Exodus 20:14 says, “You shall not commit adultery.” If there is a commandment about adultery, it means that there are corresponding consequences of adultery in the bible.
There are many bible verses on marriage problems; with adultery being one of them. Adultery or infidelity is also one of the leading causes of divorce.
In the old testament, the consequences of adultery were harsh because the perpetrator had to be put to death (Leviticus 20:10).
But in the new testament, when the teachers of the law and the Pharisees were about to stone the woman who was caught in the act of adultery, Jesus refused. He said that he does not condemn her (John 8:3-11).
Adultery has been happening since then and it is still happening even today. It is a topic that cannot be avoided because it is happening in many households including Christian households.
So whether your spouse has committed adultery or you have committed adultery or you have thoughts of committing adultery or you want to help someone dealing with adultery, this article is for you.
Table of Contents
- Consequences Of Adultery In The Bible
- Spiritual Consequences Of Adultery
- How To Deal With Adultery Biblically
- Consequences Of Adultery In Marriage
- What Does The Bible Say About An Adulterous Woman
- What Does The Bible Say About An Adulterous Man
- Bible Adultery Forgiveness
- What Does The Bible Say About Affairs Of The Heart
Consequences Of Adultery In The Bible
1. An adulterer had to be put to death
In the old testament, the consequence of adultery was death.
Leviticus 20:10-12 says, “‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death. “‘If a man has sexual relations with his father’s wife, he has dishonored his father. Both the man and the woman are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. “‘If a man has sexual relations with his daughter-in-law, both of them are to be put to death. What they have done is a perversion; their blood will be on their own heads.
Deuteronomy 22:22-24 says “If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. If a man happens to meet in a town a virgin pledged to be married and he sleeps with her, you shall take both of them to the gate of that town and stone them to death—the young woman because she was in a town and did not scream for help, and the man because he violated another man’s wife. You must purge the evil from among you.”
2. Consequences of adultery in the bible: Will not inherit the kingdom of God
The bible classifies an adulterer as a wrongdoer and wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9 says, “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men”
3. Consequences of adultery in the bible: Divorce
Divorce is one of the consequences of adultery in the bible.
Matthew 5:32 says, “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
4. Consequences of adultery in the bible: God no longer accepts your offerings
Malachi 2:13-14 says, “Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.”
This means that God stops accepting your offerings when you commit adultery, which is a consequence of adultery in the bible.
5. Consequences of adultery in the bible: You experience adultery in your household
The consequence of adultery in the bible was that you would experience the same sin in your household. If a man committed adultery it meant that his wife would also cheat uncontrollably on him.
After David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, she fell pregnant and he destroyed her husband, and this is what God said to him:
2 Samuel 12:10-11: Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
6. Consequences of adultery in the bible: The children’s lives are short-lived
In the bible when someone had committed adultery, God would sometimes cause death on those children birthed out of adultery.
After David cheated and impregnated Bathsheba, they lost that child.
2 Samuel 12:14 says, “However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”
Also Revelations 2:22-23 says, “I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead.”
7. Consequences of adultery in the bible: God makes them sick
Revelations 2:21-22 says, “And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds”
The biblical consequence of adultery is that one becomes sick and also the people that they commit adultery with.
8. Consequences of adultery in the bible: God judges you
Malachi 3:5 says, “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers…,” says the Lord Almighty.
Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral
9. Consequences of adultery in the bible: They will be punished
Proverbs 6:29 and Proverbs 7:29 both say the same words, “So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.”
So the consequence of adultery in the bible is punishment.
10. Consequences of adultery in the bible: You lose your honor, dignity and money
Proverbs 5:8-10 says, “Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another.”
11. Consequences of adultery in the bible: The children are rejected
When kids are conceived out of adultery, the children are rejected. They end up not receiving the parental love that they deserve.
Hosea 2:2-5 says “Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adulterous look from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts. Otherwise I will strip her naked and make her as bare as on the day she was born; I will make her like a desert, turn her into a parched land, and slay her with thirst. I will not show my love to her children, because they are the children of adultery. Their mother has been unfaithful and has conceived them in disgrace.”
Spiritual Consequences Of Adultery
1. Spiritual consequences of adultery: You become one with the person you commit adultery with
When you commit adultery, you become united to the person you have slept with. It means that you are now spiritually married. And whatever is in their spirit and body, it is also transferred to you.
That is why the bible in 1 Corinthians 6:16-18 says, “Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
2. Spiritual consequences of adultery: You lose your marital covering
The spiritual consequence of adultery is that it causes chaos in families. The woman might start to disrespect her husband and the husband stops showing affection to his wife. And now both parties might commit adultery.
That is why after David had committed adultery, the bible says in 2 Samuel 12:11, “I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.”
3. Spiritual consequences of adultery: It blocks further blessings
When there is adultery in the marriage, it divides the couple. It halts the full potential and plans that the couple had.
And because the people are living in sin, God can no longer listen to their prayers. That is why Malachi 2:13-14 says, “Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.”
4. Spiritual consequences of adultery: The children born out of adultery suffer
One of the spiritual consequences of adultery is that if there are children that happen to be born as a result of adultery, they might suffer. Those children might be under a curse as a result of their parent’s sins.
Exodus 34:7 says, “Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
The child of David that was born as a result of adultery also suffered and he passed on.
