Chapter 9: Do Not Commit Adultery — Sexual Ethics, Marriage, and Digital Temptation

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Kingdom Ethics and the Ten Commandments Today

Relevance for the Church, Culture Wars, Law vs. Grace, and Christian Discipleship

This chapter focuses on the Seventh Commandment — “You shall not commit adultery” (Exod. 20:14) — and its application for sexual ethics, marriage, and integrity in a digital age.

1. Introduction

The Seventh Commandment states clearly:

“You shall not commit adultery.”
— Exodus 20:14 (NRSV)

At its heart, this commandment protects the sanctity of marriage, the integrity of relationships, and the moral fabric of society. In today’s world, Kingdom ethics extend this principle to address lust, pornography, infidelity, and digital temptation, recognising the profound impact on families and communities.

2. Historical and Cultural Context

2.1. Ancient Israel

  • Adultery was considered a serious covenant violation, often punishable by death (Lev. 20:10)
  • Marriage was a covenantal institution, reflecting God’s faithfulness
  • Sexual ethics reinforced social stability and communal trust

2.2. Covenant Symbolism

Marriage symbolised God’s covenant with His people (Hos. 2:19–20). Adultery was not merely a personal sin but a spiritual metaphor for infidelity to God.

3. Jesus and the Heart of the Commandment

Jesus expands the scope beyond physical acts:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery in his heart.”
— Matthew 5:27–28

Kingdom ethics emphasise internal purity, self-control, and faithfulness, not merely outward compliance.

4. Contemporary Challenges

4.1. Marital Fidelity

  • Rising divorce rates and cohabitation trends challenge covenantal understanding
  • Kingdom ethics affirm faithfulness, commitment, and sacrificial love (Eph. 5:22–33)

4.2. Digital Temptation

  • Pornography and social media create new avenues for lust and infidelity
  • Online interactions can compromise boundaries and integrity
  • The Spirit enables self-control and discernment (Gal. 5:16–17)

4.3. Sexual Ethics Beyond Marriage

  • Premarital and extramarital sexual relationships conflict with God’s design
  • Kingdom ethics call for responsibility, honour, and respect for others (1 Thess. 4:3–5)

5. The Spirit and Sexual Integrity

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to:

  • Resist temptation (1 Cor. 10:13)
  • Cultivate self-control (Gal. 5:22–23)
  • Pursue holiness in thought and action (1 Pet. 1:15–16)

Kingdom ethics transform obedience from duty to delight in honouring God and others.

6. Practical Applications

6.1. Personal Practices

  • Guard the heart and mind through prayer, accountability, and Scripture (Phil. 4:8)
  • Set boundaries in relationships and digital consumption
  • Pursue purity, honesty, and integrity

6.2. Family and Community

  • Model faithful marriage within family and church
  • Teach children and youth about God’s design for sexuality
  • Create supportive communities that resist sexual exploitation

7. Conclusion

The Seventh Commandment protects the sacredness of human relationships and reflects God’s faithfulness. Kingdom ethics call Christians to heart-level integrity, resisting lust and infidelity, and modelling faithful, honourable relationships in both private and public life.

“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against the body itself.”
— 1 Corinthians 6:18

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