Adultery, spiritual

The link between sexual sin and spiritual adultery

In practice

Numbers 25:1–3 KJV 1900

And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.

See also Ex 34:15; Ho 4:14

In false teaching

Revelation 2:20–25 KJV 1900

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

See also Nu 31:15–16; 2 Ti 3:6; 2 Pe 2:13–15; Jud 4; Jud 8; Re 2:14–16

Spiritual adultery and God’s covenant relationship with his people

God as a husband to his people

Eze 16:8 The spiritual relationship between God and his people is defined in terms of the intimate and exclusive bond of marriage.

See also Is 54:5; Je 3:14; Je 31:32; Eph 5:31–32

God is jealous for his people’s affections

Ex 34:14 Just as husband and wife are jealous for their relationship in love, so God is jealous for the affections of his people.

See also Ex 20:4–5; Dt 4:23–24; Dt 6:13–15

The history of spiritual adultery among God’s people

Before Israel’s kings

Deuteronomy 31:16 KJV 1900

And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.

See also Le 17:7–9; Le 20:4–6; Jdg 2:16–17; Jdg 8:27; Jdg 8:33–34

In the northern kingdom of Israel

Hosea 1:2 KJV 1900

The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord.

See also 1 Ch 5:25; Eze 23:1–8; Ho 2:2–3; Ho 4:10–12; Ho 5:3–4

In the southern kingdom of Judah

Jeremiah 3:1–3 KJV 1900

They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the Lord. Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness. Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.

See also 2 Ch 21:10–11; Is 57:3–8; Je 2:20; Je 5:7–8; Je 23:13–14; Eze 16:15–22; Eze 23:11–21

In Jesus Christ’s generation

Matthew 12:38–39 KJV 1900

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

See also Mt 16:4

God’s judgment on spiritual adultery

Jeremiah 19:3–5 KJV 1900

And say, Hear ye the word of the Lord, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle. Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents; They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:

See also Je 3:6–10; Je 16:10–13; Eze 23:36–49

Believers are not to be drawn into spiritual adultery

1 John 2:15–17 KJV 1900

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

See also 1 Co 10:6–11; Col 3:5; Heb 3:12–14; Heb 10:26–31; Jas 4:4–5; 1 Jn 5:21