God’s Image Study • Commandment 7: You Shall Not Commit Adultery
“You shall not commit adultery.”
— Exodus 20:14, LSB
We began with this commandment and followed its connections through Scripture. Alongside faithfulness within marriage, we examined passages that describe unfaithfulness toward God through adultery, prostitution, and divided allegiance.
To Whom Are We Joined?
Paul distinguishes being joined to a prostitute from being joined to the Lord. One relationship is described as one body; the other as one spirit. The passage requires us to consider what union involves. Read 1 Corinthians 6:15–20.
James makes the spiritual application of adultery explicit when he addresses friendship with the world as enmity toward God. His surrounding words examine desires, motives, and divided hearts. Read James 4:1–8.
Our examination therefore reaches what we desire, receive, support, and follow.
An Invitation Must Be Examined
Proverbs 9 places Wisdom’s invitation alongside Folly’s. An appealing offer can conceal an outcome the invited person does not recognize. Read Proverbs 9.
Paul likewise warns that devotion can be corrupted through another Jesus, a different spirit, or a different gospel. An appearance of righteousness does not settle the source of a message. Read 2 Corinthians 11:2–4, 13–15.
We must bring that examination to what we already trust, including our own explanations.
A Name, Provision, and Preparation
Isaiah 4:1’s request for a name led us to compare Revelation’s examination of reputation, clothing, and claimed sufficiency. Sardis has a name suggesting life while being described as dead. Laodicea does not recognize its need for what Christ provides. Read Isaiah 4:1 and Revelation 3:1–5, 17–19.
John 6 preserves the relationship within that provision: the Father gives the true bread, Jesus identifies himself as the bread of life, and the Spirit gives life. Read John 6:32–35, 44–45, 63.
Ephesians describes Christ giving himself for her, cleansing, nourishing, and cherishing her. Revelation describes the Bride making herself ready and receiving her clothing. Her preparation and relationship remain central. Read Ephesians 5:25–32 and Revelation 19:7–9.
Love Must Remain at the Center
Jesus connects the Law and the Prophets with loving God and loving our neighbor. Faithfulness to YHWH (יהוה) must therefore reach both our allegiance and our treatment of others. Read Matthew 22:37–40.
We cannot separate the love we profess from the conduct we practice. The examination begins within: Whose instruction am I keeping? What am I allowing to draw my heart away? Am I willing to receive correction?
Where This Leads Next
This completes our present examination of Commandment 7.
Before continuing to Commandment 8, we will begin a separate Babylon Study. We will follow the account of Babel in Genesis 11 alongside the later passages concerning Babylon, examining the descriptions and connections as they unfold.
Revelation’s call to come out of her makes understanding her influence important to our examination of faithfulness. Read Revelation 18:4–5.
Threads to Follow
Babylon Study: Begin with Genesis 11 and follow the scriptural connections.
Undivided allegiance: Keep desire, teaching, participation, and conduct together.
Commandment 8: Return afterward to examine stealing, including our existing study connection concerning taking Glory for oneself.
The books were opened…
🌿 By Maria Emilia
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