PROF.
BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons)
WOES OF ADULTERY
“You shall not commit adultery; But I
tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed
adultery with her in his heart”, (Exodus 20:1; Matthew 5;28)
INTRODUCTION
In Nelson’s Bible Dictionary, the Lexicographer remarks
that adultery plays havoc with personal, domestic and national happiness. A case in point is David’s affairs with
Bathsheba, wife of Uriah. Their adultery
led to a cover-up, which was followed by the murder of Bathsheba’s husband, (2
Samuel 11). But, unknown to David, the darkest night is as the broad daylight
in the sight of the Lord. Thus, the
Prophet Nathan was sent to open-up his sin, and in turn declares the violence
that would be commonplace in his household, ( 2 Samuel 12:10-13). As a result,
one disaster, after another struck his family, including incest, rape, murder
and revolt, (2 Samuel 13-15).
The Bible designates adultery as a sexual intercourse of
a man, whether married or unmarried with a married woman. But, Jesus says, “the
desire to have sex with someone that is not one’s spouse is “mental
adultery”. In other words, if the act is
wrong, then, the intention is also
wrong. In the Old Testament, “the man who commits adultery with another
man’s wife … dies with the woman, by stoning, (Lev. 20:10). However, in the New
Testament, Jesus preaches forgiveness for those who commit the act, but, holds
that such a sin should not be repeated, (John 8;3-11). This implies that those
who continue in adultery have a case to answer. Please notice as well that;
ADULTERY
BRINGS DISGRACE WITH IT
Biblically speaking, the biggest disgrace of adultery
points to David and Bathsheba, (2 Samuel 11). This, in turn suggests that this
unholy behaviour is often noticed in
high places. People in power seem to
easily forget that God expects them to be examples of good conduct in society. This is not to say that the sin of adultery
is not committed by the ordinary people, but to sound a note of caution that
power, if allowed, can corrupt one into taking undue advantage of the rights of
others. The adultery of the former
United States President, Bill Clinton and Monica Lewisnky attests to the fact
that the present day leaders still have the problem to contend with.
On the ordinary scene, the woman
caught in the very act of adultery marks another point of the disgrace of the
sin, (John 8;4). Now, consider once more
the disgrace that adultery placed on King David. Though, a man after God’s
heart (I Samuel 13:14), the sin of adultery put a reproach on him that still
lives with him in his grave. To Bill
Clinton, one of the best presidents America has produced in history,
the shame of adultery remains a negative point of reference against him, even
when he dies. In the same manner, the disgrace of adultery awaits any;
(i)
pastor
who sleeps with women of easy virtue in the church in pretence of prayer and
night vigil, (Prov. 6:32-33);
(ii)
married
woman who donates herself to men in exchange of money and contracts, (verse
33);
(iii)
politician
that messes-up with the spouses of others during party conventions and
political rallies, (verse 33), etc.
ADULTERY
ALSO BRINGS DESTRUCTION WITH IT
Adultery
destroys marital relationships, and offers death to those who engage in
it. In fact, most people quit marriage
and plot the destruction of their partners by reason of adultery. Also,
in an attempt to cover-up the infidelity of adultery, one may be tempted to destroy the life of an
unsuspecting lover of a spouse, Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband that was killed by
King David exemplifies this, (2 Samuel 11). Furthermore, adultery can enforce
instant death on someone by dint of divine judgement. The former Nigeria’s
Edo State commissioner for Information, Mr.
Calus Enoma who died on a lover’s laps in a hotel room serves here as a
reference point. Equally, it may not be
far from the truth that the late former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, was as well a
victim of the monster we call adultery.
This therefore, forms a note of warning to the;
(i)
University
lecturer who engages in trade by barter in exchange of sex for the award of
academic scores, (Prov. 6:32);
(ii)
Government
official who would not promote a lady in the civil service for refusing him
sex, (verse 32);
(iii)
Neighbour
who sneaks into his neighbour’s room to have sex with the wife, (verse 32),
etc.
ADULTERY
FINALLY LEADS TO ETERNAL DAMNATION
Be
informed that one of the sins that can bar one out of the kingdom of God
is adultery, (1 Cor. 6;9-10).
However,
this is where one fails to repent of it. Every sin (including adultery) is
forgivable as one repents and refrains from them, but, where one becomes
adamant and continues in such a sin, God would have no option than to allow one
perish with it, (Luke 13:3). No doubt, it is on this note that Jesus says, “go
and sin no more” to any one who is or
may be guilty of adultery, (John. 8:11). Therefore, the reader should be aware
that the;
(i)
woman/man
who goes for sexual intercourse outside wedlock will have no part in the kingdom of God, (1 Cor. 6;9-10);
(ii)
so
called “sugar daddy” or “sugar mummy” ,who lures the youths into sexual
immorality with money and materials will definitely be screened out of the
kingdom, (Rev. 22;15);
(iii)
unmarried
lady/man who exchanges sex for money or pleasure with the married lady/man
risks eternal condemnation, (Rev. 21:8), etc
In conclusion, hear this,
the social disgrace of adultery, as the Bible puts it, is such that cannot be
wiped away, (Prov. 6;34). Also, its physical destructive implications cut
across every social class. But, the most dreadful havoc of adultery is that of
eternal damnation. All these have been considered in this discourse in an
effort to free the reader (if entangled) from the scourge of adultery. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO SAVE YOURSELF AND
OTHERS TODAY.
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