Spiritual Adultery

Posted by Anthony Crumley

When thinking about committing spiritual adultery against God, we may think in terms of worshiping other gods and consider ourselves faithful.  Yet, James has a much broader view of spiritual adultery.

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  (James 4:4)

We are spiritual adulterers if we are friends with the sinful world system that Satan has created to draw people away from God.  Just as we can’t have a faithful relationship with our spouse and have a lover on the side, we can’t have a faithful relationship God and love Satan’s world system.  John made it abundantly clear that we can’t love God and the world too.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions–is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.  (1 John 2:15-17)

God is a jealous God and will not tolerate spiritual adultery.

Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? (James 4:5)

Obviously, it is difficult to live in this world without cheating on God.  Fortunately, He has provided the resources we need to be faithful to Him because  “he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'” (James 4:6)  Living faithful to our God in this world requires a humble dependence on His grace.  When we are proud and think we know what is good for us is when we fall into an adulterous relationship with the world.

Spiritual faithfulness comes when we “submit [ourselves] therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from [us]. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to [us].”  (James 4:7, 8a)  Unfortunately our attitude tends toward rebellion against God.  Too often we resist God and draw near to the devil.  As a result, God withdraws from us and begins to chasten us until we humble ourselves in repentance, drawing near to him again.  Then He blesses us and lifts us up from the depths of our sin.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:8b-10)

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