The sin of adultery is explicitly condemned in Scripture. It was prohibited in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14) which God gave as a foundation for the rest of the laws given to the nation of Israel. In the New Testament, Paul listed adulterers as those who “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9). The Hebrew writer said that adulterers will be judged by God (Hebrews 13:4). In fact, Jesus gave fornication (which is adultery when committed by a married person) as the only cause that gave one divine permission to put away his spouse (Matthew 19:9).

Not only does God specifically condemn adultery, but society generally looks down upon it as well. The wise man said, “Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry; but when he is found, he must repay sevenfold; he must give all the substance of his house. The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; he who would destroy himself does it. Wounds and disgrace he will find, and his reproach will not be blotted out. For jealousy enrages a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance” (Proverbs 6:30-34). This passage does not justify stealing while condemning adultery – both were condemned (Exodus 20:14-15). But the wise man’s point was that man tends to be sympathetic toward one who steals solely out of hunger. For the adulterer, there is no excuse in the eyes of man – particularly with the husband of the wife who participated in the affair. Instead, the adulterer becomes a target for wounds, disgrace, and vengeance.

Despite the fact that there are many deterrents to adultery, this sin remains prevalent. Why is that? I believe we can begin to see why as we examine the warnings about the adulteress (Proverbs 7). As she was described in that chapter, we read of her doing everything she could to remove the roadblocks that stood between a man and the sin of adultery. She wanted to portray the sin as not only pleasurable, but also convenient and without consequence. Let us notice some of the roadblocks – those things which help deter us from committing adultery – and see how the adulteress strives to take those roadblocks out of the way.
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