God's Solutions for Today's Problems #17

Our passage from the Word of God today is Matthew 19:9. It reads, “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”

Our quote for today is from Joseph B. Wirthlin. He said, “Men and women who decide to flirt with adultery just once can become enmeshed in misery and unhappiness for themselves and their precious families.”

Our problem today is "The Problem of Adultery in Your Life" (part 6) from the book, "The Guide to Biblical Counseling" by Dr. Tim Clinton and Dr. Ron Hawkins.

There is little direct and reliable trend information on extra-marital relations before 1988. Since then, levels have not changed much. Prior to then there is indirect evidence that extra-marital relations may have increased across recent generations. The figure of ever having extra-marital relations rises from 13% among those 18-29 to 20% among those 40-49. It then falls to 9.5% among those 70 and older.

Now, we will share some Biblical Insights on this topic:

Proverbs 5:15 says, "Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well."

This beautiful metaphor describes the joy of marital fidelity. To "drink water from your own cistern" pictures the marriage partners belonging only to each other, enraptured with each other's love.

By contrast, to become enraptured by another, to turn to adultery, may feel exciting at first, but will end up being "bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword" as Proverbs 5:4 states.

God's Word clearly teaches that married people should keep their vows and remain committed to each other. Adultery is embracing a false love --- it will hurt everyone involved.

Proverbs 5:18-19 says, "Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love."

The Bible does not speak against sexual fulfillment --- in fact, sexual delight and marital love are exalted in the Song of Solomon. Sexual fulfillment is always depicted in the Bible as within the boundaries of marriage.

Adultery is a great tragedy, for it has severe consequences. People risk all that they have built over a lifetime --- marriage, family, ministry, respect, honor --- when they commit adultery. Sexual sin can be very appealing, almost an overwhelming temptation.

The way out is to rejoice in one's marriage and to be satisfied with the love of one's spouse. To violate this commitment will lead to pain, grief, and self-destruction.