Adultery
by Ellen White
You have a wife, and you are bound to her by the law of God. "You have heard that
it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That
whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in
his heart. . . . It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a
writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving
for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry
her that is divorced committeth adultery" (Matthew 5: 27,28,31, 32). 10MR 187
Priests and popes have made laws forbidding priests to marry, and secluding them in
monasteries. These laws and restrictions were devised by Satan to place men and women in
unnatural positions. Thus Satan has tempted human beings to disregard the law of marriage
as a thing unholy, but at the same time he has opened a door for the indulgence of human
passion. Thus have come into existence the greatest evils that curse our world--adultery,
fornication, the murder of innocent children born out of wedlock. 10MR 198
I was then shown he had encouraged the affections of his present wife. He is
undeserving of her love, undeserving of her pure affections. And yet he is not content. He
has taken every means to captivate other hearts and cause contention and strife between
those whose hearts and faith were given to each other. By the most solemn vows were they
made one, yet the sacred bonds that uphold and shield the marriage covenant he would
readily break down to gratify the lustful feelings of his carnal heart. 19MR 223
While Jesus is teaching, there are pleasure-boats upon the water, and it is evident to
all that the idlers who occupy them are disreputable characters. The listening people
expect Jesus to severely denounce this class, but are surprised when he declares: "Ye
have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say
unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with
her already in his heart." Those who have looked upon the guilty characters who lead
lives of sensual dissipation as sinners above all others, are astonished to hear Jesus
assert that those who cherish lascivious thoughts are as guilty at heart as the shameless
violators of the seventh commandment. Jesus condemned the custom then existing of a man
putting away his wife for trivial offences. This practice led to great wretchedness and
crime. Jesus strikes at the primary cause of the laxness with which the marriage relation
was held, when he condemns the unholy passions which find the marriage institution a
barrier to the gratification of their lust. Christ would have the marriage relation hedged
about with judicial restrictions, so that there could be no legal separation between
husband and wife, save for the cause of adultery. 2SP 221
I come again to Christians. If all who profess to obey the law of God were free from
iniquity, my soul would be relieved; but they are not. Even some who profess to keep all
the commandments of God are guilty of the sin of adultery. What can I say to arouse their
benumbed sensibilities? Moral principle, strictly carried out, becomes the only safeguard
of the soul. If ever there was a time when the diet should be of the most simple kind, it
is now. Meat should not be placed before our children. Its influence is to excite and
strengthen the lower passions, and has a tendency to deaden the moral powers. Grains and
fruits prepared free from grease, and in as natural a condition as possible, should be the
food for the tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation to heaven. The less
feverish the diet, the more easily can the passions be controlled. Gratification of taste
should not be consulted irrespective of physical, intellectual, or moral health. 2T 352
From the light that God has given me, fornication and adultery are estimated by a large
number of the first-day Adventists as sins which God winks at. These sins are practised to
a great extent. They do not acknowledge the claims of God's law upon them. They have
broken the commandments of the great Jehovah and zealously teach their hearers to do the
same, declaring that the law of God is abolished and has no claims upon them. In
accordance with this free state of things, sin does not appear so exceedingly sinful;
"for by the law is the knowledge of sin." We may expect to find in this company
men who will deceive, and lie, and give loose rein to lustful passions. But men and women
who acknowledge the Ten Commandments binding, who observe the fourth commandment of the
Decalogue, should carry out in their lives the principles of all ten of the precepts given
in awful grandeur from Sinai. 2T 449
Not all who profess to keep the commandments of God possess their bodies in
sanctification and honour. The most solemn message ever committed to mortals has been
entrusted to this people, and they can have a powerful influence if they will be
sanctified by it. They profess to be standing upon the elevated platform of eternal truth,
keeping all of God's commandments; therefore, if they indulge in sin, if they commit
fornication and adultery, their crime is of tenfold greater magnitude than is that of the
classes I have named, who do not acknowledge the law of God as binding upon them. In a
peculiar sense do those who profess to keep God's law dishonour Him and reproach the truth
by transgressing its precepts. 2T 450
If the sisters were elevated and possessed purity of heart, any corrupt advances, even
from their minister, would be repulsed with such positiveness as would never need a
repetition. Minds must be terribly befogged by Satan when they can listen to the voice of
the seducer because he is a minister, and therefore break God's plain and positive
commands and flatter themselves that they commit no sin. Have we not the words of John:
"He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is not in him"? What saith the law? "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
When a man professing to keep God's holy law, and ministering in sacred things, takes
advantage of the confidence his position gives him and seeks to indulge his base passions,
this fact should of itself be sufficient to enable a woman professing godliness to see
that, although his profession is as exalted as the heavens, an impure proposal coming from
him is from Satan disguised as an angel of light. I cannot believe that the word of God is
abiding in the hearts of those who so readily yield up their innocency and virtue upon the
altar of lustful passions. 2T 457
While in Europe the things that transpired in ----- were opened before me. A voice
said, "Follow me, and I will show you the sins that are practised by those who stand
in responsible positions." I went through the rooms, and I saw you, a watchman upon
the walls of Zion, were very intimate with another man's wife, betraying sacred trusts,
crucifying your Lord afresh. Did you consider that there was a Watcher, the Holy One, who
was witnessing your evil work, seeing your actions and hearing your words, and these are
also registered in the books of heaven?
