Expert: Susan Milillo - 9/18/2009

Question
There's a passage in the Bible which says that if you look at a woman lustfully, you have comitted adultery. From what I understand, you can only commit adultery if you're a married person.

But what if I'm not married? From what everyone's been saying, that masturbation always leads to lusting thus commiting adultery. But what happens if I'm not married, surely I can't be comitting adultery when I don't even have a wife?

Answer
Dear John,

I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty to ask my pastor what his take is on this issue.
He said I could cut and paste his answer for you..

As to the question you have here...the issue is adultery of the heart...that is sexual sin in the heart... lust begins in the heart. If it is in the heart it is real, even before doing it with anyone. Heart adultery is spiritual unfaithfulness...which is sin. It is a way of saying this..whether we call it fornication or adultery...the point is sexual unfaithfulness to the law of God. So, anyone trying to justifying heart lust by saying I'm not doing it toward a married woman is doubly guilty of sin and in serious self deception.   


I hope this helps, John!

Lust is lust, and as children of God we are to 'be holy as He is holy.. so be holy in all you do, whether one is married or not.

Blessings,
Susan