It is commonplace in our culture today for men and women to commit adultery. It is promoted constantly by television shows, movies, magazines, and social media. This immoral act is fed by those who are greedy and use the desire for sex as a way to make a lot of money. The theme is “sex sells”. Why is this a big problem?
First of all we need to consider God’s view of adultery. At one time Abraham was afraid of the king of Gerar and told the king that Sarah, his beautiful wife, was his sister. So the king took Sarah into his house. Then God spoke to the king and said, “What have you done? You are a dead man because you have another man’s wife in your house!” (Gen.20:3). The king had not touched Sarah. The king stated his innocence and took Sarah to Abraham, and rebuked Abraham for lying to him. But what was God’s view? God was telling him that he was the same as dead, he was set to get the death penalty for committing adultery. It is a very serious sin to God! Has God’s standard changed? No, not at all! It is still a very serious sin even though we may think it is not. Moreover, Jesus said if a man looks to lust on a woman, then he commits adultery! Just the lust in a man’s heart is adultery to God!
Oh! Then many men and young men are in trouble! Everywhere you look there are temptations to lust after a beautiful woman! It is considered stylish for women to dress in a way to seduce males. Many men and women think there is no problem with sex outside of marriage! They do not know the truth! Or they do not think it is important to obey God. People do this act all the time and think there is no consequence- or is there? There are very tragic consequences! They are not always seen immediately.
Here are some consequences of adultery (sex outside of marriage):
· A woman is used and treated as an object to satisfy a man temporarily. Her life and his life are both ruined to some extent.
· A woman does not have a man to be her husband, protector, and provider. Her life is much less than it should be.
· When an unwanted pregnancy occurs, the baby is aborted-killed. This is a horrible sin in our nation! About 3,500 babies are aborted EVERY DAY! It is unimaginable that this many babies are piled up and discarded every day!! Now over 50 million children have been aborted in the United States! This is unthinkable! Does God care? Will He bring judgment for these murders committed each day? He certainly will! We must do all we can to stop this great sin against life!!!
· Frequently adultery causes a man to leave his wife and children. He walks away from his responsibility. This leaves a mother alone to try to provide for children. Frequently the children are neglected because the mother has to work to meet financial needs. Neglected children tend to be unruly and get into trouble. Also the wife may leave her husband, causing him to try to raise the children without a mother. Again children are neglected and get into trouble. It hurts a family. It hurts a community. Lives are ruined.
· To solve the marriage problem when a partner leaves, one may remarry. Hopefully this partner can replace the one who left. Unfortunately, this sometimes causes other relationship problems in the home between the children and the step-parent. Sometimes young children are sexually abused by a step-parent or by an older sibling brought into the home. Lives are ruined.
· Adultery causes the spread of diseases. STDs are not usually detected immediately, so people think there is not a problem until it is too late and they have a disease. AIDS is the greatest problem. Having multiple sex partners causes the continual spread of AIDS. We spend millions of dollars in research to stop AIDS when we could end the problem if people would stop committing adultery! Many lives are ruined!
· Homosexual acts are another form of adultery. It is sex outside of the marriage between a man and a woman. It is a perverted form of sex that leads to much sadness and misery. Young boys and girls are lured into this lifestyle and are also treated as sex objects. Many lives are ruined!
· A great tragedy is happening because young girls are being sold as sex slaves here in our country! Some young boys are also sold as sex slaves. Who would think slavery would continue here? Who would think we could allow girls or boys to be treated this way? This is what happens when we disobey God! Many lives are ruined! If men would not seek sex outside of marriage, this business would stop.
· The desire for money is a great motivator for all the evil listed above! People use sexual attraction to sell anything. Pornography is a billion dollar business! Pimps control girls to make money from prostitution. The abortion industry is a billion dollar business! Planned parenthood gets millions of dollars by promoting the abortion industry and encouraging youth to be sexually active. Many people have so much greed, they will do anything to make money, having no respect for the welfare of others or no respect for God.
· The list goes on and on just because of sexual sin- adultery and greed!
So what is our situation? I believe God would say to us, “YOU ARE A DEAD MAN”. We are facing serious judgment by God! Is there any hope? We can’t change the media, movie industry, abortion industry, and all who promote sin.
BUT WE CAN CHANGE OURSELVES. WE MUST REPENT AND CALL OTHERS TO REPENT ALSO! It is the heart of each one of us, as individuals, that must change. We must return to reverence and fear of God! We cannot ignore his commands! His way is best! As stated above, to disobey God and commit adultery, brings much more misery and human suffering than we could imagine! That is the Devil’s plan. Death and destruction are the results of following the Devil and his ways.
God’s plan for sexuality is good. He intended this to be an important part of the relationship between a husband and a wife. In this situation, a wife is loved, cared for, provided for, and protected. Also children are a welcomed result of the sexual relationship. This way they have two parents to love them, guide them, and protect them. God’s plan for sex is natural and works for the good of everyone!
So what can we do? Here are some suggestions:
· Pray and ask for God’s forgiveness for your specific sins
· Resolve to avoid anything that promotes adultery, immorality, and pornography: TV, movies, music, magazines, computer sites, etc.
· Men should resolve not to look and lust after a woman that is not his wife. Women should dress modestly to avoid causing a man to have lustful thoughts.
· Speak out against sexual sins as you have opportunity. Many people do not know what tragic things are happening. Also many do not know they are sinning against God.
· Pray for God’s mercy to stop abortions
· Get informed and Vote on issues that could limit sexual abuse
· Assist in organizations like a Crisis Pregnancy Center
· Make donations to Pro-Life organizations
· The biggest thing is that the hearts of people must change so there is a desire to avoid sin and power to overcome sin. This will only happen when people receive Jesus into their heart and are saved. We need to do all we can to lead others to Christ. This is the true hope for our nation.
If Jeremiah were alive today, I think the problem of sexual sin and greed would be at the top of his list to call for repentance. I truly believe that is where we are today. I do not expect to stand and preach on the street corner. I do think we need to get the message out. We have computers and we have email. We can convey the message as much as possible and hope many will join us in repentance. I will send this to those that I can influence. If each one does the same, together we can make a difference. We can influence many lives of our friends. Who knows we might even influence the whole nation and the whole world!
