IMPURITY,

A definition of impurity is a substance that adulterates or contaminates something. It also is a pollution or uncleanness.

God does not approve of the occurrence of intimate relations between a man and a woman who are not married to one another.

1 Corinthians 5:9-11

1 Corinthians 6:18

When such things occur, the guilty parties do not think about those who will be affected. Their parents, friends, co-workers and other relatives will all be affected.

See: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

We are risking the possibility of being seen in a distorted view that does not match up with the one we had hoped to achieve. This is not at all in accordance with God’s will! How can we even consider doing something that will dishonor ourselves before the Lord?

Ephesians 5:3

Colossians 3:5

We may think our actions are not anyone else's concern. But, how mistaken we are. How can we continue to hurt our parents and others who care about us?

The Lord explicitly tells us repeatedly not to engage in intimate relations where the two are not married to one another. To keep away from such sin, each man needs his own wife and each woman needs her own husband. Then they are able to have intimate relations as God planned it , inside the marriage.

1 Corinthians 7:2

ADULTERY

A definition of adultery is voluntary marital relations between a married individual and someone to whom he/she is not married.

What will this do to your reputation? More importantly, how do you feel about what is being done to your reputation? You may have burned many bridges behind you.

The seventh commandment of the Ten Commandments states, "You shall not commit adultery." Exodus 20:14. Jesus refers to this when He says, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery." Matthew 5:27

Often, when adultery happens, the spouse left behind and the children are hurting beyond words. It also hurts families and friends. Please see the statistics on damages that occur once adultery happens.

One day a rich man came to Jesus and asked what he must do to have eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments.

"He said to Him, ' Which ones?' Jesus said, ' You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery.You shall not steal.You shall not bear false witness,'" Matthew 19:18

A man who has intimate relations with a woman who is not his wife is an adulterer and she is an adulteress. Either the man or the woman in the relationship may be married, but they are not married to each other. This activity performed in this way is not God’s plan.

Paul admonishes the Christians in Rome.

"The commandments, 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. Love does no harm to its neighbor." Romans 13:9

The Lord’s plan is for a husband and his wife or a wife and her husband to have marital relations. Anyone who is not married to the other person should not engage in intimate relations. It is vitally important that we understand and follow God’s plan, for not following God’s Word is a detestable thing, and so many are guilty.

Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles in Babylon telling how they would curse Zedekiah and Ahab.

" Because they have done disgraceful things in Israel, have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and have spoken lying words in My name, which I have not commanded them. Indeed I know, and am a witness, says the Lord." Jeremiah 29:23

A Biblical example of adultery is that of David and Bathsheba. King David saw Bathsheba when she was bathing on a rooftop and committed adultery with her. Bathsheba was married to Uriah.

"It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem."
2 Samuel 11:1

Nathan, the prophet tells King David in 2 Samuel 12:7.

"You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul."

David caused Uriah to be killed and he married Bathsheba, but the child born of their union died.

How can anyone do this wrong and sin against God? People who commit adultery are disgracing themselves before our Lord who created all for us. We have taken a vow with our spouse, how can we sin against God and hurt our spouse so deeply?

Moses tells the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 5:18,"You shall not commit adultery." Adultery was looked upon as a heinous crime. Adultery provides a scriptural ground for divorce. This does not make it look a bit better!! It is a sin and God hates adultery and divorce.

"For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one's garment with violence,"says the Lord of hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously." Malachi 2:16

Some people feel their position and importance places them above the law. They think the law applies to other people, but not to them. That reminds me of a driver who ran a stop sign. When the police officer stopped him, he said, " I have not murdered, I have not robbed a bank, I just ran a stop sign". All the time the driver was hoping to just be given a warning or that his offense would be forgotten. The officer just smiled and wrote the ticket.

"For He who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.' Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law." James 2:11

Discussion and study questions
1. Who gets hurt when a person has intimate relations with someone other than their spouse?
2. Why did the child born to David and Bathsheba die?
3. Where in the Bible do we read,"God hates divorce"?
4. What was the prophet's name who told David, "You're the man"?
5. What do we need to do to avoid impure relations?

Copyright 2008 Linda Lawrence