Tag: Adultery

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The Bottom Line

SEPTEMBER 21

MATTHEW 7:5_Thou hypocrite…

Jesus knew two things in the incident of the woman taken in adultery. He knew the condition of her heart now, and in her past. He knew the circumstances which led to this incident at this time. We can’t expect our earthly authorities to know all of this, but the Holy Spirit can reveal truth. Besides the fact that He knew her heart, Jesus had the ability to read her heart in her facial expressions and body language. 

There was something else Jesus knew – the hearts of the Scribes and Pharisees who brought her before Him. He knew more about them than they knew about each other, or even about themselves. Remember John 8:5-6 (KJV), “ ‘Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such [adulterers] should be stoned: but what sayest thou?’ 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him …”

Jesus understood the real purpose for the Scribes and Pharisees bringing the woman. It had nothing to do with justice of the Law. It had nothing to do with adultery.  The bottom line was to bring Jesus down. At the time this occurred, Jesus was in the temple teaching. The Pharisees’ goal was to cause Jesus to look ignorant before the multitude of followers who sat at His feet.

If Jesus were a true God-fearing Jew, He would uphold the Law. If He didn’t enforce the Law, then everyone in the temple that day would know Jesus was a heretic.

We’re not finished with this subject yet!

PRAYER

Father God, Help me become discerning of the hearts of others. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                              

 Christ knows true hearts from false—He helps mine!

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You Decide

AUGUST 10

MATTHEW 6:29_that even Solomon…

Solomon is an interesting man. He was the son of King David and Bathsheba. He was not the son of their adulterous affair, that son died shortly after birth. David repented of his departure from God’s path and God gave them other sons. God’s hand was on Solomon from birth. II Samuel 12:24 (KJV) records Solomon’s birth, “And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him.” God loved Solomon from the day of his birth. This is specifically recorded in Scripture because of David’s deep repentance and God’s great mercy. Perhaps, it is a kind of peace offering between the two.

Because God loves you from the day you are born (and even before), He has a plan for your life. Your plan in life is unique to you. Otherwise the world would be a pretty odd place.

For life to function there must be leaders, and there must be followers. There must be teachers, and there must be students. There must be administrators, and there must be workers. There must be coaches, and there must be players. It’s how life works.

You have a natural response in your spirit to what God calls you to be. As always, you decide to follow or not.   

PRAYER

Dear Savior, Thank You that You loved me before I was born. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ calls me to a plan—He will show it to me!

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The Perfect Plan

APRIL 9

MATTHEW 5:32_and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Is Jesus too harsh on divorce? He brings adultery into the picture after the divorce! Why?

In Mark 10:5-8, Jesus went back to the beginning – to creation itself – to the original marriage – to God’s perfect plan. The Garden of Eden was perfection and everlasting life. Adam and Eve blew the whole plan by their disobedience to God, all life reaped the consequence – sin. Life will continue to reap sin consequences until an end comes, and all things are made new.

God’s perfect plan for marriage is one man and one woman for life. Their union causes them to become one. Perhaps Jesus adds adultery to re-marriage because no piece of paper (divorce contract) can sever God’s design of the physical union. The divorce contract can sever the legality of the marriage, but it cannot sever the oneness of flesh. This is why sexual sins are so devastating.

Why is purity marriage insurance? Foremost, it is God’s plan. His plan builds love by denying the flesh and bonding spirits – two people for each other. It builds respect for each other. It builds loyalty for one and only one. Aren’t those things you want in marriage?

We discussed before how impurity spells betrayal like no other sin. It is definitely one of the hardest to forgive. The Great Hope can give power to forgive. He asks you to do no more for your betrayer than He has done for you.

This is not to simplify the devastation. It may require a time of separation., and the key word in this sentence is time. Running straight to the divorce court does not give The Great Surgeon time for the surgery – including the time for healing and recovery. The basis of any decision has to be what action you believe will please Jesus.

When the marriage is broken beyond repair (one spouse has re-married), The Great Hope has good news. An individual life is not beyond repair.

Jesus repairs broken lives.

Jesus wants to bring His love into all families. Let Jesus use you to shine His love in your family.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, Some of Your teachings are very difficult and hard. I know they are all designed for the very best life. I want that! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                    

Christ loves God’s original plan—I want to love it!

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Marriage Insurance

 APRIL 8

MATTHEW 5:32_saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery…

Fornication is sexual behavior outside of marriage. If you have sexual relations after marriage with someone other than your spouse, it is adultery. Some commentaries I’ve read say the word for fornication used in this verse means both adultery and sexual acts by single people. 

When Jesus referred to “what hath been said” He refers to Deuteronomy 24:1-4. This is a case where you entered into marriage believing your spouse came to you as a virgin. If after marriage you discover otherwise, or if your spouse is unfaithful during your marriage, then divorce is permissible. 

The single greatest thing you can do to ensure a fulfilling lifetime marriage is to have Jesus in your heart. Let Him lead you to someone in whose heart He also resides. The second greatest thing you can do for marriage insurance is to remain a virgin. If it is too late for you to remain a virgin, allow The Great Hope to keep you pure from now until your marriage.

Never underestimate the power of purity!

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, I want to live my life in the way You teach me. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                            

Christ is marriage insurance—I trust His Words!

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It Came From God

MARCH 29

MATTHEW 5:28_hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

If David had turned away when he saw Bathsheba the story would have a different ending. But he looked long enough for his heart to develop lust. The second look sealed his fate. 

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV), “For as he [mankind] thinketh in his heart, so is he …” Everyone obeys their heart. You’ve learned you think with your heart, and what’s inside the heart is who you are. If a man with such a heart as David, could fall so deeply into sin – pay attention to what Jesus teaches.

Because of the power of his position, it was no problem for David to have Bathsheba brought to him for an adulterous affair. That would have been bad enough; the consequences would have plagued him for life. But the adultery led to something deeper – murder. 

King David’s powerful position did not save him from severe punishment for his actions. His punishment did not come from man – it came from God.

David did not have enough political power to save himself from God’s judgment!  

Serious stuff!

PRAYER

Lord God, Teach me to be careful what I allow into my heart. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                

Christ wants my heart to be pure—He can purify it!