Of course, a full answer to this would take a book or a bunch of books. Just examining the spiritual dimensions of the question, drawing upon the biblical texts, would be an overwhelming task. One would want to touch on the damage done by sexual sin (adultery, pornography, homosexuality, pre-marital sex, etc.) to the immediate parties involved, the devastation wrought upon the family and from there to society as a whole, the destruction of the conscious and soul of the participants, the bodily and physical harm, and much more.
Commenting on relevant Scripture could take a long time: The Mosaic Law recorded for instance in Leviticus 20:10 and Exodus 20:14; the self-destruction of sexual sin in Proverbs chapter 6; Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:27-28; the graphic warnings against sexual immorality such as 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; positively, the sanctity of marriage in Hebrews 13:4. The list is significant.
But, underlying all these reasons to acknowledge the heinousness of sexual sin, is the biblical conviction that human marital relationships are modeled on our connection to God Himself. Sexual sin is so egregious precisely because of what it says about our relationship with God and God’s relationship to us. Unfaithfulness and abuse in the one area implies unfaithfulness in the other.
A marriage is basically a covenant linking together two people in a bond which God Himself affirms. This covenant connection between a husband and a wife serves as the most fundamental metaphor and/or illustration for God’s love and commitment to us. As initially designed by our loving Creator, marriage is intended to be a living parable for the depth of commitment God has for us. Is marriage supposed to be joyful? Of course! As is our relationship with God. Is marriage full of challenges? Of course! As is our relationship with God? Do our spouses frustrate, disappoint, and sin against us? For sure. As we do against our Lord. And yet, the marriage bond holds! And yes, God’s faithfulness continues.
Sexual sin is viewed so horribly in the Bible primarily because of what it says about our relationship with God, and His with us. If our promises to one another mean so little that we abuse them sexually, what does that mean about God’s promises to us? Is God as fickle, as selfish, as temporary, with us as we are with one another? Instead of showing the world how faithful, long-suffering, and self-denying our Lord is with us, our failures in the marriage covenant cast doubt and uncertainty upon our Lord’s commitment to His people.
Think how wonderful it would be to be able to say to our children, “you see how a husband loves a wife, no matter what, no matter the challenge, no matter the sin? That’s how our God, Jesus Christ, loves YOU!” But, with the rampant disease of sexual brokenness, we are robbed of that primary biblical metaphor/illustration. This week in worship we will be tackling one of the most famous cases of infidelity in the Bible—King David’s adultery with Bathsheba. The ramifications of this were dramatic for David and for the entire Kingdom. And, that’s for a good reason. Read 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12 in preparation for worship this week.
- In verses 1-2 of chapter 11, what was David doing on the roof? Look at how this story is introduced—what are we being told here?
- This week we will talk about the devolution of sin, how things start small, but gradually devolve poorly. Where can you see this in chapter 11? At what point do things go “downhill” for David?
- Be sure you understand the guts of the story… why did David invite Uriah home from the battlefield? Why does David get him drunk? Why does David ultimately send the message back to Joab directing the fight?
- Speculate on why Nathan approaches David as he does? Why the parable of the sheep? Why not just come right out and accuse David?
- Look at verse 13 of chapter 12. How is this a perfect one-verse summary of the Gospel?
By Henry Knapp