NO ADULTERY! BE FAITHFUL BECAUSE GOD IS FAITHFUL
To “adulterate” means to make something impure by adding a foreign substance—something that lowers its quality. Our lives are gifts from God, yet when we disobey Him, we allow sin to contaminate what He intended to be pure.
The commandments God gave reflect who He is. Before giving the Ten Commandments, He first revealed Himself (Exodus 20:1–2). Because of who God is, He commands, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). His laws are not meant to restrict us, but to set us free—to bring joy, peace, and order into our lives.
Obedience to God is true worship—our proper response to who He is, what He has done, and what He continues to do.
Commandment | Character of God |
No other gods | God is unique—there is no one like Him |
No idols | God alone is worthy of worship |
Honor God’s name | God is holy and must be revered |
Keep the Sabbath | God is our rest and provider |
Honor father and mother | God is our Father |
Do not murder | God is the Author of life |
No adultery | God is faithful |
1. Deadly Disease: The Adultery Pandemic
Adultery, in the literal sense, is sexual unfaithfulness within marriage. But no one is immune—whether single or married, this command applies to all of us.
Jesus raised the standard even higher. Just as anger can be equated with murder, lust is equated with adultery (Matthew 5:27–28). This reveals how serious this sin is—it begins in the heart.
Spiritually, adultery is unfaithfulness to God. Any form of idolatry—placing something or someone above Him—is spiritual adultery. Even if we remain sexually pure, we can still be unfaithful to God by giving our devotion to something else.
The consequences of adultery are devastating:
• Broken trust between spouses
• Separation or divorce
• Emotional and financial strain
• Children losing security and stability
• Generational patterns of brokenness/infidelity
God treated adultery seriously in the Old Testament because He desired a holy people (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22).
The Roman empire witnessed in amazement that early Christians “believed in giving large proportion of their income to the poor” and that there should be “no sex outside of marriage” and Christianity won the day… (Tim Keller). This distinctiveness helped Christianity spread powerfully.
If we want to impact the world today, we must also live countercultural lives marked by holiness and joyful obedience. We must stop excusing sin:
• “My needs weren’t met”
• “I was unhappy or bored”
• “It just happened”
• “It was only once”
• “It was just online/porn/A.I.”
God views adultery as spouses dealing treacherously against each other and therefore rejects their “offerings” to Him (Malachi 2:13–14).
God sees everything—we cannot hide from Him. Consider the ingredients for adultery:
1. Poor view of God
2. Period of time
3. Place (even in the mind)
4. Partner (even through a screen or device)
We see all of these in David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1–4). The sin didn’t begin in the act—it began in the heart.Scripture warns us: the heart is the source of sin (Matthew 15:19). We must guard it carefully.
Idolatry is deeply serious—it is likened to adultery and even murder (Jeremiah 5:7; Ezekiel 23:37). Even good things—family, career, comfort—can become idols if they replace God. Friendship with the world can lead to spiritual unfaithfulness (James 4:4). As the bride of Christ, we are called to remain faithful to Him (2 Corinthians 11:2–3).
2. Divine Cure: The Faithfulness of God
While adultery brings serious consequences, there is also hope—redemption through Jesus Christ.
God’s faithfulness never changes—it is His very nature (2 Timothy 2:13). His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22–23). Our faithfulness is a response to His.
When we truly experience God’s faithfulness, it transforms how we live:
• We become faithful to Him
• We become faithful in our relationships
• We begin to value purity and integrity
No matter how broken or hopeless things may seem, you can rely on God’s faithfulness. He is able to restore, renew, and transform. He can take the “garbage” we’ve allowed into our lives and turn it into something beautiful for His glory.
So get to know the God behind the commandment. Worship Him. Obey Him. Because as God is faithful, we are called to be faithful—to Him, to our spouses, and to the people He has placed in our lives.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Have you had any experience — directly or indirectly — regarding adultery? How did that impact you?
Have you ever committed spiritual adultery? Share your experience.
How has God been faithful to you? How will you best respond to His faithfulness?
PRAY CARE SHARE IN ACTION
Pray for those you know who have experienced and traumatized by adultery.
Pray for God’s redemption and healing to flow into their lives through your witness and ministry to them.
Share the gospel of Jesus to them that they may come to know the God behind the commandments and experience His great faithfulness.