The Works of the Flesh
Part 2
Sins of Sensual Immorality
Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness,
Lasciviousness
These four
fleshly works have been variously designated as offenses against chastity,
“sins of physical passion,” and “fruits of unchaste morals.” Matthew Henry has
pointed out that they are sins against the seventh commandment, “Thou shalt not
commit adultery” (Ex 20:14). Although only adultery is mentioned in the above
verse, the law mentions it in several other places in many different terms, all
of which are immoral. These four sins are particularly related in character, but
each will be defined and described.
ADULTERY
The word “adultery”
in Hebrew is נָאַף, nâ'aph. H. 5003 Strong’s Concordance, In Greek it is
the μοιχεία,
moicheia, pronounced moy-khi'-ah G. 3430. Both meaning adultery. Webster
defines “adultery” in a restricted sense as “Sexual intercourse between a
married man or woman not his wife or husband (married or single). Moreover, it
is sexual relations between a married person and another who is not his/her
lawful companion (married or single).
Broadly, it is defined
as: The lustful desire toward the opposite sex. The word adultery derives from
adulterate, which means: to make impure by mixing, combing, of blending two or
more substances, especially in a harmful or dangerous manner.
The most
common use of the word adultery in the Scripture is related to divorce and
remarriage. Marriage is a divine ordinance instituted by God in the Garden of
Eden. When a man and a woman are united in holy matrimony before the proper
authority, they are united unto death. If a man/woman who is already married
divorces his/her companion and marries another while the first spouse remains
alive, he/she commits adultery. The Scripture teaches that the people who
divorce their companions cause them to commit adultery. Any person with a
living God-ordained marriage partner who has an intimate relationship with
another person besides his/her own companion commits adultery.
“Whosoever
putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever
marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery” (Luke
16:18).
According
to the scriptures, ANYONE who marries someone who is divorced (having a living
companion), commits adultery. Neither person in a marriage that is
“God-ordained” can be a fornicator. The fornicator is single (does not have a
living spouse) in the eyes of God. Some denominations have chosen to embrace
what they call an “innocent party” concept. In a marriage where neither party
has a prior living companion, there cannot be an “innocent party.” If either
party has a living companion, there is no allowable reason for divorce in the
sight of God.
“And if
a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth
adultery” (Mark 10:12).
The sin of
adultery is a work of the flesh and is a result of a carnal mind. It can be
committed by someone without physical contact. In the Bible the term sometimes is used broadly, requiring close attention to the context to differentiate
between adultery and fornication; also between any three forms of adultery: (1)
the act of adultery (John 8:1-11), (2) the state of adultery
(John 4: 16-18), (3) the intent of adultery (Matt 5:28). In other words,
there might be only an illegitimate act, or the state of being
married unlawfully, or the mere intent of the heart. As Jesus broadened
it to mean that adultery can he committed in the heart by simply desiring to
commit the act in a person’s mind. “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on
a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his
heart” (Matt. 5:28). The mind of the Christian should be controlled by the
Spirit and not the flesh. When the believer’s mind is renewed after the mind of
Christ, the works of the flesh will not be manifested.
A marriage
maybe greatly strained by the unfaithfulness of a marriage partner; however,
infidelity is not a scriptural cause for divorce. It does not matter what type
of infidelity occurs—homosexuality, lesbianism, prostitution, and so on—they
are all the sin of adultery and not a biblical reason to obtain a divorce.
Adultery is one of the legal causes permitted for divorce in many localities.
This legal remedy for infidelity is not sanctioned by the Word of God, but
rather contrary to God’s Word. The Bible says that if one is married to someone
who may have numerous relationships outside the bonds of marriage, they are
still one flesh.
“What?
know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith
he, shall be one flesh” (l Cor. 6:16).
Adultery
is not a scriptural reason for divorce. Only death can end the one flesh union
in God’s sight.
“For
the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as
he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her
husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man,
she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from
that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man”
(Rom. 7:2, 3).
It must be
emphasized that ONLY death can end the one flesh union in God’s sight. Once
again there are some forms of adultery that are more hurtful and degrading than
others to a spouse, such as homosexuality, lesbianism, and incest; however,
they are not acceptable reasons before God to end a marriage. It still remains
that the ONLY thing that can end holy matrimony is death.
Some may
argue “what about before I was saved?” I was married and divorced before I
accepted Jesus. It must be understood that God does not have a different
standard for a sinner and a saint. They will both be judged by the same Word.
God can forgive the believer of divorce, but that does not change the fact that if that person they were married too is still living they are still one flesh
until death regardless if they are a believer or non-believer. Some may attempt
to use what Paul said regarding a believing spouse and a non-believing spouse
who left the marriage as justification to say, “... that they are not under bondage
in such cases…” (1 Corinthians 7:15), and that they can remarry in the Lord.
But this is a misunderstanding, what Paul was dealing with is that statement of
Jesus when he said, that if a believer puts away his/her non-believing companion
that they cause them to commit adultery (Matt 5:32). This is not permission to
remarry, but if the believer has done all they can to keep the marriage and the
unbelieving spouse leaves, God is not going to hold the believer accountable
for the departing spouses sins if they commit adultery. In the same chapter Paul says to the
married “Art thou bound…? seek not to be loosed…. Art, thou loosed, seek not a
wife (husband)” (1Cor 7:27). And again in the same chapter, “that the wife is bound
by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at
liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord “(1 Cor. 7:39). There
are many false prophets (preachers) today who have the spirit of Balaam and
Jezebel who would cause God’s flock to commit adultery and fornication (Revelation
2:14, 3:20-29).
I am
reminded of the old-time preacher who said, “If you robbed a bank, and stole a
car with the bank manager’s wife in the back seat and got away and eventually
stopped at a hotel for the night. After retiring to bed you happened to open
the drawer next to the night stand, and find in it a Bible and you read about
Jesus Christ and God’s gift of salvation, and became aware of your sinfulness
and prayed through to salvation. This does not mean that in the morning you can
go on your way with the stolen money, wife, and car. God does not change these
things and make them yours because you have chosen Christ, but rather now that
you are Christ’s you must return all that is not yours!”
Adultery
is a broad term that covers all intimate relationships outside the God-ordained
marriage covenant. Matthew 5:28 does not say that a person must be married to
commit adultery with someone in his/her heart. The committing of adultery
represents a disrespect and a disregard for God’s holy ordinance of marriage.
The Word of God tells us plainly that those who engage in this work of the
flesh shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.
If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
If you enjoyed this blogpost and believe some else can be helped and may be blessed pass it along:
If you have a prayer request or have questions that need clarification please contact me at: neverstoppraying8@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment