Introduction

A recent survey indicated that 66% of American men and 50% of American women had been unfaithful to their spouses. C.M. Ward once told me that if there are 100 people in a congregation, the chances are that someone in that congregation is sleeping with someone else’s spouse. I hope that makes you uncomfortable. It does me! I am certain that there are those here today who need this message. Though it may sound like a message of doom, it is actually a message of hope. Stay tuned! [A sermon by Dr. Arnold Lastinger. Used with permission.]

Read Hebrews 13:4

1. “Adultery” Vs. “Fornication”

A. Adultery (moichos) “one who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse of another” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words) Always refers to extra-marital sex.

B. Fornication (porneia) “one who engages in illicit sexual intercourse” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words)

C. Usually refers to unmarried sex, but sometimes used for extra-marital sex as well.

2. What makes it wrong?

A. It is a sin against a Holy God, (Exodus 20:14). One of the Ten Commandments. Jesus repeated this commandment, validating it for our time, (Matthew 19:18).

B. It is a sin against your neighbor’s spouse, (Exodus 20:17). You have stolen from him. Nathan likened it to stealing the farmer’s most precious ewe lamb.

C. It is a sin against your partner in sin, (Mark 10:11; Matthew 18:6; Luke 16:18) because you cause your mate to sin. If it leads to divorce and remarriage, you will never have God’s blessings upon your next marriage.

D. It is a sin against your spouse & family. You gave away which was not yours (1 Corinthians 7), shattered your testimony to your own children, (a stumbling block?), betrayed a trusting relationship with your spouse, broke a three-way covenant with God, your spouse, and yourself, brought damnation to yourself.

E. It is a sin against your own body, (I Corinthians 6:18). With STDs on the increase, special significance. AIDS epidemic, you have sex with every person your mate has had sex with! Endanger your spouse.

3. How to defend yourself?

A. Don’t allow your eyes & mind to wander or get into situations where temptation exists (ex: Joseph). Don’t flirt or respond to flirting.

B. Don’t allow sexual electricity to flow. Avoid direct eye contact with someone who stirs your emotions.

C. Shy away from business lunches as a pair. If you look forward to a meeting, something is wrong!

Conclusion

Don’t tell your spouse, unless AIDS/HIV possibility is a factor. It isn’t fair to him/her to dump your pain on them. (Exception: if you know they will find out, better from you than someone else.) If you need to confess to someone, come to your pastor. After all, adultery is not an unpardonable sin, (John 8:3-11). Finally, end the relationship, (“sin no more”) and repent, (ask God’s forgiveness)

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