In 2 Samuel 12:14-15,18 the bible says, “But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.” After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. On the seventh day the child died.
Revelations 2:22-23 says, “I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead.”
How To Deal With Adultery Biblically
When a spouse commits adultery, you go through so many emotions and you don’t even know what is the best way to deal with it.
You might be a victim of adultery in marriage and are wondering how to deal with it biblically. Maybe it is not the first time that your spouse had an affair and wonder if you should forgive or if you should take the route of divorce.
You can also read these tips on how to deal with a cheating husband or even these practical tips on how to ignore a cheating husband as you navigate how best to deal with adultery in your marriage.
1. How to deal with adultery biblically: The bible allows you to be angry
Firstly, cheating shouldn’t be taken lightly. It has the potential to bring out the worst reaction in any person. So the bible does allow you to be angry, as long as you do not sin. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”
2. How to deal with adultery biblically: Cry to God
After finding out that your partner committed adultery, you won’t help it but cry. You will feel betrayed and like your heart has been torn into pieces.
But Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
3. How to deal with adultery biblically: Communicate your feelings
The bible says you should communicate with your spouse about your feelings. James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
At this point, you might not feel like talking to your cheating spouse or even praying for them. But the bible encourages us to confess our sins and pray for them because that is what will bring healing.
4. How To Deal With Adultery Biblically: Allow God to be the judge
You might want to determine the kind of punishment that your adulterous spouse deserves, but leave it to God. God will deal with him or her at the right time.
Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral”
5. How To Deal With Adultery Biblically: Don’t take it personal
After your spouse has committed adultery, you might feel like the victim. You might ask yourself why they betrayed you and even wonder if you do not fulfil them.
But the bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”
So it is important to know that when someone is committing adultery, they are sinning against their own body.
6. How To Deal With Adultery Biblically: Don’t seek revenge
After a spouse has committed adultery you might want to revenge, but that is not how to deal with adultery biblically.
The bible says in Romans 12:9, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”
7. How To Deal With Adultery Biblically: Choose to forgive
The bible in Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
The Lord also commanded Hosea to forgive his wife and take her back after she committed adultery. Hosea 3:1 says “Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.””
8. How To Deal With Adultery Biblically: Don’t be anxious
You might be feeling anxious as a result of your spouse who committed adultery, and it might even affect your health if you allow it to stress you.
The bible in Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
9. The bible permits you to divorce if you wish
If you feel that you can no longer be in a marriage with an adulterous spouse, the bible allows you to terminate the marriage.
Matthew 5:32 says, “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
10. How To Deal With Adultery Biblically: Stand firm
The bible in 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Consequences Of Adultery In Marriage
1. It leads to divorce
The major consequence of adultery in marriage is that it leads to divorce. One of the leading causes of divorce in marriage is infidelity. And when the parents separate, the children suffer.
2. It leads to sicknesses
When a person commits adultery, there is a risk of contracting diseases or sexually transmitted diseases which might infect the faithful spouse.
Revelations 2:22 says, “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds”
3. It leads to conflict and unhealthy marriage
Once it becomes evident that one of the parties have cheated in the marriage, it results in conflict. The couple might always be fighting or arguing which is unhealthy for the marriage and kids.
4. Trust is broken
Another consequence of adultery in marriage is that it breaks the trust. And once the trust is broken it can be difficult to repair it. And this results in insecurities and trust issues.
5. Money is lost
Committing adultery can be costly because you are now forced to also spend on the person that you are having an affair with. This means that now there is lesser money that has to be going towards building the home, or savings or to be used on the children.
Proverbs 5:8-10 says, “Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another.
6. It leads to loss of life
When someone commits adultery in marriage, it might lead to a loss of life. How many men have ended the lives of their spouses because they found out they were cheating? Some even end the lives of the people they committed adultery with.
That is why Proverbs 6:34 says, “For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.”
What Does The Bible Say About An Adulterous Woman
Here are some of the things the bible says about an adulterous woman:
1. God will cast an adulterous woman into a sickbed
Revelations 2:21-22 says, “And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds”
2. She should stop being unfaithful
Hosea 2:2 says, “Let her remove the adulterous look from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts”
3. An adulterous woman should live a life free of sin
John 8:3-11 says, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
What Does The Bible Say About An Adulterous Man
There are many bible verses that talk about an adulterous man and here are a few:
1. He has no sense and he destroys himself
Proverbs 6:32-33 says, “But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.”
2. A man who commits adultery has to be put to death
Leviticus 20:10 says, “‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.
3. You flood the Lord’s alter but you are unfaithful to your wife
Malachi 2:13-14 says, “Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.”
4. An adulterous man will be punished
Proverbs 6:29 and Proverbs 7:29 both say the same words, “So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.”
Bible Adultery Forgiveness
If you have committed adultery or you have a spouse that has committed adultery, it doesn’t mean that it is over with you; the bible talks of forgiveness.
The Lord commanded Hosea to forgive his wife and take her back after she committed adultery. Hosea 3:1 says “Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.”
What Does The Bible Say About Affairs Of The Heart
Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Psalm 101:2
I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.
Conclusion
Consequences of adultery can be severe and sometimes they might not even be seen with the naked eye. If you have committed adultery before and you are worried that God’s wrath will fall on you or you will be punished, it is never to late to repent. God forgives all sins and he can even restore your marriage.
