Why Is Infidelity A Permitted Ground For Divorce In The Bible And Why Is Sexual Immorality Is Considered A Great Sin.

Sexual immorality is considered a grave sin in the Bible because it violates the principles of holiness, purity, and the sanctity of marriage. It has profound implications for one’s relationship with God, oneself, and others, which is why it is addressed with significant seriousness in the biblical texts.

It is said to be a sin against oneself because:

1. It Violates God’s Design for Holiness

God created human beings in His image and established guidelines for holy living, which include sexual purity. Sexual immorality violates these holy standards and disrupts the intended order for human relationships.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NIV): “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”

2. It Desecrates the Body

The body is viewed as a temple of the Holy Spirit, a dwelling place for God’s presence among believers. Engaging in sexual immorality defiles this sacred temple.

• 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NIV): “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

3. Brings About Spiritual and Emotional Consequences

Sexual immorality can have lasting spiritual and emotional consequences, affecting one’s relationship with God and others. It can lead to guilt, shame, and a sense of spiritual emptiness.

• Proverbs 6:32-33 (NIV): “But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.”

4. It Destroys Intimacy and Trust

Within marriage, sexual immorality will destroy the intimacy and trust between spouses and can  lead to broken marriages and emotional pain.

• Hebrews 13:4 (NIV): “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

5. It Impacts Personal Identity

Engaging in sexual immorality can distort one’s sense of identity and purpose, leading to confusion and self-destructive behavior.

• 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV): “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”

6. Fulfillment of Carnal Desires Over Spiritual Growth

Sexual immorality prioritizes fleeting physical pleasure over spiritual growth and fulfillment in God’s purposes for one’s life.

• Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV): “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Now that we understand why sexual immorality is considered a great especially against oneself, let’s look at how it affects the cheated on spouse especially emotionally and spiritually.

Infidelity profoundly impacts the cheated spouse’s spiritual life, affecting their sense of purity, emotional and spiritual well-being, and their relationship with God.

Sex is spiritual, how you ask?

Well,

• Sex is not merely a physical act but also holds significant spiritual dimensions. Sex is a sacred union between a husband and wife, mirroring the oneness and intimacy shared between Christ and the Church (believers).
• Genesis 2:24 (NIV): “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

This oneness is not just physical but also spiritual and emotional, reflecting the deep connection and intimacy that God intended for marriage.

2. Sexual relations within marriage are viewed as a physical expression of love, intimacy, and mutual respect between spouses.

• Song of Solomon 4:9-10 (NIV): “You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!”

The Song of Solomon celebrates the beauty and passion of marital love, illustrating the spiritual depth and emotional connection that sex can foster within the covenant of marriage.

3. Sexual intimacy reflects God’s design for creation, where man and woman are created as complementary beings who come together in a profound union.

• Mark 10:6-8 (NIV): “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.”

This biblical passage underscores the spiritual and ontological significance of sexual union as ordained by God.

4. Sexual intimacy creates a unique spiritual bond and unity between spouses, fostering emotional and spiritual closeness.

• 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 (NIV): “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

5. Sexual intimacy within marriage also serves a godly purpose in procreation, participating with God in the creation of new life.

• Genesis 1:28 (NIV): “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.'”

This divine command highlights the spiritual responsibility and blessing of sexual union in bearing children and nurturing families.

6. Sexual relations are meant to be characterized by mutual care, respect, and selflessness within the covenant of marriage.

• Ephesians 5:25 (NIV): “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

This biblical instruction emphasizes the spiritual calling for husbands and wives to love and honor each other, including in their sexual relationship.

How does infidelity affect the cheated spouse spiritually?

Infidelity and Its Spiritual Consequences

Infidelity introduces significant spiritual and emotional challenges due to the formation of ungodly soul ties and the transfer of spirits.

1. Soul Ties.

Soul ties are the deep emotional and spiritual bonds formed through relationships, particularly through sexual intimacy. These ties can be healthy or unhealthy depending on the nature of the relationship; we have established that sex is not just a physical act but also a spiritual exchange

This idea is based on the biblical view that sex creates a deep, connection between two people.

1 Corinthians 6:16-17 (NIV): “Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, ‘The two will become one flesh.’ But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.”

This verse suggests that sexual relations create a union that goes beyond the physical, implying a spiritual exchange.

Healthy Soul Ties:

Within the context of marriage, soul ties can strengthen the marital bond, fostering unity and intimacy.

Genesis 2:24 (NIV): “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

Unhealthy Soul Ties:

Unhealthy or ungodly soul ties can form through sexual immorality, including infidelity. These can lead to emotional turmoil, spiritual confusion, and bondage.

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV): “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”

2. Breaking Trust and Unity:

Infidelity breaks the exclusive bond of marriage, damaging the spiritual unity that was intended to reflect Christ’s relationship with the Church.

The betrayal can lead to feelings of rejection, worthlessness, and spiritual desolation for the betrayed spouse.

3. Spiritual Defilement:

Engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage can introduce negative spiritual influences, leading to spiritual defilement and oppression. This can manifest as emotional instability, spiritual confusion, and a sense of distance from God.

4. Bondage to Sin:

Unrepentant infidelity can lead to ongoing spiritual bondage, where the individual may struggle with guilt, shame, and repeated sinful behaviors.

John 8:34 (NIV): “Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”