The Bible contains numerous verses warning against adultery, particularly sleeping with another man’s wife. This act is viewed as a sin that brings spiritual, emotional, and societal harm. Below are seven Bible verses that clearly outline the reasons why one should never commit this sin:
1. Exodus 20:14 (NIV) – “You shall not commit adultery.”
This is one of the Ten Commandments, serving as a foundational principle for moral living. Adultery is a direct violation of God’s law, a moral breach that disrupts marriages and families, which are sacred institutions in His sight. By engaging in adultery, one dishonors both God and the sanctity of marriage.
2. Proverbs 6:32 (NIV) – “But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”
This verse highlights the self-destructive nature of adultery. Sleeping with another man’s wife not only harms the betrayed spouse but also damages the adulterer spiritually and emotionally. It invites guilt, shame, and consequences that can tarnish one’s reputation and relationships for a lifetime.
3. Matthew 5:28 (NIV) – “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Jesus emphasizes that adultery begins in the heart. Even if someone does not physically commit the act, entertaining lustful thoughts is a form of infidelity. This reveals how seriously God views the purity of our minds and hearts, urging us to avoid even the temptation that leads to sin.
4. Hebrews 13:4 (NIV) – “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
This verse stresses the importance of honoring the covenant of marriage. God places significant value on the purity of marriage, and adultery is seen as a defilement of that sacred union. The warning here is clear: those who engage in adultery will face divine judgment.
5. Proverbs 5:18-19 (NIV) – “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”
This passage encourages men to find fulfillment and contentment in their own wives. Adultery stems from dissatisfaction or desire outside one’s marriage. By focusing on the love and joy within one’s own marriage, the temptation to sleep with another man’s wife diminishes.
6. Leviticus 20:10 (NIV) – “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.”
In the Old Testament, adultery was considered a capital offense. While the punishments may not be as severe in modern times, this verse shows how serious the offense was in ancient Israel. The sanctity of marriage was protected to the extent that the ultimate penalty was prescribed.
7. 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV) – “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
Sexual sins, including adultery, have profound effects on one’s own body and soul. The Bible advises fleeing from situations where sexual temptation might arise, as the consequences of such actions are more intimate and damaging than other types of sin.
In summary, the Bible consistently warns against the sin of adultery. It is seen as destructive to individuals, marriages, families, and communities. The sanctity of marriage is a covenant before God, and breaking that covenant not only brings personal guilt but also invites God’s judgment. By adhering to these biblical principles, individuals protect themselves from the spiritual and relational destruction that adultery brings.