Do not commit adultery. November 2, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Greatest Commandment—Love God and Love Neighbor

Jesus teaches that the most important commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This teaching reframes all the commandments, showing that true faithfulness is rooted in wholehearted love for God and genuine care for others. When we live out this love, we draw near to the kingdom of God and fulfill the heart of God’s law. Consider how this dual love shapes your daily actions, relationships, and priorities, inviting you to see every commandment through the lens of love. [08:13]

Mark 12:28-34 (ESV)
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Reflection: Who is one neighbor—whether friend, family, or stranger—you can intentionally show love to today in a way that reflects God’s love for you?

Day 2: Faithfulness in Marriage—Beyond the Physical Act

The commandment “Do not commit adultery” calls for more than just avoiding a physical act; it is a call to daily, sustained faithfulness in marriage, honoring promises with your whole heart. Jesus expands this commandment to include the intentions and desires of the heart, teaching that true faithfulness involves emotional support, kindness, and a commitment to love over months, years, and decades. This faithfulness is not just about avoiding wrongdoing but about actively nurturing and protecting the sacred bond of marriage. [32:20]

Matthew 5:27-30 (ESV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally nurture faithfulness and love in your marriage or closest relationship today?

Day 3: Mercy and Forgiveness—Jesus’ Response to Adultery

When confronted with a woman caught in adultery, Jesus refuses to condemn her, instead offering mercy and a call to transformation: “Go and sin no more.” He exposes the hypocrisy of those quick to judge, reminding us that all are in need of grace. Jesus’ response shows that while sin is real and serious, God’s mercy is greater, and forgiveness is always available for those who turn to Him. This challenges us to examine our own hearts, to let go of judgment, and to embrace the mercy that God extends to us and to others. [28:57]

John 8:3-11 (ESV)
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to receive God’s mercy or extend forgiveness to someone else today?

Day 4: The Ten Commandments—Words of Life and Freedom

The Ten Commandments are not just rules but words of life, given by God to shape a community of integrity, faith, and trust. They were delivered to a people freed from slavery, meant to guide them into a life of freedom, wholeness, and right relationship with God and others. These commandments invite us to remember our identity as God’s people and to live in a way that reflects God’s character—honoring God, honoring others, and keeping our promises. [15:50]

Exodus 20:1-17 (ESV)
And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Reflection: Which commandment do you most need to remember and live out today as a way of honoring God’s gift of freedom?

Day 5: Integrity and Wholeness—Living as God’s People

God calls us to a life of integrity, faithfulness, and trust, not to burden us but because this is the best way to live. Living with integrity means aligning our actions, words, and hearts with God’s love, keeping our promises, and seeking wholeness in our relationships. Even when we fall short, God cherishes us, never leaves us, and calls us each day to renewed faithfulness. As we offer ourselves to God, we become living images of God’s grace, showing the world what it means to be God’s people. [37:10]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can choose integrity and faithfulness today, even if it is difficult?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus was on the seventh commandment: “Do not commit adultery,” exploring its meaning, implications, and the heart behind God’s call to faithfulness. The journey began with a retelling of Jesus’ encounter with the religious leaders who tried to trap him by asking which commandment was greatest. Jesus responded by centering all the commandments on love—love for God and love for neighbor. This sets the stage for understanding the commandments not as a list of prohibitions, but as invitations into a life of integrity, trust, and deep relationship.

The context of the Ten Commandments was revisited, remembering how God delivered the Israelites from slavery and gave them these “words of life” at Sinai. The seventh commandment, while seemingly straightforward, opens up a much broader conversation about faithfulness, promise-keeping, and the health of our relationships. In ancient times, adultery was understood in terms of property and power, often with harsh consequences. Yet, Jesus reframed the conversation, moving from the external act to the internal reality of the heart. He challenged not just the act of adultery, but the attitudes and desires that lead to unfaithfulness, calling everyone—not just married women, as the ancient law did—to examine their hearts.

Modern realities were addressed, acknowledging that while rates of physical adultery have declined, emotional affairs and pornography remain significant challenges. The call to faithfulness is not just about avoiding certain behaviors, but about cultivating daily, sustained love and commitment. For those who are married, this means being present, supportive, and attentive to one’s spouse—not just in grand gestures, but in the ordinary, everyday acts of kindness, listening, and partnership.

