Topic: Adultery.
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 22-24; Luke 16:1-18.
Memory Verse: “Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.” Luke 16:18 (KJV).
Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between one or more married adults who are not married to each other. It is absolutely forbidden by God as stated in Exodus 20:14 (KJV), “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” But beside this, the Lord Jesus expanded the understanding of adultery that it goes beyond physical contact and that it covers emotional act. Thus in Matthew 5:28 (KJV), the Lord Jesus tells us, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart!'”
Furthermore, Apostle Paul stated in his letter to the Corinthians that whosoever commits fornication/adultery, sin against his own body which is the temple of the Holy Ghost ( 1 Corinthians 6:17-19). Inspite of all these, adultery is so common these days that even some Senior church leaders are not excluded. This sin has led to breaking of several marriages, and thus, hit the very essence of families.
The various adverts, drama and scenes on the media are not helping matters as they tend to celebrate infidelity rather than abhor it. This has greater implication for the morality of our future generation and so every Christian home has the additional responsibility of teaching his/her family the need for chastity as espoused in the bible. It is also important that we, as children of God, should note another evil route to adultery; divorce and work against it recognising that God abhors it! Hence, our young men and women should ensure their compatibility and seek the face of God concerning the woman/man they intend to marry before going to the altar. They need to know that marriage entails showing unconditional love to each other. The word of God in Luke 16:18 (KJV) that “Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.” should be well understood as divorce has become a common way of committing adultery as couples divorce and remarry often not giving due consideration to this verse of the bible.
Is your marriage going through challenges? Please seek the face of God to still the storm. The general antidote is showing unconditional love and applying Philipians 2:3 in your relationship with your spouse. However, there are specific steps that can be taken for different marriages and seeking the help of marriage counsellor will help in the early stage of any marriage storm. This is necessary to still the evil tide of divorce sweeping accross many homes and leading to adultery in our families. I pray that God will still the storm in all marriages and restore peace so that our families will be in heaven on earth in Jesus name.
Prayer point
Father, restore peace to every home and let your joy unspeakable permeate all our families in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero