What Is Adultery and Fornication? – Definition, Meaning & Solution

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Adultery and fornication are rapidly dominating mindsets, lifestyles, and relationships. Essentially, the fine line between an adulterous relationship and a righteous union has become so blurred that it’s easy to mistake one for the other. In this article, you will learn the truth about these dangerous acts and how to stay clear of the two.

What is adultery?

Adultery is the sexual relationship between two (or more) creations that are not lawfully bonded together in marriage—wherein at least one participant is married.

Adulterer vs. fornicator – What is the difference?

An adulterer is a married person who engages in a sexual relationship with one or more other creatures. Whereby any of those other participants may be married or single.

A fornicator, on the other hand, is a single person who partakes in a sexual relationship with one or more other creatures. Whereby any of those other participants may be married or single.

Why is adultery committed?

Adultery happens because of one’s lustful desire for the beauty of the flesh (which gets rapidly seen) and not of the spirit (which is seen only by those who desire it zealously).

Why is adultery wrong?

First, it is crucial to note that adultery is not wrong for everyone, just as sin is not a general offense.

In other words, those who have already sold their lives to Satan need not worry about the wrongfulness of adultery or fornication.

Satan loves both. Therefore, Satan’s children will desire them passionately. (1 John 3:8-10)

However, those who have surrendered (or desire to surrender) their lives to Christ must understand that adultery and fornication are among the sins God detests greatly. They are terrible sins God hates because they are evil acts that bring everlasting death to the body, soul, and spirit (James 1:14-15).

1st Corinthians 6:19-20 teaches that God used Christ’s blood as a ransom to redeem HIS chosen ones. So, nothing belongs to God’s children but to HIM, who has bought them for HIS salvation. In other words, their body, spirit, soul, and everything they possess are all HIS.

Moreover, He who owns it all knows how He desires HIS property to appear consistently. Therefore, if you have genuinely surrendered your life to God, you will also submit the use of your body to Him.

What benefit is there in surrendering your life to God?

Surrendering your life to God allows Christ to make His abode with you. As such, you will have access to everything HE owns. (John 14:20-23)

However, adultery makes adulterers unite with Satan—the father of all sins (John 8:42-44). It also grants adulterers eternal access to everything apportioned to Satan.

How can I stop adultery?

It would help if you first acknowledged that it is impossible to walk righteously without Christ’s faith (Hebrews 11:6). As such, to stop all indulgence in adultery, you would do the following:

1. Believe you can stop it only by God’s strength. (Philippians 4:13)
2. Honestly confess your sins and beseech God to forgive them all. (1 John 1:8-10)
3. Study Christ day and night so that God can equip you to resist all forms of temptations. (Joshua 1:8)
4. Always act as Christ’s child by deliberately refusing to participate in sin. (Genesis 39:7-12)
5. Trust not in your abilities but in Christ’s power to carry you through to HIS perfection. (John 15:5)

God wants you to have an eternally joyful life (John 3:16). Therefore, deliberately shun adultery (death) and walk perfectly in Christ (life) so that God’s righteous crown shall be yours (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Prayer point: Jesus Christ, please use your precious blood to purge away all my sins. Baptize me with your Holy Spirit. And strengthen me to overcome all forms of temptation. Amen.

Further study: James 1:12, Psalm 1