She was sitting on your lap; you were kissing her, and she was kissing you. Other
scenes of fondness, sensual looks and deportment, were presented before me, which sent a
thrill of horror through my soul. Your arm encircled her waist, and the fondness expressed
was having a bewitching influence. Then a curtain was lifted, and I was shown you in bed
with -----. My Guide said, "Iniquity, adultery."--Letter 16, 1888. 3SM 44
While in Europe the things that transpired in ----- were opened before me. A voice
said, "Follow me, and I will show you the sins that are practised by those who stand
in responsible positions." I went through the rooms, and I saw you, a watchman upon
the walls of Zion, were very intimate with another man's wife, betraying sacred trusts,
crucifying your Lord afresh. Did you consider that there was a Watcher, the Holy One, who
was witnessing your evil work, seeing your actions and hearing your words, and these are
also registered in the books of heaven?
She was sitting on your lap; you were kissing her, and she was kissing you. Other
scenes of fondness, sensual looks and deportment, were presented before me, which sent a
thrill of horror through my soul. Your arm encircled her waist, and the fondness expressed
was having a bewitching influence. Then a curtain was lifted, and I was shown you in bed
with ___. My Guide said, "Iniquity, adultery." -- Letter 16, 1888. 3SM 44
I felt led out to rebuke this man in the name of the Lord and to call upon the women
who were with him to separate from him and withdraw their misplaced confidence, for
unhappiness and ruin were in the path they had entered upon. The Ledger of Heaven
testifies of this man thus: "A deceiver, an adulterer, creeping into houses and
leading captive silly women." How many souls he will destroy with his satanic
sophistry the judgement alone will reveal. Such men ought to be rebuked and
discountenanced at once, that they may not bring a continual reproach upon the cause. 5T
138
I saw that Sister _____, as yet, has no right to marry another man, but if she, or any
other woman, should obtain a divorce legally on the ground that her husband was guilty of
adultery, then she is free to be married to whom she chooses. [ Ms 2, 1863 ], p. 4.
("Testimony to Monterey Church," June 6, 1863.) AH 344
The youth, for misdemeanours of a comparatively light character, are treated with much
severity; but when men and women of large experience, who have been considered patterns of
piety, are revealed in their true character,--unsanctified, unholy, impure in thought,
debased in conduct,--then it is time for such to be dealt with in a decided manner. The
greater forbearance that is exercised toward them has only had, as far as my knowledge
extends, the influence to cause them to regard their fornication and adultery as a very
light matter, and all their pretence has proved to be like morning dew when the sun shines
upon it. MR449 1
Satan's special efforts are now directed toward the people who have great light. He
would lead them to become earthly and sensual. There are men who minister in sacred things
whose hearts are defiled with impure thoughts and unholy desires. Married men who have
children are not satisfied. They place themselves where they invite temptations. They take
liberties which should only be taken with their lawful wives. Thus they fall under the
rebuke of God, and in the books of heaven adultery is written opposite their names. MR449
21
Satan is making determined efforts to overcome those who advocate the commandments of
God, that their principles shall become tarnished, and their lives corrupt. It is a
pitiful sight to see young men who are bound by no marriage ties, pursuing a foolish
course, exhibiting the disease of love-sick sentimentalism. They are unbalanced in mind,
and have lost that sense of propriety of conduct so essential for a noble virtuous
character. But that which is the most to be deplored is to see married men who have
companions and children, fanning around the girls, and the girls making advances to them
or encouraging their attentions. These attentions becloud the mind, benumb the senses, as
to the line that distinguishes right from wrong. Impure thoughts, indiscreet actions,
unholy conduct, and next the seventh commandment transgressed! Indolence and gratification
of unholy passions enslave the soul, and hold the victim in chains of steel. There are
agonising struggles after his lost moral freedom, but he seldom is again a free man; he
has stepped on Satan's ground, and becomes the object of Satan's temptations. The standard
must be the holy law of God, and every approach toward familiarity or attention of married
men with young girls or with married women should be positively condemned. The plea of
these liberty-loving young men and married men is for a little amusement, a hungering of
sympathy, a little self-indulgence. They do not think of such a thing as weakening moral
character or their power to resist temptation, nor of becoming vicious or impure; but they
are tempting the devil to tempt them. The only safe course is to keep free from all these
things. Do not see how close you can walk upon the brink of a precipice, and be safe.
