Flee from adultery
Leviticus 20:10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. 20:11 And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
One of the most destructive sins that can ruin lives, marriages, and society is adultery. The scripture passage today is part of God’s instruction to the Israelites, setting a firm boundary against adultery and sexual immorality. This is not just about physical sin; it is about betrayal, broken trust, and the tearing apart of what God has ordained as holy.
God designed marriage to be a sacred covenant between one man and one woman. It is a union where trust, love, and faithfulness are central. From the beginning, in Genesis 2:24, we see the divine plan: “A man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Marriage is meant to reflect the faithfulness of God to His people. When adultery occurs, it violates the very heart of this covenant.
Leviticus 20:10-11 highlights the seriousness with which God views adultery. In ancient Israel, adultery wasn’t just a private matter; it was an offense against the society and against God. The penalty was death, not because God is harsh but because the sin of adultery brings death to relationships, death to families, and death to society. Even though we are no longer under the Old Testament law of physical punishment, the spiritual consequences of adultery remain severe.
Adultery begins in the heart long before any physical act. In Matthew 5:28, Jesus says, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Jesus raises the standard even higher, showing us that the issue of adultery is deeply rooted in our desires. It’s about the state of our heart—what we entertain in our thoughts, what we long for when no one is watching.
The heart that entertains lust and infidelity is a heart that is slowly drifting away from God. It’s easy to rationalize, saying, “It’s just a thought” or “It’s harmless flirting,” but these small seeds can grow into full-blown sin. This is why we are called to "flee" from temptation, not just avoid it.
The consequences of adultery cut across every part of life. It damages trust, wounds the innocent, and often leaves a trail of brokenness that can take years, if not a lifetime, to heal. Marriages are shattered, children suffer, and the emotional toll can be overwhelming.
Proverbs 6:32 says, “He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.” Adultery is not just a sin against a spouse; it is a sin against oneself, against God, and against the body of Christ. It creates a breach in the soul that only repentance and God’s grace can heal.
Fleeing from Adultery: A Call to Holiness
What does it mean to “flee from adultery”? It means to actively guard our hearts, our thoughts, and our actions. Just as Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife in Genesis 39, we too must run from temptation. We must make conscious decisions to live pure and holy lives. This requires setting boundaries, being accountable to others, and most importantly, cultivating a deep relationship with God.
1 Corinthians 6:18 reminds us, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” To flee is to take drastic action. It means cutting off anything that leads us down the path of infidelity. It means filling our hearts and minds with God’s truth, being satisfied in Him, and honoring the marriage covenant.
The Power of Forgiveness and Restoration
Perhaps some of us reading this message now are carrying the weight of adultery—whether through physical acts, emotional betrayal, or secret thoughts. The good news of the gospel is that there is forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” There is no sin too great for God to forgive, no breach too wide for Him to restore.
If you have fallen into adultery or are struggling with temptation, come to the cross. Repent, turn to Jesus, and He will give you the strength to walk in purity. He can heal what has been broken, restore what has been lost, and make all things new.
In conclusion, adultery is a sin that brings destruction, but God offers us the grace to overcome it. Flee from it, guard your heart, and cling to the promises of God.
Let us honor our marriages, value purity, and live as people set apart for God’s glory. Amen.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, then you for thr blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, grant me the grace to flee from adultery and other sexual immorality no matter how tempted I am in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, heal every broken hearts, marriages, relationships and homes as a result of adultery and other sexual sins in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.