Proverbs 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. 32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
This passage of scripture outlines for us in very graphic details, the results of committing the sin of adultery, and yet it is one of the most common sins that has plagued society throughout human history. After David's rendezvous with Uriah's wife, he then had to face the bitter and humiliating consequences of his sin, which then changed the course of his earthly history forever. For a fleeting moment of pleasure he sacrificed principle and integrity, and very many men and women have followed in his footsteps with the very same negative results.
Countless politicians, and numerous televangelists have succumbed to the same sin, and it seems as if we are powerless, in and of ourselves to stay the tide of evil that adultery sets in motion. Adultery, like every other sin begins in the mind, and is committed when the decision to pursue the inordinate desire is made. According to the Bible, a person does not even have to have an illicit sexual relationship with another in order for this sin to occur. Let's read:
Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
This fact lays upon men and women alike, the responsibility of avoiding as far as possible, the urge to merge, when it lies outside of the legal parameters set forth by God in the marriage relation, and it begins with our thoughts. If our hearts are not girded with the presence of the Holy Spirit, if our minds are not filled with God's word, then the natural tendency of the human heart will be to gravitate downward, and favorable circumstances will inevitably bring latent tendencies and desires to life.
That's why the Lord repeatedly cautions us to have our thoughts and affections centered in Christ, for He is the only bulwark against the numerous battalions the devil has arrayed against our souls. A Christian's mind can be kept from wandering unto forbidden themes, but it requires due diligence, and cooperation on our path. We should not deliberately expose ourselves to scenes or literature that would incite evil thoughts and desires, and we should at all times maintain a living connection with God who is able to keep us from falling.
A common mistake that is made when dating is when two people isolate themselves in the wee hours of the morning, talking intimately, and hoping against hope that "Nothing" will happen. These are the very hours when the devil seizes the opportunity to fill our minds with suggestions that probably were not there previously, and because the environment is conducive to illegal mergers, many Christians end up falling into sin. The Bible therefore gives us pertinent instruction on the issue of avoiding adultery in all of its forms, and we would do well to heed the cautions thus given. Let's read:
Proverbs 7:6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, 7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, 8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, 9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night. 13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
The remedy for this ages old problem is to have the indwelling Christ at the forefront of our minds at all times, and by His grace and power, He will give us the strength to cooperate with Him day by day, in gaining and maintaining the victory. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that encourages us to train our minds to focus on God continually. Let's read:
Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
May we experience victorious living each and every day of our lives, for God is always our refuge and strength in times of temptation. "Good night" and God bless!