Spiritual adultery is unfaithfulness to God. It is having an undue fondness for the things of the world. Spiritual adultery is analogous to the unfaithfulness of one’s spouse: “‘But like a woman faithless to her lover, even so have you been faithless to me, O house of Israel,’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah 3:20; see also Isaiah 1:21; 57:8; Ezekiel 16:30).
The Bible tells us that people who choose to be friends with the world are an “adulterous people” having “enmity against God” (James 4:4–5). The “world” here is the system of evil under Satan’s control (John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 5:19). The world system, with its contrived and deceitful scheme of phony values, worthless pursuits, and unnatural affections, is designed to lure us away from a pure relationship with God. Spiritual adultery, then, is the forsaking of God’s love and the embracing of the world’s values and desires (Romans 8:7–8; 2 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 2:15–17).
Spiritual adultery includes any form of idolatry. In the Old Testament, the children of Israel tried to mix the worship of other gods such as Baal with that of God (Judges 3:7; 1 Kings 16:31–33; Jeremiah 19:5). In doing so, Israel became like an adulterous wife who wanted both a husband and another lover (Jeremiah 9:2; Ezekiel 6:9; 16:32). In the New Testament, James defines spiritual adultery as claiming to love God while cultivating friendship with the world (James 4:4–5). The person who commits spiritual adultery is one who professes to be a Christian yet finds his real love and pleasure in the things that Satan offers. For believers, the love of the world and the love of God are direct opposites. Believers committing spiritual adultery may claim to love the Lord, but, in reality, they are captivated by the pleasures of this world, its influence, comforts, financial security, and so-called freedoms.
The concept of spiritual adultery against God is a major theme throughout the Old Testament (Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:15–19). This theme is illustrated especially well in the book of Hosea. The prophet’s wife, Gomer, symbolizes the infidelity of the children of Israel (Hosea 2:2–5; 3:1–5; 9:1). Hosea’s commitment to Gomer symbolizes God’s faithful, patient love with His erring people.
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24). The Bible exhorts us, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:15–16). Believers must echo the words of the old hymn: “The world behind me, the cross before me; no turning back.”
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14–16). Spiritual adultery is like trying to straddle the fence with one foot in the world and the other in heaven. We cannot have both. As Jesus warned the church in Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16).
The love of the world is primarily an attitude of one’s heart, and we can cast away worldliness by cultivating a new affection. To avoid spiritual adultery, “set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2, KJV).
The word adultery is etymologically related to the word adulterate, which means “to render something poorer in quality by adding another substance.” Adultery is the adulteration of marriage by the addition of a third person. Adultery is voluntary sexual activity between a married person and someone other than his or her spouse.
The Bible begins its teaching on marriage with the pattern of Adam and Eve: one man and one woman, husband and wife, united by God (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:7–9). Adultery is forbidden by the seventh commandment: “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). The fact that the prohibition is simply stated with no explanation indicates that the meaning of adultery was well understood at the time Moses gave the law. Scripture is consistent in the prohibition against adultery.
In spite of the clarity of the original pattern of marriage and the prohibition against adultery, sinful humanity has developed ways to attempt to blur the lines of morality.
Polygamy is one way the prohibition against adultery has been to some extent circumvented. Polygamy is not technically adultery, although it does adulterate God’s original plan for marriage. In the Old Testament, polygamy was allowed by God but never endorsed by Him. Polygamy was not considered adultery because, although a third person (or perhaps a fourth, fifth, etc.) was added to the marriage, the additional women were legally included in the marriage. A polygamist who engaged in sexual activity with someone other than his legal wives was still committing adultery. Since polygamy is generally illegal in modern countries today, no third person can be legally added to a marriage.
Divorce and remarriage is another way that the prohibition against adultery has been circumvented. If a married man has an affair, he is committing adultery. However, if he divorces his wife and marries the other woman, then he maintains his “legal” footing. In most modern societies, this has become the norm.
Jesus puts both of these “strategies” to rest: “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery” (Luke 16:18). And, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery” (Mark 10:11–12). According to Jesus, divorce does not circumvent the prohibition against adultery. If a married man sees another woman, desires her sexually, divorces his wife, and marries the other woman, he still commits adultery. Since the marriage bond is intended to last a lifetime, divorce does not release one from the responsibility to be faithful to the original spouse. (On a related note, we recognize that in some cases Scripture allows divorce, and, when divorce is allowed, remarriage is also allowed without being considered adulterous.)
