At one time in the English speaking countries, a great stigma was attached to adultery. Increasingly, however, that is not the case. No longer is a mistress an indulgence for the wealthy. Traveling businessmen would not think it extraordinary to have a “companion” for the evening especially since the “best” hotels offer the “service.” The marriage which endures through two or three affairs is rated “sound.” And few regard a second marriage following a “no fault” divorce as adultery. With increasing rapidity the standards of society are dropping to wholly endorse the lusts of the flesh.
God’s standards, however, are dear and unchanging on this matter. Under the law both the adulterous partner and the illicit companion faced the death penalty (Lev. 20:10). Through the prophets, adultery was equated with whoredoms (Jer. 3:8-9) and the strongest denunciation of idolatrous Israel is that she was like an adulterous wife (Ezek. 16:32; 23:37). In briefly summarizing the commands, the prohibition of adultery is prominently listed first both by the Lord (Lk. 18:20) and by the apostle Paul (Rom. 13:9). When seventeen works of the flesh are listed including murder, hatred and idolatry, the apostle puts adultery at the very top of the list. And “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:1921). No matter what contemporary law codes may say to the world, the Lord says to us, “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” (Matt. 19:9). Throughout the Word the message is clear; those committing adultery imperil their lives. Whatever current standards and practices might be, God views adultery as one of the most heinous of sins.
But, we protest, forgiveness is possible for adultery — look at David, and Hosea’s wife and the nation of Israel and the woman brought before Jesus. That may be the case, murder, deceit, malice and idolatry can be forgiven too, but that does not minimize the seriousness of the sins. Proper recovery of the sinner is important. That consideration, however, must in no way weaken our forthright emphasis on the seriousness of adultery.
Keep the Pattern Clear
The relationship of Christ and the ecclesia as a pattern for marriage provides a continuing exhortation to right conduct. Does Christ betray the ecclesia? Is he unreliable so that the ecclesia can not trust him? Does the true bride take another husband? Far from being unfaithful, Christ continually seeks the well-being of the ecclesia and the true ecclesia stedfastly determines to be uncompromising in its loyalty to him.
God sets before us a pattern to be emulated, an ideal for which to strive; He has designated that two might become one, one in concern for the other’s welfare, one in submission to the other’s need, one in objective in raising a godly family. He requires a binding together in holiness and humility, a uniting epitomized by a total loyalty in their physical union, a uniting that reflects in its beauty the uniting of His Son with his beloved.
When God’s perspective is appreciated, His concern for the state of the mind in this matter is understood. As a yearning in our thoughts after mammon is called covetousness, which is idolatry, so a seeking in our hearts after another partner is adultery (Matt. 5:28). We are to have our hearts set on a right course, with our eyes looking to the ideal pattern and desiring in our inner man to emulate it. Right conduct in this matter is to be more than outward compliance. It is to be governed by more than fear of ecclesial censure or public shame or financial complication. Right conduct is to dwell deep in our hearts as we earnestly strive to live out a relationship that reflects the pattern of Christ and the ecclesia.
Job’s Precaution
Job saw the problem, he feared the sin. He realized his step could turn aside from the way; his eyes could relish and his heart could follow (Job 31:7). He determined he would not sin in this regard so he took a precaution to stop the process of unfaithfulness before it should begin. “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” (31:1). He had determined that if his step would follow his heart after his heart had followed his eyes, then the place to stop the process was at the beginning. He would not gaze upon a maid, he would not allow the physical attraction to begin its work in the lusts of the flesh.
Since his intent was to do right and not experiment with sin, he set about to deliberately channel himself in the right way.
Do Not Come Close to Sin
Exhortation in Proverbs reinforces the example of Job: “Enter not into the path of evil. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it and pass away.” (Prov. 9:14, 15). The one who wants to do right takes note of the path that leads to compromise and ultimately to iniquity. He notes it and deliberately avoids it. He does not start down the road to satisfy initial desire but he avoids it altogether because he realizes the weakness of the flesh and respects the ordinances of God.
Joseph saw the issue clearly; he saw the issue was holiness before God and determined he would not sin against Him. Therefore he not only refused to satisfy Potiphar’s wife, but he also avoided her company, seeking to keep as much distance as possible between himself and temptation (Gen. 39:10). When the crisis point was reached, he did not begin to temporize, rather he “fled and got him out” of the house (v. 12). “Remove thy way far from her” is the course of godliness, the course which Joseph followed (Prov. 5:8).
The Middle Years
There is a particular problem in this regard which may trap some brethren unawares. In their middle years, they may find their wives physically less appealing as the years of childbirth and child care take their toll They may find, too, that some younger women enjoy the company of older men. The two factors working together can present sore temptation in a form the mature brother had not anticipated.
While the problem may be new to him, it is not new to the Word. “Rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and the pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love” (Prov. 5:18-19).
The situation in mind is evident: the husband took a wife in earlier days, one who wholly satisfied his love. Years have now gone by, but let him continue to be satisfied. Let him not pass by the way of evil or stand by the door of sin.
The brother of middle years is forewarned. The Lord anticipates the problem and speaks firmly to it. Let the husband set a deliberate course of no compromise.
Let him make a covenant with his eyes, a covenant not to begin a process that often leads to disaster.
The exhortation is clear to husband and wife, to younger and older, do not commit adultery Realizing the weakening standards about us, understanding the seriousness of the issue, appreciating the beauty of the pattern, let us determine to be faithful to our partners and our God that we do not commit this sin against Him.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One