Spiritual Adultery
It is alarming that some Christians don’t seem to understand what spiritual adultery is or how one might be involved in it. Some of these are the same people that wouldn’t think of “cheating” on a spouse as this is considered an egregious (flagrant) sin. A good definition for Adultery is: voluntary sexual relations with a married person other than one’s spouse.
There are a number of synonyms for adultery with which we are all familiar. Some of these are: Infidelity, Disloyalty, Betrayal and Faithlessness. Of course when these words are used in regard to a marital relationship, most folks think of physical marriage. Little do some realize that such a thing as “spiritual adultery” does exist, and there may very well be Christians involved in spiritual adultery, while not actually aware that they are.
We know what Jesus said in Matthew 19:9 regarding adultery. He is speaking of physical marriage in this passage. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. This is the understanding that most Christians have regarding this passage. In Deuteronomy 22:22 the Old Testament covenant God had with Israel, the penalty for adultery was death. The keeping of the Law of God in this case, was to put the evil away from Israel. If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. God has never condoned the breaking of vows. The vows a man and woman make in marriage are important. Should we think the vow we made with God is of any less importance?
In Jeremiah 3:14 we find that Israel was married to God. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: Then we find in Malachi 2:11 that after the kingdom of Israel was divided, Judah committed spiritual adultery. Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. They were not walking honestly before God. They were unfaithful.
In the New Testament, we find in Romans 7:2 the Law of God relative to marriage. When one spouse dies, the other is free to be married to another. For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. Then we see in Romans 7:4 we see to whom Christians are spiritually wed and that the Law (Old Testament) no longer bound the Jews to God. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. And we might also consider the language of 2Corinthians 11:2 in which the Spirit had Paul explain the relationship all Christians are to have with Christ. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, (Christ) that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Therefore, if we as Christians, attend services in religious organizations that are not the body of Christ, or participate with them in functions they authorize we are indeed committing spiritual adultery. By participating with them, we are also bidding them God speed. 2John 1:9-11 tells us that if we receive one that comes unto us and they “abide not in the doctrine of Christ” we are bidding them God speed. The same is true if we go to those who abide not in the doctrine of Christ. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Those of these other religious organizations are not married to Christ, and if we bid them God speed, or participate with them, we become partakers of their evil deeds.
This is also why in 2Corinthians 6:17 the Spirit had Paul tell the Corinthian brethren it was wrong to participate in the deeds of the world, those that falsely serve God, and those that serve false gods and what to do about it. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
As faithful Christians, let’s honor the vow we made with God, and remain truly faithful as part of the bride of Christ.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
