Different Life: 6th CommandmentНамуна

Here’s the sixth commandment: “You shall not commit adultery” (Exod 20:14; Deut 5:18). Adultery is having sex with someone who is married to someone else or with someone who is not your spouse. It’s a big deal to God. Why? Because sex is a big deal to God. Sex is important, and who you choose to sleep with is important. It matters to God. You can even say it’s sacred. There’s something so holy and meaningful about sex; God doesn’t want people to devalue it or misdirect its potency and power.

Sex is good. Too many people mistakenly think God is anti-sex, as though he’s out to ruin the fun and take the good from life. God invented sex. God wants you to enjoy sex. God wants you to have sex, provided it’s with your spouse.

The sixth commandment warns us of something that cheapens it (and ourselves). It’s easy to read it as a simple prohibition. But standing behind that prohibition is a compelling vision. If you pause to look, you’ll glimpse in this command something that’s special and binding between a man and woman who pledge themselves to each other. Something cherished that’s unique and special to them and them alone. Something personal. Something vulnerable. Something wonderful and thrilling. Something that expresses and generates love. Yes, God knew what he was doing.