“You Shall Not Commit Adultery” #1428

27 Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared? 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent. (Proverbs 6:27–29, NKJV)

Just as one cannot put a firebrand to his chest without getting scorched, or walk on hot coals without burning his feet, adultery will not leave the person who yields to its temptation untouched by its pain, sorrow, and regret. Then, there is the broken trust, the broken marriages, and the lives of spouses and children that are left is tatters. And for what? For a tantalizing, momentary thrill? To fulfill fleshly lust? To escape the monotony of marriage? To follow the deceptive lie that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence? Adultery is a betrayal of vows made before God and of trust mutually shared. It dishonors the bodies of those involved, while shaming God who gave the body for holiness, not moral defilement (1 Corinthians 6:16-20). Guard yourself against this transgression against your own flesh (Genesis 2:23; Ephesians 5:28-31). God’s warning is clear: “Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul,” and, “Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away” (Proverbs 6:32, 33). God’s command against adultery is for your protection and purity (Romans 13:9). Honor your marriage by maintaining holy sexuality (Hebrews 13:4).

Against Nature #1111

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:26–27, NKJV)

Vile passions constitute a constant burning of desire that consumes and controls one’s entire being. This passage makes it very clear that homosexual impulses, when acted upon, are among such “vile passions.” Those who practice homosexuality have “exchanged the truth of God for the lie” that their passions and practices are normal and natural (Rom. 1:25). They are not. Scripture says homosexuality is a chosen, sinful behavior, not a congenital trait (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Twice, the apostle notes that homosexual conduct conflicts with the “natural use” of the body. God created male and female to perfectly answer to one another, body and soul (Gen. 2:18-25). To change this divine arrangement into a shameful sin is a fraudulent perversion of sexuality that brings just penalty and punishment. It is quite apparent that that truth has been exchanged for a lie when one practices homosexuality, or when one accepts homosexuality as normal and natural. This work of the flesh requires repentance, as do all the rest (Gal. 5:19-21).