The True Cost of Adultery

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 6:20-35. Solomon proclaims the importance of the wisdom given in God’s Word by making use of the imagery found in Deuteronomy 6. God’s Word is given by parents to children to guard and guide them in every aspect of life. The wise king instructs his son with this Word particularly in this text as a guard against adultery. Though adultery may appear to offer goodness, it is actually evil. The temptation is to see adultery as victimless, a sin without any real price. The reality is that adultery, whether it starts with prostitution or pornography, only grows and grows into death. Upon further reflection, adultery is completely senseless, especially when viewed in light of the goodness of God’s gift of marriage. In speaking of the temptation toward adultery several times, Solomon lays the groundwork for his later reflection concerning the temptation toward folly. As God’s Word exposes our sin against His commandments, we are constantly turned to Christ’s forgiving love. “Wisdom and Instruction” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Proverbs. Although Proverbs is perhaps best known for its short sayings full of practical advice, the one true God has so much more in this book of wisdom. True wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD. Christians walk His way of righteousness rather than the way of wickedness because we trust that all good gifts come to us through His Son Jesus Christ, who is His wisdom made flesh for our salvation.