The Bible’s Seventh Commandment

The Bible’s Seventh Commandment says “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18). What does the Bible say about marriage relationship as the foundation of the family, which in turn stands as the foundation and most important building block of society? The Bible tells us that “a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Why do we need proper direction in regard to sexuality? What are the consequences of sexual sin? What is the psychological cost and the cost of broken homes from adultery? How can you protect your marital relationship? How can you have a stable marriage? How do you deal with sexual sins? What are the risks you’re making by not following the Seventh Commandment? Today we’re going to share with you the biblical answers to these questions. As always, we will let the Bible interpret itself and ask the help of the Holy Spirit of Yahweh for wisdom in sharing these biblical precepts to you. May you have the eyes to see and the ears to hear for this true and faithful heavenly message.

The “sexual revolution” of the 1960s opened the door to a wide variety of immoral behaviors, including infidelity, premarital sex, and homosexuality and other forms of perversity. The new sexual freedom brought with it a rash of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), some previously unknown and some incurable, and a lower view of the sanctity of marriage and traditional family values. Today, many view sex outside marriage as a normal and healthy expression. Advocates of “safe sex” through the use of condoms have encouraged promiscuity and the changing attitudes toward cohabitation and premarital sexual relations. Yes, unbiblical sex is unsafe sex! For many, the idea that sex should be reserved for marriage and that abstinence is the solution to the STD problem is “prudish,” a long-outdated notion stemming from our puritanical past and pushed by the fanatical “religious right.” Nevertheless, the views of the many or the few cannot change the fact that the traditional family unit is the backbone of a healthy society. Moral degeneracy can only weaken the backbone and result in societal decay!

Almighty Yahweh gave us the Seventh Commandment to direct and define the sexual roles that bring lasting happiness and stability in marriage between one man and one woman. Our Father in heaven Yahweh created sex. It was His idea. He wants us to enjoy an abundantly pleasurable and stable sexual relationship within marriage. In that context, our sexuality endows us with the capacity to convey our appreciation, tenderness, devotion and love to our mate. Sex can add immeasurably to our sense of well- being and contentment. Our Elohim intended that marriage and sex—in that order—exist as tremendous blessings to humanity. Their potential for good is boundless. But the same desires that bring a man and a woman together into a loving, natural relationship—a holy blessing—can pose risks. Unless the natural desires that attract us to members of the opposite sex are channeled exclusively toward a loving marriage relationship, the temptation to engage in sexual immorality can easily overpower our self-control. Adultery is the violation of the marriage covenant by participation in sexual activity with someone other than one’s spouse. Sexual relationship is only for one man and one woman with legitimate marriage. No premarital sex, no infidelity, no homosexual sex, no sex with many partner! Yes, Yahweh in His Word (Bible) categorically condemns all forms of sexual immorality (Revelation 21:8).

Divorce and broken homes are major consequences of committing sexual sin. Broken homes are the primary consequence of sexual immorality and shattered marriages resulting from sexual infidelity. To this we must add devastating legal fees and decreased productivity and income, not to mention the frequent loss of dwellings and personal property. These factors reduce many people to poverty—particularly single mothers with young children. The problem is compounded when some of these children grow up with inadequate job and social skills and remain wards of the welfare system even as adults. Divorce makes for even deeper personal problems. Custody fights go on for years. Children become pawns in a tug of war between parents for their love and loyalty. Children’s grades suffer; some drop out of school. Teenagers, in turn, become parents at younger and younger ages. The psychological cost of betrayal, rejection and abandonment is staggering. The state of minds of those affected is submerged in anger, depression and bitterness because their trust in one whom they loved—whether mate or parent—has been betrayed. Many of these people are emotionally distorted for life. Some of them seek counselling, but others look for vengeance. The problems go on and on. Who said no one gets hurt? Listen! Adultery and promiscuity are sure tickets to social disasters. The real cost of sexual immorality is astronomical!

