The Spiritual and Health Consequences of Adultery in Marriage
Sexual problems in marriage, whether rooted in emotional disconnect, unresolved conflict, or personal shortcomings, have the power to destabilize a home. Each issue, on its own, carries enough weight to cause significant damage. One of the most dangerous consequences is adultery, which brings with it serious financial, medical, and spiritual implications—any of which can ruin a marriage.
Financial Implications
Adultery is expensive. Maintaining an adulterous relationship demands financial resources—whether it’s spent on secret meetings, gifts, or covering up the affair. Additionally, the adulterer’s “partner in sin” may also demand financial support. This drain can severely impact the family’s finances, leading to a lower standard of living, diminished attention and affection for the legitimate spouse and children, and overall disaffection in the home.
Medical Implications
From a medical perspective, adultery significantly increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The adulterer may become a carrier, unknowingly infecting their spouse. Discovering such an infection can ignite deep conflict between partners, and in extreme cases, lead to terminal illness or death. The fallout can be devastating—not only to the marriage but to the entire family structure.
Spiritual Implications
Spiritually, adultery represents a grave breach of one’s relationship with God. As 1 Corinthians 6:16–17 explains, “He who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body… But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” It is impossible to be joined with both God and sin simultaneously. By becoming one with an adulterer, a person severs their connection to divine grace and exposes their home to spiritual chaos.
Such homes often fall prey to demonic influences, leading to fighting, unfaithfulness, frustration, mutual distrust, fear, and lack of peace—all factors that contribute to family breakdown. Moreover, the spiritual consequences are eternal. As Paul warned the Corinthian church, “Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers… will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10, NIV).
Also read – CAUSES OF SEXUAL PROBLEMS IN MARRIAGE
Therefore, Scripture urges us to flee from sexual immorality. “All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18). As believers, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit—we are not our own, for we were bought at a price: the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Consequently, we are called to honor God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
Paul further pleads in Romans 12:1–2 (NIV): “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” In doing so, we protect our homes from destruction and keep our spiritual connection with God intact.
