You shall not commit adultery
The Awakening Conscience by William Holman Hunt 1853.
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The Apostle Paul wrote:
William Holman Hunt produced several works with a moral or religious theme. He called this painting ‘The Awakening Conscience’ which depicts a man and woman in an adulterous relationship. It shows the woman leaping off from his lap as it dawns on her that what she has been doing is wrong.
Adultery is defined in English Law as the voluntary sexual union between a married person and someone of the opposite sex who is not their spouse.
For the Christian, marriage is a sacred institution, encapsulated by an exclusive sexual relationship. Their physical union unites two people fully committed to each other for life in a unique spiritual way and creates a deep emotional bond between them. It is a holy act that provides the emotional glue to hold a marriage together during tough times.
For good reason, the seventh of the ten commandments given to the Jews by God through Moses states categorically in Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18;
‘You shall not commit adultery’
When adultery takes place, another person enters this unique spiritual relationship and damages the bonding between husband and wife. Often, but not always, it will have been accompanied by lies to cover up what has been going on. The result is a shattering of trust and a feeling by the innocent party of complete rejection. A bond may well also have been formed by the guilty spouse with the third person. Frequently, but not always, the marriage is destroyed.
However, the relationship can be repaired, but it takes a desire by both parties to want to repair it. Total repentance by the guilty party is essential, along with forgiveness by the innocent one. Complete confession by the guilty party to God and to another trusted person of the same sex is needed. That person cannot be a close friend or relative and must be able to listen objectively, in complete confidence and without judgement.
The emotional bond with the third person has to be permanently broken or there will always be the desire to return to him/her. This may need the guilty party to be counselled by a spiritual adviser and to be accountable to them.
If the innocent spouse is unaware of what has happened, a decision has to be made as to whether or not to tell them. However, the best interest of the innocent party must be the overriding consideration in that decision.
The repair of the marriage will take time, as trust will take a long time to build up again.
Adultery is defined in English Law as the voluntary sexual union between a married person and someone of the opposite sex who is not their spouse.
For the Christian, marriage is a sacred institution, encapsulated by an exclusive sexual relationship. Their physical union unites two people fully committed to each other for life in a unique spiritual way and creates a deep emotional bond between them. It is a holy act that provides the emotional glue to hold a marriage together during tough times.
For good reason, the seventh of the ten commandments given to the Jews by God through Moses states categorically in Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18;
‘You shall not commit adultery’
When adultery takes place, another person enters this unique spiritual relationship and damages the bonding between husband and wife. Often, but not always, it will have been accompanied by lies to cover up what has been going on. The result is a shattering of trust and a feeling by the innocent party of complete rejection. A bond may well also have been formed by the guilty spouse with the third person. Frequently, but not always, the marriage is destroyed.
However, the relationship can be repaired, but it takes a desire by both parties to want to repair it. Total repentance by the guilty party is essential, along with forgiveness by the innocent one. Complete confession by the guilty party to God and to another trusted person of the same sex is needed. That person cannot be a close friend or relative and must be able to listen objectively, in complete confidence and without judgement.
The emotional bond with the third person has to be permanently broken or there will always be the desire to return to him/her. This may need the guilty party to be counselled by a spiritual adviser and to be accountable to them.
If the innocent spouse is unaware of what has happened, a decision has to be made as to whether or not to tell them. However, the best interest of the innocent party must be the overriding consideration in that decision.
The repair of the marriage will take time, as trust will take a long time to build up again.
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