Introduction
A recent survey indicated that 66% of the American men and 50% of the 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!
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)
C. Usually refers to unmarried sex, but sometimes used for extra-marital sex
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 trust 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 STD’s on the increase, especial 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 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)
Taken from Dr. Arnold Lastinger’s Sermon Notes Collection
(If this sermon was helpful to you please consider leaving your feedback in the comments section at the bottom. It would be a great encouragement to me personally.)
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This sermon is a learning experience for everyone that has breath. God is not playing. He hates all sin. Repent and confess all to God!
Is this a Christian response to the author’s advice not to tell the wronged spouse? “If you are a person of God May your creator forgive you for leading people in this way” sounds vaguely judgmental my dear. Why not just call him a heretic and be done with it? Good stoning is so rare these days. But really, the advice the author gives is supported by many in the psychological community. If there is no need to hurt the victimized spouse, then leave it alone. Many continue their selfish behavior after an affair by telling their spouses so that… Continue »
I agree with Rachel. I was cheated on. It hurt me to find out, but I want to know and not just go on "in the dark". I think you have to settle this with your spouse and ask them for forgiveness. You have to work together to rebuild trust.
Don’t tell your spouse? A copout I’d say. Jesus said that we are to confess the wrong we have done to the one that we have wronged. We are to be exact in what we have done and we are to seek forgiveness. If you are a person of God what god are you serving with such lame advice? May your creator forgive you for leading people in this way.
Well researched masterpiece of a sermon. Keep it up.