2 Samuel 11:4-5(KJV)
And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
The story of David and Bathsheba outlines the horror of adultery and where it leads. As a king, David should’ve been in battle with all his mighty men. Instead, he was in the wrong place, opening him up to temptation. Walking along the roof of his palace, he saw a beautiful Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, bathing, and he was immediately drawn to her and sent messengers to find out who she was. The messengers returned with her name as the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah. Despite David knowing she was married, he sent for her and slept with her. In the process of this adulterous sin, she got pregnant. In committing adultery with Bathsheba, David violated her and her family, who had loyally served him. To cover for his actions and free Bathsheba from suspicion of infidelity, he calls Uriah from the front to sleep with his wife. But the soldier repeatedly refuses to go to his house, swearing loyalty to the troops. When David did all he could to get Uriah to sleep with his wife, it didn’t work. So, king David played his last card by giving Bathsheba’s husband a letter to Joab to put Uriah in the front line where the fighting was fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die. So, Uriah was killed by treachery, and David claimed Bathsheba as his wife, her child as his own. David’s lust for Bathsheba marked the beginning of his long decline. God punished David, the first consequence being the death of the infant conceived in adultery. Though God forgave him, he still suffered the consequences of his wrongdoing.
Adultery is any illicit sexual relationship between a married person and another person (s) apart from the spouse. It is one of the commandments given to the Israelites(Exodus 20:14). It is an act that contradicts God’s laid down plan, principle, and practice concerning sexual behavior. Adultery alters both human relationships and the relationship between the adulterer and God Himself. Adultery is not just sinning against God(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) but also against our soul(1 Peter 2:11) and body(1 Corinthians 6:18). Proverbs 9:17 says, “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” Adultery may appear sweet, but it is the highway to disaster. The sweet apple may look ripe, but inside it may be rotten. The truth is, the flesh will pose the immediate and temporary gratification and cover up the ultimate, gigantic, and massive loss without recovery. Like fire, it becomes destructive if it gets out of control. Adultery makes us vulnerable to sickness, satanic attacks, and curses. Many people are drawn by their lustful thoughts that lead them into further sin and death. Others are stagnant in life because they committed this dangerous act. In our longing for intimacy, we must not settle for swiftness. No one commits adultery out of love, for love respects marriage bonds and God’s intent for sex. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 says, “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”
Beloved, indulging in adultery is always a losing proposition. Adultery strips the glory of God away from you and clothes you in rags and shame. It never adds anything to you but always takes away your prized possessions. Your life as a Christian is a living witness to others, and you cannot break the laws of God without hindering others from coming to Christ. You must live in holiness before this sinful and wicked world, not according to their standards but to God’s standard in the Bible. Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it has committed sin. So, knowing not to commit adultery and doing it is a sin before God. Today, cut down every tree of adulterous lust in your heart before it cuts off your destiny. Whatever separates God from you is something to resist by all means! God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. Ask God to forgive and help you if you are struggling with a lifestyle of immorality. Avoid any act or association that could lead to adultery. Remember, flee adultery to escape destruction.
O Lord, give me the grace not to fall into any trap of adultery. Help me not to become a victim of immorality in Jesus’ Name.