Importantly, the message was not one of condemnation. Jesus’ encounter with the woman caught in adultery reveals God’s heart: a readiness to forgive, a refusal to condemn, and a call to new life. For those who have struggled or failed, there is mercy and a fresh invitation to begin again. Faithfulness in marriage, and in all relationships, is about reflecting God’s own steadfast love—a love that keeps promises, offers forgiveness, and leads to fullness of life.

Key Takeaways

1. The heart of God’s commandments is love—love for God and love for neighbor. Every commandment, including “do not commit adultery,” is rooted in this call to love, inviting us to live with integrity and compassion in all our relationships. When we focus on love, the commandments become pathways to deeper connection with God and others. [08:13]
2. Jesus reframes the commandment against adultery, moving beyond the external act to the internal reality of the heart. He teaches that unfaithfulness begins with our thoughts and desires, challenging us to examine not just our actions, but the attitudes that shape them. This calls for a daily, intentional commitment to faithfulness in both body and spirit. [31:22]
3. Faithfulness in marriage is not simply the absence of adultery, but the presence of sustained, everyday love. It is expressed in listening, kindness, partnership, and emotional support. True faithfulness is built over months and years, through small acts of care and the daily decision to honor one’s promises. [32:20]
4. The call to faithfulness does not mean tolerating abuse, chronic unfaithfulness, or harm. God’s desire is for relationships marked by mutual respect, safety, and love. Sometimes, faithfulness to God and to oneself may mean seeking help, setting boundaries, or even ending a relationship that is destructive. [30:46]
5. For those who have failed or struggled, God’s response is not condemnation, but mercy and a call to new life. Jesus’ words to the woman caught in adultery—“Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more”—remind us that forgiveness is always available, and that we are invited to begin again, living into God’s vision of faithful love. [35:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - Opening Worship: Mighty to Save
[05:13] - Children’s Story: Building the Temple
[06:57] - Jesus and the Greatest Commandment
[14:41] - Memorizing the Ten Commandments
[15:16] - The Exodus and Mount Sinai
[18:59] - Reciting the Commandments Together
[19:57] - Understanding Adultery: Ancient and Modern
[22:46] - Expanding the Definition: Emotional Affairs and Pornography
[25:41] - Adultery in the Old Testament: David and Bathsheba
[27:35] - Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery
[30:25] - Faithfulness, Divorce, and the Heart of the Commandment
[32:20] - Practical Faithfulness in Marriage
[34:59] - A Call to Recovery and Forgiveness
[36:41] - Prayer for Integrity and Faithfulness
[41:32] - Prayers for the Community
[44:00] - Communion and Thanksgiving
[53:13] - Blessings for Birthdays and Anniversaries
[56:03] - Announcements and Fellowship
[59:10] - Closing Song and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV) — > “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

2. Exodus 20:14 (ESV) — > “You shall not commit adultery.”

3. John 8:3-11 (ESV) — > The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” ... Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in Matthew 22, what is the foundation for all the commandments? [08:13]
How did the ancient world understand adultery, and what were some of the consequences? [25:41]
In John 8, how did Jesus respond to the woman caught in adultery, and what did he say to her at the end? [28:57]
What are some modern forms of unfaithfulness mentioned in the sermon besides physical adultery? [23:08]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that Jesus reframed the commandment against adultery to focus on the heart, not just the act. What does it mean for unfaithfulness to begin with our thoughts and desires? [31:22]
Why do you think Jesus refused to condemn the woman caught in adultery, even though he acknowledged her sin? What does this reveal about God’s character? [29:48]
The message emphasized that faithfulness in marriage is more than just avoiding adultery. What does “sustained, everyday love” look like in practice? [32:20]
The sermon made it clear that faithfulness does not mean tolerating abuse or chronic unfaithfulness. How does this shape our understanding of what God wants for our relationships? [30:46]

