Although cheating seems to be popular and frankly, heralded in our modern society, adultery is very much a grave sin in God's eyes. It is why He said, "thou shalt not commit adultery," listing it as one of the 10 Commandments that all who believe in Him are to follow.
And for those who like to dismiss the Old Testament and claim to be subject to only the New, remember that Jesus said to treat others as you want to be treated. Since no reasonable person would want their spouse to cheat on them, no reasonable Christian, who loves Christ and is led by the Holy Spirit, should commit adultery.
And yet, many of us Christians - married and unmarried - are committing adultery every day. Let me explain.
The adultery in question is of the spiritual variety. Christians are actively cheating on God and thinking nothing of it. This is partly because they have not studied God's word to recognize and understand the gravity of their sinful ways. It is also because they've become stiff-necked and now justify their adultery. They are ignorant of the Vashti line that awaits all who do not realize they need to serve only God Almighty.
How exactly are Christians committing spiritual adultery, you wonder? Well, the very same way the Biblical Israelites did. The only difference is they should know better.
They bow to fame, money, sex, lust, pornography, abortion, celebrity worship, New Age Spirituality and the occult, social media, satanism, self-indulgence, gossip and slander, lies and deceit, murder, alcohol, weed and other drugs, and more. When these modern idols control a person's behavior, they represent the many faces of one evil entity - the devil. And they have taken the place of priority God should have in the lives of those He created.
What do you do first thing in the morning? Do you praise God? Do you read His word for guidance for the rest of your day? Or do you grab your phone to find out what you missed while asleep? Is there someone you text before turning your attention to the God you claim to belong to? Does He get your full attention at some point in the day? Or does everything else take precedence?
Adultery is a sin and God hates it. He also despises seeing those whom He loves giving their affection - the love He should receive - to anything else. He wants fidelity - complete faithfulness and loyalty - the kind expected in a covenant. When that is absent, adultery strengthens, growing like a pebble gathering dirt while rolling down a hill. It starts with a little compromise here and there, becoming full-blown cheating over time. The Lord will teach us and we shall obey His command to be faithful to Him, IJN Amen.
Join us today for fellowship at Noon EST and come back on Friday when we'll learn about some consequences of spiritual adultery.
To learn more, please read:
From myshugashuga - I'm sorry-sorry to derail your thread- but I clicked on the 'Vashti line' link and that article made no sense. It made it seem like her desire to not be paraded around by the king was some sort of sin. He was the prideful one. She seemed like she had had enough of being shown off. Maybe, just maybe, she no longer wanted to be spiritually idolized? Isn't that a good thing?
From M22 - Abba Father I pray that today's message will be a daily reminder for us to put you first in every moment of our lives IJMN Amen
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I renounce all my idols
From M22 - Abba Father I pray that you strengthen us to be faithful in our wakk with you and that you destroy every stronghold of idolatry and spiritual adultery in our lives IJMN Amen
LAST 10 MINUTES
How have you 'cheated' on God? It's easy to say you haven't but take a moment and allow the Holy Spirit to show you the ways you allowed Him to play second fiddle in your life.
We all have at some point.
Maybe it was the desire to finish watching that program when you knew it was time to go pray instead. Or could it be that you cut your Bible study or worship time short because you got a text about some scandalous news that just broke? Sis @Mimzy22 pointed out how bowing to fear causes spiritual adultery. Have you done something similar?
God is a jealous lover but He is also very forgiving. If we repent for pushing Him to the side to satisfy our flesh, He will forgive. And if we ask Him for the wisdom to not repeat the sin, He will give it.
Let's pray together, shall we?
Heavenly Father, thank You for this opportunity to be corrected and disciplined by You. Only Your children experience this blessing. Thank You for teaching me about spiritual adultery and how I am not to commit it. Lord, I repent for every time I have put things, people, and problems before You. Please forgive me for forgetting to give You Your due reverence and position at the apex of my life. I am sorry.
God, I receive Your mercy in faith and now call on You for wisdom on how to not return to this sin in the same way or via some other means. Please give me strategies and discernment to remain mindful so I do not repeat my sin but instead remain focused on giving You Your due glory each day. Thank You, great God, for what You have done for me because I know You have already answered this petition. Isaiah 65:24 - I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! (NLT). Hallelujah! IJMN, I pray, Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for sis @FFJ that you will continue to replenish her beyond measure as she pours into this community. I pray rhat you will continue to increase her in supernatural wisdom, knowledge, favour, understanding and strength IJMN Amen
Father we cry out to You for provision. Your children are in need, be it of healing, finances, children, homes, peace, rest. Lord, please meet Your people at their point of need and refresh them. Lord, You are the God of multiplication. Just as the Shunamite woman was able to pour oil from one container into several vessels that she then could use to pay off her debt, free her sons and live on the rest comfortably - we call for this miracle of multiplication in the lives of Your children.