Avoid the first approach to danger. The soul's interest cannot be trifled with. Your
capital is your character. Cherish it as you would a golden treasure. Moral purity,
self-respect, a strong power of resistance, must be firmly and constantly cherished. There
should not be one departure from reserve; one act of familiarity, one indiscretion, may
jeopardise the soul, in opening the door to temptation, and the power of resistance
becomes weakened. PH167 35
Amid the perils of his earlier life David in conscious integrity could trust his case
with God. The Lord's hand had guided him safely past the unnumbered snares that had been
laid for his feet. But now, guilty and unrepentant, he did not ask help and guidance from
Heaven, but sought to extricate himself from the dangers in which sin had involved him.
Bathsheba, whose fatal beauty had proved a snare to the king, was the wife of Uriah the
Hittite, one of David's bravest and most faithful officers. None could foresee what would
be the result should the crime become known. The law of God pronounced the adulterer
guilty of death, and the proud-spirited soldier, so shamefully wronged, might avenge
himself by taking the life of the king or by exciting the nation to revolt. PP 718
The shameful crime of Amnon, the first-born, was permitted by David to pass unpunished
and unrebuked. The law pronounced death upon the adulterer, and the unnatural crime of
Amnon made him doubly guilty. But David, self-condemned for his own sin, failed to bring
the offender to justice. For two full years Absalom, the natural protector of the sister
so foully wronged, concealed his purpose of revenge, but only to strike more surely at the
last. At a feast of the king's sons the drunken, incestuous Amnon was slain by his
brother's command. PP 727
That law takes cognisance of the thoughts of the heart, as well as of the actions of
the life. A man may be a lawbreaker in heart, yet if the outward action is wanting, he is
treated as loyal by the world. He may in heart be an adulterer, yet by his fellow men he
may be regarded as possessing great integrity. But God's law looks into the secrets of the
heart, and pours a flood of light on things that have been buried in darkness. Why, then,
do not the teachers of the people search for truth as for hidden treasure? Why do they not
humble their souls in the dust, lest they be deceived, as were Adam and Eve in Eden? RH
AUG.09,1898
But if the transgressors of the seventh commandment were to be found only among those
who do not profess to be Christ's followers, the evil would not be a tenth part as great
as it now is. But the crime of adultery is largely committed by professed Christians. Both
clergymen and laymen, whose names stand fair upon the church record, are alike guilty.
Many who profess to be the ministers of Christ are like the sons of Eli who ministered in
the sacred office, and took advantage of their office to engage in crime and commit
adultery, causing the people to transgress the law of God. A fearful account will such
have to render when the cases of all shall pass in review before God, and they be judged
according to the deeds done in the body. RH MAR.08,1870
The Lord made man upright; but he has fallen, and become degraded, because he refuses
to yield obedience to the sacred claims which the law of God has upon him. All the
passions of man, if properly controlled and rightly directed, will contribute to his
physical and moral health, and insure to him a great amount of happiness. The adulterer,
the fornicator, and the incontinent, do not enjoy life. There can be no true enjoyment for
the transgressor of God's law. The Lord knew this, therefore he restricts man. He directs,
commands, and he positively forbids. RH MAR.08,1870
The Lord well knew that the happiness of his children depends upon their submission to
his authority, and living in obedience to this holy, just and good rule of government. Man
may pass on awhile, and conceal the fact that he is an adulterer; yet God has his eye upon
him. He marks the man. He cannot conceal his crimes from God. He may apparently conduct
himself properly before his family, and before the community, and be esteemed as a good
man. But does he deceive himself in thinking there is not knowledge with the Most High? He
is exposing his corruption to the view of the Majesty of Heaven. He who is high and lifted
up, and the train of whose glory fills the temple, sees and knows, even the thoughts, and
the intents and purposes of the heart of the transgressor who is debasing himself in the
sight of the pure, sinless angels, who are recording all the acts of the children of men.
