“You shall not commit adultery” is the 7th commandment.  We all know what that means.  When you are having an intimate relationship with someone to whom you are not married, you are breaking this command.  It is sad to realize that adultery has been an issue for people almost since time began.  Each era deals with it a different way and some choose to simply ignore it altogether.

In bible times the offenders were stoned to death.  Now days adultery is a way of life for so many that it goes un-noticed.  Look at all the couples who choose just to live together instead of getting married.  They are all guilty of adultery.  Many marriages are broken apart because of another sexual partner coming into the picture.  It is so common place in America that we have accepted it as normal and turn the other way while these men and women ruin their lives and destroy their families.

The Old Testament commandment says you shouldn’t commit the act of adultery.  Jesus, in Matthew 5:28 says, “But I say unto to you, that whosoever looks at a woman to lust after her hath already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  Wow!  That changes things a bit for us.

You have heard people say, “I can look as long as I don”t touch.”  That isn’t what Jesus says.  We all can recognize a beautiful woman or a handsome man, but when we choose to dwell on that person we get in trouble.  Our minds can imagine all kinds of things between us and that other person.  Be careful where you look and what you allow yourself to think about.

Some people also think it’s okay to hug and kiss and ‘mess around’, as long as they don’t complete the act.  That simply is not true.  Any move toward adultery is wrong.  We can become emotionally involved with someone and it can be every bit as devastating as the real thing.  We really need to guard our hearts and minds against this evil notion.

Adultery, by Jesus’  definition, can creep up and take hold of us very easily if we don’t protect ourselves from the temptation when it first comes.  We can appreciate beauty without partaking of it.  Don’t let your mind wander to the wrong place.  Don’t try to play around the edges of this sin.  Keep your heart, mind, and body pure.