Exodus 20:14 — “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”

By Nick Bibile


The Seventh Commandment

We live in a time when many within the church minimize the value of the Old Testament, as though it were no longer necessary. Yet we must remember: the same God who inspired the New Testament also inspired the Old. The law of God is not obsolete—it remains holy, just, and good..

Ten Commandments written by the finger of God is there for a purpose, it’s to show that we are sinners, convict and show our guilt before the Holy God and drive us to Christ for mercy. — The apostle Paul himself declares:

“I had not known sin, but by the law” (Romans 7:7).

And again:

“Sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4).

The moral law—summarized in the Ten Commandments—reveals God’s standard and exposes our sin. The law cannot save, but it shows us our guilt and drives us to Christ in true repentance.

Marriage: A Divine Institution



Marriage is a divine institution by God Almighty and ordained by God.

Romans 13:1-2 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Currently there are 195 recognized countries in the world and 4300 religions and yet marriage is universally recognized. God set up the order for the family.

“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4)

From the beginning, God established marriage in Eden. He created man, and seeing that man was alone, He formed woman from his side:

“This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh.” (Genesis 2:23)

And God declared:

“They shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

This union is sacred, exclusive, and binding. Even after the fall, God continued to bless marriage, and our Lord Jesus Christ Himself honored it—His first miracle was performed at a wedding.

There is an intimate bonding between the husband and wife.

1 Corinthians 7:3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. There is mutual affection of love and supported by sexual intimacy. Husband should love his wife as Christ loved the church and the wife should submit to her husband as the church submits to Christ. (Ephesians 5:22-25)

As we are living in a fallen world there is unfaithfulness due to sin.

What the Seventh Commandment Forbids

Adultery is not merely a private sin—it is a direct violation of God’s law and a breaking of a sacred covenant.

1. Adultery

Adultery occurs when a married person engages in a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Adultery is not only physical—Jesus teaches that lust in the heart is also adultery (Matthew 5:28).

2. Divorce

Divorce is sometimes lawful. Divorce is not a command but permitted. There are only two countries in the world there is no divorce, that is the Vatican and the Philippines, in the Philippines there is annulment.

Annulment erases a marriage, declaring it null and void as if it never legally existed, while divorce terminates a legally valid marriage. There is not a single scripture in the Bible for annulment.



Roman Catholicism generally denied divorce and have annulment instead. Jesus himself have permitted divoce on the grounds of adultery and unfaithfulness. Yet, Roman Catholicism denies it.

Philippines is a Roman Catholic country and many poor people cannot afford annulment as it costs a lot of money, they are trapped into legality and the result is extremely bad as many are trapped into a system and living together.



Scripture does not command divorce but permits it in the case of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9).

The innocent party may remarry after a lawful divorce. This was a significant point of departure from Rome.

Where possible, there should be repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. But where there is hardness of heart and persistent unfaithfulness, the innocent party is not bound.

3. We need to understand just like the other commandments, the Seventh Commandmant does not fall into a narrow one sin of sexual adultery. But a Class of Sexual sins.Sexual Immorality (Fornication, Lust, and More)

The commandment extends far beyond physical adultery. It forbids all forms of sexual sin:

“Flee fornication… your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.” (1 Corinthians 6:18–19)
Ephesians 5:3-4 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 

Sin begins in the heart before it manifests outwardly.

4. Other Violations of God’s Design

Scripture also condemns:

These all distort God’s original design for purity and covenant faithfulness.

A Warning to Our Generation

Modern culture constantly promotes impurity. Entertainment—especially visual media—often glorifies lust, adultery, and immorality.

If you continually feed on such things, your heart will be shaped by them.

“Love not the world… for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh… is not of the Father.” (1 John 2:15–16)

A true Christian cannot live comfortably in sin. Friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).

The Consequences of Sexual Sin

Scripture gives a sobering warning:

“The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9)

Persistent, unrepentant sin leads to judgment. Hell is not a metaphor—it is eternal, conscious punishment under the wrath of God.

This should not be taken lightly. Many hear the truth, sit in church, and yet never truly repent.

Application: A Call to Holiness

Marriage carries sacred responsibilities:

But beyond marriage, every believer is called to holiness.

“Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Romans 12:9)

The greatest enemy is not outside of us—but within. If we do not watch our hearts, sin will master us.

So what must we do?

“Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

Final Exhortation

Do not play with sin—it will destroy you.
Do not justify sin—God condemns it.
Do not delay repentance—today is the day of salvation.

Flee from sin. Run to Christ. Cling to His Word. And pursue holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.