“You shall not commit adultery.”

Exodus 20:14

In a culture that appears to celebrate many sexual deviancies, the idea of adultery is almost blasé, but adultery, like other sins undermines the foundations of human flourishing. Not everyone must marry, but if you’re married you are to be faithful.

Yet, Jesus takes the opportunity to remind all of us again that the Ten Commandments are not an exhaustive list-

“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Matthew 5:27-28

Over the years, I’ve listened to quite a few people describe the longing for someone other than their spouse as an emotional connection, a friendship or something else, but every time the rationalization doesn’t hold up, because God’s standards are intended for our ultimate good.

Jesus’ solution is to simply cut off the temptation long before it destroys lives. It’s hyperbole to think you should pluck your eyes out, but the seriousness of the situation is certainly underscored when Jesus said –

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

Matthew 5:29

And the writer of Hebrews challenges us to –

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

Hebrews 13:4

Wise words if we will listen and obey.