Zachary Campbell

Proverbs 5:3-10 is a passage from the Book of Proverbs that warns against the dangers of adultery. Adultery is the act of engaging in sexual relations with someone other than one's spouse. According to the passage, adultery is wrong because it can lead to a number of negative consequences, including:

* **Loss of reputation:** The passage warns that the adulterer will "lose their honor to others and their dignity to one who is cruel." This means that they will be seen as untrustworthy and dishonorable, and they may be subject to public ridicule or shame.
* **Financial ruin:** The passage also warns that the adulterer may "lose their wealth and their toil enrich the house of another." This means that they may spend their money on their affair partner, or they may have to pay legal fees or other costs associated with their infidelity.
* **Emotional pain:** Adultery can also cause great emotional pain to the adulterer's spouse, children, and other loved ones. The passage does not explicitly mention this, but it is implied in the warning that the adulterer will "find trouble and sorrow."

In addition to these personal consequences, adultery can also have negative social and ethical implications. For example, it can undermine the institution of marriage, which is seen as a cornerstone of many societies. It can also lead to broken families and other social problems.

It is important to note that Proverbs 5:3-10 is just one perspective on adultery. There are many other perspectives on this issue, and what is considered right or wrong may vary depending on one's culture, religion, or personal beliefs. However, the passage does offer a number of helpful insights into the potential consequences of adultery, and it is worth considering these consequences before making any decisions that could impact one's own life or the lives of others.

February 12 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Brown Retired pastor, Hospice chaplain

God and God's word are the ultimate standard of right and wrong. Adultery is shown to be wrong in the Bible for a number of reasons. Adultery, is defined as," Sexual relations with someone other than one's spouse".

Adultery violates Gods plan. Genesis 2:24, When God presents Eve to Adam, the narrator says, "For this cause, (Eve was God's gift to Adam) a man will leave his family of origin and cleave, (which in this sense means adhere to, or stick to, or cling tightly to) his wife. This is God's plan for marriage.

Adultery breaks God's command. Exodus 20:14, the eighth commandment is a straight up command. "Do not commit adultery."

Jesus uses both these passages in Matthew 19:9. He cites Gen 2:24 to refute the pharisees who asked if a man could divorce his wife for ANY reason. Jesus says in vs 9 that divorce for any reason OTHER than adultery constitutes adultery.

In vs 18, answering the rich young ruler's question about inheriting eternal life, Jesus says to keep the commandments. The young man asks which ones, Jesus cites several, one of which is do not commit adultery, and concludes with "Love your neighbor as yourself." In stating it this way Jesus is prohibiting adultery and commanding love for one's neighbor. The two cannot exist side by side in one persons life.

Having said that, adultery violates God's plan, and disobeys his command. The adulterer who repents and confesses will be forgiven. 

In 2 Sam 11, David commits adultery with Bathsheba, his neighbor Uriah's wife, thereby NOT loving his neighbor. In Chapter 12, David is confronted by Nathan the prophet.

In vs 13, David repents and admits his sin. Nathan is quick to assure him that God has forgiven his sin, he will not die but evil consequences will follow him the rest of his life, beginning with the death of the child. 

So the sin of adultery will be forgiven upon repentance and confession as any other sin, 1 Jn 1:9, though consequences that we don't like will follow.

On the other hand, adultery committed flagrantly, defiantly without repentance or even remorse is an outrage in God's sight.

In Jeremiah 29:21-23, God singles out two men, Ahab and Zedekiah, for punishment of death at the hands of the king of Babylon. To their sin of falsely prophesying, they added the sin of adultery with their neighbor's wives. God calls this an outrage and says that He knows and bears witness to their sin, and to their flagrantly unrepentant hearts. 

These scriptures show that adultery is a sin against one's neighbor, one's spouse and God himself. It is not partly wrong, it's completely wrong.

March 25 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report