What the Old and New Testaments Agree On About Adultery

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What the Old and New Testaments Agree On About Adultery

From Genesis to Revelation, one truth remains consistent across the Bible: adultery is a violation of both divine covenant and human trust. While culture may evolve, God's standard for sexual purity and marital faithfulness has never changed. Both the Old and New Testaments clearly warn against adultery—not just as a private moral failure, but as a spiritual rebellion that damages individuals, families, and communities.

In the Old Testament, adultery was seen as a serious offense—so severe that it was punishable by death under the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 20:10). This wasn’t just about legalism; it reflected how seriously God regards the sanctity of marriage. Marriage was established in the Garden of Eden as a sacred covenant between one man and one woman. When that covenant is broken through adultery, it mirrors spiritual infidelity—turning away from God for a false substitute.

Proverbs 6:32 warns, “He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.” This verse reveals a timeless truth: adultery is not just sin against another person; it’s self-inflicted harm. It chips away at integrity, warps emotional intimacy, and ultimately separates us from God's design.

The New Testament affirms this perspective—but with a deeper heart-level focus. Jesus elevates the conversation in Matthew 5:27–28 by saying, “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.” Under the New Covenant, Jesus doesn't just judge the act—He examines the heart. Lust, emotional affairs, and pornography are all forms of unfaithfulness in the eyes of God.

See Also: How Christian Singles Can Remain Sexually Pure Until Marriage

This shows us that purity isn’t just about controlling actions; it’s about guarding affections. Whether physically or emotionally, when you give what belongs to your spouse (or future spouse) to another, you dishonor God's perfect design for intimacy.

Both testaments also highlight the power of restoration. While adultery is destructive, it is not beyond redemption. In the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8), Jesus extends mercy while also charging her to "go and sin no more." Grace never excuses sin—but it always makes a way forward. God offers forgiveness, healing, and the power to rebuild what was broken.

Ultimately, the Bible is clear: adultery is not simply a moral misstep—it’s a spiritual fracture. But through repentance, accountability, and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit, even the deepest wounds can be healed. God desires for marriages to thrive in faithfulness, purity, and covenant love. And His Word—from the first page to the last—calls us to nothing less.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, help us to honor the sacred covenant of marriage. Guard our hearts from wandering, and our eyes from lust. Where there has been brokenness, bring healing. Where there has been compromise, bring conviction. May our relationships reflect Your truth and Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

#BiblicalMarriage, #FaithfulnessMatters, #NoToAdultery, #PurityInMarriage

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