Jesus carried the prohibition against adultery even further than the Mosaic Law: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27–28). So, even if a man tries to “legally” avoid adultery by seeking divorce, he is already guilty because of the lust in his heart that drove him to such measures. If a man “legally” brings another woman into the marriage, making it a polygamous marriage, he is still guilty of adultery because of the lust in his heart that motivated him to marry another wife. Even if a man or woman simply indulges in lustful thoughts (pornography is especially problematic), then he or she is committing adultery even if no extramarital physical contact ever takes place. This explanation by Jesus avoids all of the nuances about “how far is too far” with someone other than a spouse, and it avoids the need to define what “sex” really is. Lust, not sex, is the threshold of adultery.
Proverbs 6 gives some stern warnings against committing adultery, giving “correction and instruction . . . keeping you from your neighbor’s wife” (verses 23–24). Solomon says,
“Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes. . . .
Another man’s wife preys on your very life.
Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?
Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?
So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife;
no one who touches her will go unpunished” (verses 25–29).
Adultery is deadly serious and brings God’s consequences. “A man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself” (Proverbs 6:32; cf. 1 Corinthians 6:18 and Hebrews 13:4).
A person who lives in unrepentant adultery gives evidence that he or she has not truly come to know Christ. But adultery is not unforgiveable, either. Any sin that a Christian commits can be forgiven when the Christian repents, and any sin committed by an unbeliever can be forgiven when that person comes to Christ in faith. “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers . . . will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–11). Notice that in the Corinthian church there were former adulterers, but they had been washed clean from their sin, sanctified, and justified.
Saying divorce + remarriage = adultery, is like saying 1+1=5
To apply Luke 16:18, as an argument against all instances of divorce and remarriage amounts to an example of eisegesis, (that means reading into a text what isn’t there).
Jesus was addressing a specific question with a specific response.
The Bible has much more to say on the topic of divorce and remarriage in other places.
An informed Bible student studies each topic comprehensively.
To conclude meanings before a thorough biblical investigation is complete results only in fallacious reasoning. (See the fallacy of the hasty generalization)
21467 says: are you sick sing folks really defending divorce and adulery??? 🤢
L’David responds: besides not making sense, how does your first statement move you argument forward⁉️
21467 says: and articles??? really using writings not found im the bible, witch are opinions of others BTW...
L’David responds: you just neutralized your own post because nothing you said is in the Bible and as you claim, opinions of others aren’t found in the Bible. So according to you—your own opinions don’t count. Thanks for invalidating yourself for me.
21467 says: ok what about Mark 10:2-12, Romans 7:2-3, Matthew 19:8-9, Malachi 2:16... the list goes on and on.
L’David responds: ok what about Mark 10:2-12 and Matthew 19:8-9, As anyone can see, if they are willing to read those passages in context, Jesus was asked a specific question. Jesus responded by giving a specific answer to the specific question asked. He did not address every single divorce situation in those passages.
What about Romans 7:2-3? Once again, another verse ripped from context by over zealous eisegetes (one who reads own opinions into the Bible). First of all, the passage says absolutely nothing about divorce and remarriage. Can you find those words in this passage?
Second, the subject of the passage, (looks like you missed it), is about Christ’s relationship to a believer. Verses 2-3 are used as an analogy (figure of speech) symbolizing the relationship of a Christian who dies to the law and becomes bound to Christ.
And finally, what about Malachi 2:16 “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the LORD Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.?
The passage from Malachi, (if you had read the entire passage), might well compare to passages from Mark and Matthew—in this one way—no one, of whom the passages concern, had rights to divorce and remarriage.
What about your “...list that goes on and on”⁉️Tell ma, does that “list” look like⁉️
Maybe you ought to read passages of scripture that actually teach the full scope of divorce and remarriage. You might start with a passage like 1 1Corinthians 7. This passage covers 4 classes of people. Some are virgins, some are unmarried, some are widows and some are those who are married.
Caveat: You should try to reject your own unfounded unbiblical feelings and try to understand what the original author wants you to know. How does he identify each class?