And not only is his seen, but it is marked by the recording angel. RH MAR.08,1870
In regard to the case of the injured sister, A.G., we would say in reply to the
questions of_____that it is a feature in the cases of most who have been overtaken in sin,
as her husband has, that they have no real sense of their villainy. Some, however, do and
are restored to the church, but not till they have merited the confidence of the people of
God by unqualified confessions and a period of sincere repentance. This case presents
difficulties not found in some, and we would add only the following:
1. In cases of the violation of the seventh commandment where the guilty party does not
manifest true repentance, if the injured party can obtain a divorce without making their
own cases and that of their children, if they have them, worse by so doing, they should be
free.
2. If they would be liable to place themselves and their children in worse condition by
a divorce, we know of no scripture that would make the innocent party guilty by remaining.
3. Time and labour and prayer and patience and faith and a godly life might work a
reform. To live with one who has broken the marriage vows and is covered all over with the
disgrace and shame of guilty love, and realises it not, is an eating canker to the soul;
and yet a divorce is a lifelong, heartfelt sore. God pity the innocent party! Marriage
should be considered well before contracted.
4. Why! oh, why! will men and women who might be respectable and good and reach heaven
at last sell themselves to the devil so cheap, wound their bosom friends, disgrace their
families, bring a reproach upon the cause, and go to hell at last? God have mercy! Why
will not those who are overtaken in crime manifest repentance proportionate to the
enormity of their crime and fly to Christ for mercy and heal, as far as possible, the
wounds they have made? RH MAR.24,1868
Fornication and adultery are estimated by many professing Christians as sins which God
winketh at. These sins are practised to a great extent. They do not acknowledge the claims
of God's law upon them. They have broken the commandments of the great Jehovah, and are
zealously teaching their hearers to do the same, declaring that the law of God is
abolished, and consequently has no claims upon them. In accordance with this free state of
things, sin does not appear so exceedingly sinful; for by the law is the knowledge of sin,
We may expect to find men among those who thus teach, who will deceive, and lie, and give
loose rein to lustful passions. But men and women who acknowledge the ten commandments
binding, should carry out in their lives, the principles of all ten of the precepts given
in awful grandeur from Sinai. SA 141
My spirit is stirred within me. I cannot hold my peace. Recent developments have caused
me anguish of spirit and agony of soul; and then when I think of the misery of poor Sister
J, whose happiness you have ruined forever, then I inquire, What will be your reward for
these things? We are to be judged according to the deeds done in the body. We feel that it
would be just and right for you to be brought to receive the punishment you so justly
merit, but we remember the words of Scripture, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,
saith the Lord." That which you have sown you shall reap. Yes, you will reap a
bountiful cup. No frost shall blight it; no mildew blast it; no cankerworm devour it. You
have sown to the flesh; you shall reap corruption. A heavy retribution awaits you. TSB 130
What did God command Moses to do with those who were guilty of adultery? They should be
stoned to death. Does the punishment end there? No, they are to die the second death. The
stoning system has been done away, but the penalty for transgressing God's law is not done
away. If the transgressor does not heartily repent, he will be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord. TSB 131
I believe you have confessed your sin, and that God will pardon the sin as He has
promised. The only drawback in my mind is that the very same want of perception of what
constituted sin, in the prostituting of your body, giving it up to the use of an
adulterer, a whoremonger, and you connected with the work and cause of God giving Bible
readings, as though the Lord would serve with your sins while you were engaged in His work
and voluntarily seeking the embrace of an adulterer [is still a weakness with you]. TSB
164
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