You Shall Not Commit Adultery

This morning we looked at the 7th commandment “You shall not commit adultery.” We’ve gotten used to looking at the commandments as having both a negative command and a positive command. Last week we saw that the negative command “do not murder” carries with it the positive command to be careful for God’s image bearers.

This week we shall see that the positive command implied by “do not commit adultery” is to have a great marriage with regular times of marital intimacy. A key text we looked at that contains both the negative prohibition, and the positive instruction is Proverbs 5

When considering the positive command to “drink water from your own cistern” let’s consider the reasons why marital intimacy exists. To unite two people together in love. We are told from the beginning that “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and the two will become one flesh.” What does this mean? It means that through the physical act performed in marriage there is a deeper union that is fostered, and union of heart and soul between two individuals, a union that is so powerful that if it is broken or betrayed with adultery immense damage is done to all parties involved. We should “drink of our own cistern” regularly to help grow the bond of union between husband and wife.

Let’s also remember that in this union the gospel is on display. Paul says in Eph 5.

The one flesh union between a man and wife is the only place outside the garden where it is possible to have the kind of love and acceptance, vulnerability and safety, that was present before. It’s the only place we can be naked and unashamed. But this is only a pointer to the true marriage of Christ and his church where his people can be spiritually naked and unashamed before God through the gospel that makes them loved despite their sin and flaws.

Let’s value marriage and marital intimacy for all that God has made of it. May your fountain be blessed, as you rejoice in the wife of your youth.