What is Adultery?
Adultery is being sexually involved with someone outside of the bonds of marriage. It is a sin that separates a Christian from God. Adultery hardens an unrepentant heart.
Responses
Step One: Confession Frees a Person from Misery
We can learn a lot from David’s example in the Bible about confessing sin to God and one another. David committed adultery with Bathsheba (1 Samuel 11:1-27). David was depressed before he confessed his sin of adultery (Ps. 32:3-5). A cloud of shame and guilt hung over David, because he did not confess his sin. David confessed his adultery and God forgave him. David received great joy when he received forgiveness.
Confession is the first step of healing in a relationship. Disharmony drains a person’s energy and distracts them from practicing other things that foster spiritual vitality. If a person refuses to deal with the problem, it will not go away; it will simply go underground and fester. Without confession there is no freedom. Confession leads to healing. Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” It is important to honestly assess mistakes, confess wrongs to one another and to God, and strive to avoid such mistakes in the future.
Step Two: Be Thankful and Recall God’s Mercy
Be thankful even in the mist of difficult situations. Allow God to replace bad memories with positive memories of the future. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ” (I Thess. 5:16-18).
Remember the wrongs you have committed in your life. Thank God for His grace and forgiveness for the things you have done in your life. “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13).
Step Three: Deal and Work through The Past
Face your painful memories and put them at the foot of Jesus. Read Philippines 4:8 every day. Dwell on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, whatever is excellent or worthy of praise, think on these things.
Step Four: Do Not Harbor Bitterness
Harbor against bitterness. Hebrews 12:14,15 reads, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Always love those who are wayward. How a trial is handled will be the key to victory-not only for the one who was hurt, but for everyone involved.
Step Five: Remember God’s Character
Focus on these passages:
The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love (Psalms 147:11).
A faithful God who does not wrong, upright and just is he (Deut. 32:4).
God turns evil into good.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done (Gen. 50:20).
Step Six: Forgive
To forgive – follow these steps: (1) give rather than receive; (2) think about what lies ahead; (3) repeat scripture; (4) give the situation to God; (4) pray for those who have hurt you; (5) do not bring up the offense again; and (6) express God’s grace and mercy.
Remember the entire good God has done through the pain, and then victory will come. God’s grace will enable you to forgive until the need to forgive is forgotten.