Exodus 20:14 “Thou shall not commit adultery.”
The basis of the family is unity between the husband and wife. The two become one. This is also reflected in Jesus Christ being the husband and His bride being the church. Throughout Scripture this theme of consummation of the bride and the bridegroom assures us the ultimate plan leads mankind to the restoration of all things. The plan is one of unity, not division. Love ultimately prevails even over death. Bloodthirsty men would have us believe that most of mankind would suffer for an eternity and that Our Heavenly Father’s grand plan was flawed by HIS own creation. These same bloodthirsty men seek to control the masses in order to exalt themselves to a level above all men. They are truly ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Proverbs 6:32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.
The spirit and soul are tied together in similar fashion. Being true to yourself and your spouse will set the stage to get a deeper spiritual understanding.
Marriage is a Holy bond established by Our Heavenly Father as a means to bring forth life. A marriage should be the outward expression of Love, kindness, and tenderness for all to see. It should be an expression of great compassion, one of the core aspects of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This compassion and kindness is intended for the family to see and spread forth as the family grows. Compassion is intended to spread over the entire earth but first it must be displayed in the core of the family unit.
A union is formed when the man and woman come together in Love. This unity is to create “one spirit”. The Law of the double witness is first created in marriage. Each partner must become a credible witness. Adultery compromises this witness. The bond created between the man and the woman should be pure and free of any dishonesty or debasement. A relationship built on dishonesty will at best be strained and will fail unless repentance and restoration comes forth. As the marriage is based on purity and honor, the bond is strengthened and can withstand the tests and trials that are sure to come.
Each major problem that exists in a marriage can probably be traced back to some compromise in the unity of the marriage. Adulterations are not only sexual but can be traced back to selfish desires. Money, prestige, citizenship, loneliness are all motivations to marry. These produce impurity in the marriage from day one. When an individual marries for any other reason, adultery exists in the marriage. Love and unity are the core bonds of marriage.
The ego plays a major role in adultery. The man or woman wants to be reassured that they are still attractive to others. This may be due to their spouse no longer treating them as being “special” in their eyes. When this assurance has waned, the spouse will go elsewhere to seek this assurance. Often, they are accommodated. The ego of both partners plays a role in this widespread problem. Both are so focused on themselves, they fail to minister to the needs of the other.
Commitment to your spouse will strengthen the bonds of marriage. Acknowledgement and respect of your spouse’s gifts and calling will provide you with greater understanding of why Our Heavenly Father put the two of you together. Two people with the exact same gifts would not be as exciting as a diversity of gifts in the family. Adultery in some form has probably occurred in every marriage in the broadest sense. I know of no marriage that has been in absolute unity for any sustained period just as none of us are without sin. However forgiveness is the hallmark of a strong marriage just as it plays a vital role in our relationship with Our Heavenly Father. Each marriage belongs to Our Heavenly Father and is established by HIS Divine purpose. Each life produced from the marriage is part of HIS plan. As we keep the sanctity and purity as well as the commitment and the forgiveness at the center of marriage, this union will bring forth life and blessing. If your marriage can grow, strengthen, and mature with commitment, your other relationships will reap the benefits as well. Your relationship with Our Heavenly Father will be the greatest benefactor of all.