As we continue our series looking at the Ten Commandments, it is interesting to notice that nowhere in the Ten Commandments does God give a commandment about worshipping Him in a particular building. The reason for this is that God intended to be worshipped by His people in the temple that He constructed: our bodies. There is nothing inherently wrong with a building, but Jesus didn’t lay down His life for buildings.

Do not commit adultery.

Exodus 20:14 (CSB)

The topic of infidelity in marriage is a sensitive subject, but it is sadly too present in our society. One study showed that over 90% of Americans consider infidelity immoral. That same study also showed that 30%-40% of Americans cheated on their partners. This travesty is not something that is linked to just one generation either. It was reported that of those polled, the same number of 18-29-year-olds were unfaithful to their partner as were those over the age of 65.^[1] https://comparecamp.com/cheating-statistics/

While God was looking to preserve and show the blessing of marriage in the 7th Commandment, He was also concerned in making sure that we had a temple that was prepared and ready to worship Him at any given moment.

What the Bible says about our body

When we look through the pages of the Bible, we will recognize some interesting words shared about our bodies.

Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (CSB)

When we were created, God had in mind for each one of us to be a temple in which He would dwell and we could worship Him from. Though sin has defiled our temples, God has offered us His grace through Jesus Christ. Anyone who hears the gospel and responds to it can have their sin forgiven and be made a new creation.

But to all who did receive [Jesus], he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name

John 1:12 (CSB)

Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (CSB)

This means that our bodies are the place that we meet and worship God. We must keep this temple that God has given to us for worship clean.

God takes our bodies very seriously. We should also take our bodies seriously. We would like to think that we can do whatever we want, whenever we want. The truth is, if we have given our lives to Christ, then it belongs to Him and He gets to call the shots.

How does marriage play into this?

The marriage relationship is a very special one that God has given to mankind. This relationship was given to us for several reasons.

Partnership

When God created man, He recognized that it was not good for him to be alone.

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.”

Genesis 2:18 (CSB)

The marriage relationship is one like none other. Both husband and wife play an important role in the life of each other: one that completes the equation. It is no wonder the Bible tells us, “A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD”(Proverbs 18:22).

Intimacy

This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.

Genesis 2:24 (CSB)

This is talking about the intimacy that is between a husband and wife. It is not just physical but involves the whole person. It has to do with the emotional and spiritual aspects of the couple’s lives as well.

Safe place for children

The family is the first institution that God created. The family illustrates our relationship with God like no other. God wanted to create a safe environment where generations could be raised knowing His truth and following Him.

The Damage of Adultery

Sadly, God had to include in His list of commandments a warning against adultery that seeks to destroy what He is trying to do. Adultery is an ugly and harmful thing. It is like a vicious tornado leaving destruction in its wake. The problem with adultery is that those who partake do not realize all that it will affect.

The relationship with one’s spouse is based on one’s relationship with God

Since marriage is an institution created by God, it should not be a surprise that when the marriage relationship is hurt so is our relationship with God. We are to worship God with our whole being. When adultery takes place, there is a tear in the relationship, and you are not able to worship God with all that you are.

Your character is tarnished

Traditional marriage vows between a husband and wife contain a promise to be true to one another as long as you both shall live. When that promise is broken, the character of the person is tarnished. Trust in that person is broken, and trust is one thing that takes an extremely long time to build and an even longer time to regain.

The safe haven for children is fractured

Children are delicate creations. They require not just physical nourishment, but spiritual and emotional nourishment as well. When adultery takes place and the division happens between husband and wife, the safe haven that God intends for children is fractured, and they are left to look for that needed nourishment elsewhere.

Jesus’ Commentary

You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go to hell.

Matthew 5:27-30 (CSB)

Jesus shows us that adultery is a matter that begins in our hearts. We may think that there’s nothing wrong with glances and all as long as we do not act, but the truth is that what we allow to fill our hearts will be what directs our actions.

Jesus also uses the tool of hyperbole in stating that we should gouge out our eyes or cut off our hands if they lead us to sin. It is not that Jesus wants us to harm ourselves but to recognize the severity of sin. What a waste it would be to go through life with our bodies intact but then spend eternity in hell because we allowed our hearts to belong to someone other than our Savior.

Conclusion

The 7th Commandment is not just about keeping marriages together (though that is important); it deals with keeping the sanctuary as it should be. It is about being faithful to one’s spouse, children, and most importantly God.

When God told the Israelites in the Old Testament how to consecrate the Tabernacle and the Temple, He showed them that it must be set apart for Him. This was done by applying the blood of a sacrifice to it.

For our lives, we may recognize that our temples are not as they should be. It might be that we have allowed sin to enter in and defile our temple. We need to allow the Lamb of God, Jesus, to apply His cleansing blood to our lives. This blood can bring healing to the deepest wounds.