God, You showed Yourself as Jehovah Jireh. It is well established that You and You alone are provider. As such we come for You on behalf of those who need Your provision and trust You to be that which they need.
You are the God of the double portion. Isaiah 61:7 - Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
From JIR - Abba Father I pray for couples that are waiting on you for the fruit of the womb. I pray that you will turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I oray that you will bless them with beautiful healthy babies that they will nurture and nourish in your ways IJMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for all believers, Lord. I pray that they read the Bible with full understanding and clarity without a veil over their eyes. I pray that You moves their hearts to understand and apply what they learn to their lives. I pray that they grow in their faith and understanding. I pray that You open their hearts to receive the truth and they turn away from their old ungodly ways and shift their focus to You and You alone. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for everyone of us that you help us to trust you even when we don't understand our circumstances. Help us to fix our eyes on you and not idolize our situations. Father Lord we submit ourselves, our needs, wants and every situation bothering us at your feet, I pray Father that you help us accirding to your will for our lives IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for firefighters working hard to put off these wildfires that they will not lose their lives in the line of duty. I pray that your Heavenly armies surround them as they work towards averting the fires. I pray that you reward them beyond measure and continue to keep them safe IJMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for the homeless and the poor. I pray that You bless them with libations, shelter, and the strength, love, comfort and peace. Please bless them to seek You, call on You, pray to You, speak with You, and build a relationship with You, Lord. I pray that their faith, hope, belief, love and trust in You strengthens. Please watch over them Lord and protect them from the cold, snow and elements and shield them with Your protection and with shelter. Please bless them to know that You care for them, You love them and that You are watching over them. Please bless them with the hope to keep on going. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for LA citizens that have to start over again. I pray that you will give them the strength, guidance and restoration they need to rebuild and restore. I pray that you surround them with individuals and organizations that will bless with every essential item they need to thrive moving forward. IJMN Amen
From M22 - Thank you Father for this wonderful community of Christ. Thank you for transforming, pruning, strengthening and restoring us for your purpose and glory. Thank you for strengthening our hearts, minds, bodies, spirit and souls. I pray as we have come together to intercede for others, that you will answer all of our petitions today. IJMN Amen
Lord, You are our God. In good times and in bad, we look always to You. Thank You for being the One who is more than able to answer each petition. Thank You, great God!
Father, I lift up California and the fires that have displaced and killed people. Lord, the news reports have been disheartening, but I thank You for the many lives You kindly spared and will spare.
Dear God, I pray for Your mercy upon that region and others across the world experiencing natural disasters. Glorious God, You are He who has covenanted to show mercy and compassion to those whom You will grant mercy and compassion to.
I pray, IJN, that those living in the affected areas will experience Your grace and great help as they navigate the challenges resulting from these tragedies. Please, God, I pray for respite for the affected and that You will remember Your word to bless the righteous. So much that even the unrighteous will experience blessing through Your own (Proverbs 11:11). Thank You for this opportunity to place this petition at Your feet. Thank You, for I know You have heard it. Thank You as well because I know You have answered it to Your glory, Amen.
Heavenly Father, I lift up everyone in this fellowship seeking a change in employment.
Father, You are the God who we call on to bless the works of our hands. Psalm 90:17 - May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.
Although satan claims it has authority, we know from reading Matthew 28:18 that all authority is in the hands of our Savior Jesus Christ. We also know that You have complete power over all that is in the Earth (Psalm 24:1).
As such, dear Lord, I call on You to show favor to Your children in their endeavors and to bless the works of their hands as they seek employment. Guide them toward the place You want them to be in and may they submit to and receive Your directions, to Your glory, and by Your grace, IJMN, Amen.
PRAYER TIME
It is time to transition from praise to prayer.
Let us raise the issues of others before the Lord and cry out to Him on their behalf.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
We need to pray for the needs of others, putting ours to the side. We can't be selfish because God isn't and we must emulate Him. Pray big for the people in your life. Pray big for your community. Pray big for leaders. Pray big for your nation.
Mighty God, I just want to tell You thank You for being the only God who cares about my desires and needs. You care because You love me and want me to know how loved I am. Thank You for answering prayers before they were uttered. Thank You for showing great grace and kindness even when it is undeserved and unexpected.
To You be all the glory, IJN, Amen.