Infidelity is a touchy subject. It seems to be one of those things that people don’t want to talk about, especially when it’s discussed under the lens of the Christian faith.
As Christians, we condemn adulterous husbands and wives, heartless mistresses, and disgusting extramarital affairs. We all know that cheating is wrong, but what is God’s actual stance on the topic of infidelity? Surprisingly, the Bible has quite a bit to say on the matter.
First and foremost, God is clear that He hates adultery. In fact, He calls it an abomination. He also promises severe consequences for those who engage in this behavior. This makes perfect sense, since infidelity violates both God’s laws and the sacred, binding vow made between two spouses.
Adultery also causes a great deal of pain and heartache for everyone involved. Not only does it tear marriages and families apart, but it can also lead to depression, illnesses, and even death for those involved.
The bible teaches us that faithful relationships are important to God, and that infidelity is a betrayal of that commitment. Cheating in relationships is considered to be indecent, morally wrong. The following bible passages emphasize that point, stating it’s a serious sin that can lead to punishment in the afterlife:
Exodus 20:14 NIV
You shall not commit adultery.
Proverbs 6:32 NIV
But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.
Matthew 19:4-6 NIV
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘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. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
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.
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.
Matthew 5:28 NIV
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Proverbs 6:25 NIV
Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.
Proverbs 6:26 NIV
For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life.
Isaiah 29:15 NIV
Woe to those who go to great depths
to hide their plans from the Lord,
who do their work in darkness and think,
“Who sees us? Who will know?”
Isaiah 47:11 NIV
Disaster will come upon you,
and you will not know how to conjure it away.
A calamity will fall upon you
that you cannot ward off with a ransom;
a catastrophe you cannot foresee
will suddenly come upon you.