Application Questions

The heart of God’s commandments is love. In your daily life, what is one specific way you can show love for God and for your neighbor this week? [08:13]
Jesus challenges us to examine not just our actions, but our attitudes and desires. Is there an area in your life where you need to be more intentional about guarding your heart or thoughts? What practical step could you take? [31:22]
For those who are married or in committed relationships: What is one small, everyday act of kindness or support you could do for your spouse or partner this week to build trust and connection? [32:20]
The sermon mentioned emotional affairs and pornography as forms of unfaithfulness. Are there boundaries or habits you need to set (or reset) to protect your relationships and honor God? [23:08]
If you have experienced failure or brokenness in this area, how does Jesus’ response to the woman caught in adultery encourage you? What would it look like to accept God’s forgiveness and begin again? [35:54]
The message said that faithfulness does not mean tolerating abuse or chronic harm. If you or someone you know is in a harmful relationship, what steps could be taken to seek help or set healthy boundaries? [30:46]
Think about a relationship in your life (marriage, friendship, family) where trust or faithfulness has been tested. What is one thing you can do this week to move toward healing, forgiveness, or deeper integrity? [36:13]

Sermon Clips

Jesus starts drawing on the ground with his finger like all skillful negotiators. Jesus knows how to take control of the pace and slow it down. We in the crowd might be thinking she was caught in the act of adultery and we're supposed to stone her and the guy. Where's the guy? The Pharisees continued to question. So he stood up and replied. Whoever hasn't sinned throw the first stone and then he went back down and wrote on the ground and they went away one by one. And finally. Only Jesus and the woman were left. Jesus stood up and said to her woman. Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you? And she said no one sir. Jesus said neither do I condemn you go and from now on sin no more. [00:28:09] (61 seconds) #JesusAndHypocrisy

Do not commit adultery. The positive way to say this is be faithful in marriage. And I want to pause right here. And talk about divorce. Because. Divorce was a thing in Jesus' time and divorce is a thing for us today. And some have heard that faithfulness in marriage means that divorce is never tolerated. That the message is stay married no matter what. And I want to say to you being faithful in marriage does not mean stay married no matter what. It does not mean tolerating infidelity. Or tolerating abuse. Or tolerating chronic unfaithfulness of the heart. And our Methodist book of discipline upholds this. [00:30:13] (55 seconds) #HeartOfAdultery

Jesus took these commandments handed down by tradition. And he would break them open. He would go from the physical act to the heart. Which we heard in Matthew. Matthew 5. As Mo read it to us this morning. About Jesus said you've heard it said don't commit adultery. But I say that every man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her. Did you hear how he flipped it? They understood only married women could commit adultery. And Jesus is saying everyone needs to be paying attention. [00:31:12] (31 seconds) #DailyMarriageCommitment

So being faithful in marriage requires our whole heart. And I have some practical suggestions. And I'm talking to you who are Jesus followers. If you're not a Jesus follower you can take this as advice. But for the Jesus followers being faithful in marriage may be optional for others but it's not for you. Staying away from adultery and emotional affairs and pornography may be optional for others but it is not for you. [00:33:36] (27 seconds) #StopTheAffairNow

So those statistics I went through. Mean that statistically there are people here or people listening who are actively engaged in an affair. Or are contemplating it. And I'm going to urge you to stop. Statistically there are us here or listening who are actively engaged in pornography. And I'm going to urge you to stop. And there would be some who have found themselves in addiction. And if that's where you are. I urge you to make today the first day of your recovery. Going to a sex addicts meeting or getting treatment. Let today be the first day that you actively engage in recovery. [00:34:45] (58 seconds) #LoveLikeGod

``Statistically there's even a larger number of us who have been involved in affairs. Our marriage has been involved. Maybe your spouse knows and you've worked through it. Maybe they don't. And here is what I want you to hear. Jesus did not condemn a woman caught in adultery. Jesus does not condemn you. Jesus was so ready to forgive. And Jesus is so ready to forgive you. Not to say it didn't matter. But to offer mercy and forgiveness. [00:35:44] (36 seconds) #OfferYourselfToGod

What God longs for us to understand is when we say don't commit adultery or be faithful in marriage. That we are called to love each other like God loves us. And to keep our promises. And when we do that we lead full free lives. [00:36:21] (20 seconds) #NailingTheGreatestCommandment

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