The Bible labels humanity’s obsession with self-gratification for what it is—lust! “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away and the lust of it; but he who does the will of Yahweh abides forever” (1 John 2:16-17). Yes, lust is the beginning of adultery and immorality. Notice what the Savior of mankind Yahshua had said: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Sexual fantasies are very harmful. Our actions originate in our thoughts, in the desires that float through our minds (James 1:14-15). Daydreams of illicit sexual encounters render us especially vulnerable to the real thing. Make no mistake. Opportunities to sin will come to us. We need to heed to Yahshua the Messiah’s early warning that adultery begins in the heart! The Bible tells us a woman was caught in adultery and brought before Yahshua, but He did not condone her sin and neither did He condemn her. Yahshua simply told her, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11).

Companionship is one of the greatest blessings we can gain from a stable and loving marriage. Our Elohim recognized this when He created us. “And Yahweh Elohim said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18). “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Yes, men and women were designed to be together, to need each other. The love between a man and a woman naturally leads to marriage. Marriage, a natural union of a man and a woman, is divinely ordained, established by Yahweh at the creation. Yahshua makes it very clear that Yahweh, from the beginning, intended that marriage be a monogamous and permanent relationship (Matthew 19:3-6). Yahshua denounced only sinful thoughts and behavior, not the legitimate desire to marry and build a proper relationship with someone of the opposite sex. Nor did He proscribe the acknowledgement of someone of the opposite sex as attractive. Yahshua the Messiah, however, condemn illicit lust—mental savoring of an immoral relationship! We can control sensual desires by replacing them with an unselfish concern for others. Of course, this kind of love is a gift from Elohim, possible as Yahweh’s Spirit works in us (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22).

In the New Testament the apostle Paul urges, “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). He writes, “We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day (1 Corinthians 10:8). He lists adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness among the “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19), sternly warning that “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of Yahweh” (Galatians 5:21). Apostle Paul also said to taking “every thought captive to obey the Messiah” (2 Corinthians 10:5). The apostle Peter warns of following the false teachers who “have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin” (2 Peter 2:14). He also said to make every effort to “abstain from the passions of the flesh” (1 Peter 2:11). For those who return to such defilements after escaping them through the knowledge of Messiah, Peter says, “the last state has become worse for them than the first (2 Peter 2:20). The apostle James also shared his admonitions that our actions originate in our thoughts, in the desires that float through our minds. He said, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death (James 1:14-15). Meanwhile in the Old Testament in ancient Israel, the penalty for infidelity was severe. “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death” (Leviticus 20:10). Yes, even the Old Testament forbids a broad range of sexual misconduct, including fornication (sex outside marriage), homosexual activity, bestiality, and incest (Leviticus 18). Very sadly, adultery isn’t against the law in many countries around the world, but the fact remains it’s still a direct and very serious violation of Yahweh’s law. Yes, in the final judgment, the “sexually immoral” will be among those whose “portion will be in the lake of fire and sulfur, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).

In closing, the Bible’s Seventh Commandment must be taken very seriously by all of us. The sin “success” of the pornography industry—with Internet porn, “adult” book and video stores, and other markets available to smut peddlers—reflects the moral decay of modern societies. Many are addicted to sex and many are also addicted to the Internet as well. No doubt, the easily accessible and widely available pornographic materials have stimulated the depraved appetites of rapists and sexual predators. But there is hope for all sinners. The key is repentance! The Bible’s King David tells us that Elohim is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy” (Psalm 103:8). The apostle John explained that “if we confess our sins, He (Yahweh) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 9). Our Father in heaven Yahweh will forgive the sinner who turns to Him in wholehearted repentance, which is not merely temporary remorse arising from self-pity, but is a change of mind—a resolve to submit to Elohim on His terms. It means a commitment to put away evil thoughts as soon as they arise. It means avoiding anything that might lead to temptation, including movies with sexual content, all forms of pornography, and “singles” bar or other places where temptation is likely to occur. To return to what Elohim intended, we must give marriage the respect it deserves. We must faithfully obey our Creator’s commandment “You shall not commit adultery.” May you heed to this loving warning. May Yahweh protect you and bless you, especially the faithful doers of His Word. Let’s continue to spread love, hope, faith and truth. We hope this true and faithful heavenly message will help you on your spiritual journey to life eternal. We humbly pray these things to Yahweh through Yahshua Messiah our Master and King, Amen. Halleluyah, Shalom!