Adultery’s Commission And Consequences
God takes adultery personally… “You have despised me,” II Samuel 12:10.
God takes adultery as a rejection of His word. “Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight?” II Samuel 12:9
The enemy takes adultery as rejoicing. “By this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.” II Samuel 12:14
Adultery’s stigma is permanent. “Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house … .” II Samuel 12:10
Adultery done in private, the punishment is public. “Indeed, you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.” II Samuel 12:12
The adulterer is surprised by their sin. They are surprised that they get by with it as long as they do. They are surprised when they get caught. They are surprised how many people were injured and some destroyed. They are surprised that God looked at their sin as a personal insult.
When a preacher commits adultery, he does one of the most stupid things of his life. Hardly any other wrong act he ever does will have nearly as far-reaching consequences as adultery.
The adulterer will have to live with the effects of his transgression the rest of his life.
Everything about adultery is sad and when that adulterer is a preacher:
His ministry is gone.
His humiliation is severe.
Those who followed and trusted him feel betrayed.
In the end, no amount of excuses can ever change the damage.
His family is deeply wounded, sometimes irreparably.
Other preachers are tainted by being in the work ministry as was he.
The guilt from his folly will dog him the rest of his life.
The offended church is going to find out what it really believes.
Less preachers would attempt the lure of lust that leads to adultery if they would heed the warning of 1 Cor. 6:18 to “flee fornication.” The key word there is FLEE! Do not hesitate—run! Those that linger and ponder are treading very dangerous thin ice. You win by flight, just as Joseph did… you survive by retreat! How many preachers would have had a vastly different outcome in life if they had simply ran?