, we are ready to take action. Jesus employs hyperbolic language to motivate us to abandon anything that prevents our purity, destroys our marriage, or hinders our spiritual growth (Matthew 5:29-30). The suggestion to gouge out our eye or cut off our hand is not a literal command. The implication is that no sacrifice is too great if it helps us avoid devastating sin.
So, if adultery is destroying your life already or germinating in your soul, let me suggest three steps back toward God. First, repent honestly. Refuse to make excuses. Do not blame your spouse. Own your transgression. When King David forsook his marriage vows with Bathsheba, he pleaded with God due to his self-identified iniquity, transgressions, and sin (Psalms 51:1-4). Infidelity is not an unforgivable sin, but a great evil that we must acknowledge and turn from.
Second, remove any stumbling blocks that feed or protect your sin. Jesus is not calling us to self-harm, but to ruthless honesty over our weaknesses. Refuse to spend time alone with the opposite sex. End unhealthy relationships. Delete apps from your phone. Install accountability software on your devices. Resist movies or music that feed you incessant lies about sexual desire or fulfillment.
Finally, depend upon Christ to change your heart. Ultimately, only God can transform our desires and ambitions. No legalistic list can substitute the supernatural work of God’s grace. Again, King David is illustrative as he prayed for a clean heart and a renewed spirit (Psalms 51:10-12). So, dwell on the beauty of Christ and His work. Seek to joy in Him more than this world. Pursue the satisfaction of holiness rather than the fleeting pleasures of sin. Christ will not only forgive, but He will also transform us and set us free. B&R – Adam B. Dooley is pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson and author of “Hope When Life Unravels.”
