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The Seventh Commandment: Adultery
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAdultery, in its spiritual dimension, is a profound reflection of Israel's faithlessness to God, as depicted through powerful metaphors of a faithless wife and a rebellious child. God portrays Israel as a sexually wanton entity, akin to a harlot, chasing after lovers in a spirit of harlotry that symbolizes idolatry. This faithlessness, rooted in deceit, extends beyond the covenant with God, permeating the relationships among the people, creating a culture where deceit drives actions and destroys trust. The spirit of harlotry is addictive, enslaving the heart much like wine, bending it to obey sinful desires and eroding discretion and understanding. God laments this national sin, noting Israel's inability to remain faithful to Him or to any commitment, whether to mate, country, or contracts. This pervasive deceit leads to a society marked by a lack of truth, mercy, and acknowledgment of God, fostering an atmosphere of defensiveness and detachment. The consequences are dire, producing not only personal sins like adultery but also societal breakdown, with broken homes and a culture saturated with self-seeking opportunism. God calls for faithfulness, mirroring His unchanging nature, urging a transformation from deceit to fidelity in all aspects of life, as He remains ever faithful to His Word.
Truth-Based Worship Vs Spiritual Confusion
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSpiritual adultery manifests when individuals and nations blend pagan practices with the worship of the true God, turning their hearts away from Him. This corruption is evident in the celebration of holidays like Christmas, which mix deceptive traditions and lies with supposed Christian themes, creating a form of worship that God does not accept. Such syncretism, seen historically in the Israelites' mixture of idolatrous customs with their worship and in modern religious celebrations, leads to spiritual darkness rather than truth. God finds lying and falsehoods abominable, and He rejects worship that incorporates pagan elements, as it separates people from Him through sin. Ungodly spiritual leaders and false teachers encourage this spiritual adultery by promoting traditions over God's truth, leading people down slippery paths. True worship must be grounded in spirit and truth, starting with God as the source of light and revelation, rather than human reasoning or desires. The inspired written Word reveals that God is Spirit, pure and holy, and cannot be honored through customs once used to worship other gods. Thus, combining pagan celebrations with worship of God is incompatible with His command to avoid adding to or taking away from His instructions, ensuring that worship remains untainted by the lies and darkness of the world.
Rahab's Spiritual Reality
Sermonette by Bill OnisickBecause of her resolute action on behalf of the spies, God granted Rahab into the line leading to David and Christ. The just do indeed live by faith.
The Seventh Commandment
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe seventh commandment protects family relationships from a sexual standpoint. Sexual sins are highly destructive, and God wants His children to be pure.
The Beast and Babylon (Part Nine): Babylon the Great
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughFor being a religious book, the Bible contains an unusual number of references to harlotry! Yet they provide understanding of the great harlot of Revelation.
Purifying the Heart
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus advises a repentant Christian to attack sexual sin at its starting point, making it less about sinful acts than about an immoral way of thinking.
Hosea's Prophecy (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHosea was ordered by God to make a symbolic marriage to a harlot. This heartbreaking marriage portrayed Israel's unfaithfulness to God in spite of His care.
The Seventh Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Seventh Commandment—prohibiting adultery—covers the subject of faithfulness. Unfaithfulness devastates many aspects of family and society life.
The Beast and Babylon (Part Seven): How Can Israel Be the Great Whore?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's Word frequently paints unfaithful Israel as a harlot because she has consistently played the harlot in her relationship with God.
Sex, Sin and Marriage
'Ready Answer' by StaffSex and marriage are God-given experiences that Christians need a proper perspective of. Thus, God gives us His seventh commandment: You shall not commit adultery.
The Commandments (Part Sixteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIt is absolutely impossible for lust to bring about any kind of satisfaction. Adultery cannot be entered into without irrevocably damaging relationships.
Are You Being Brainwashed? (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must embrace the fruits of the Spirit, preferring God's truth to the deceitful spin, brainwashing, and doublespeak of the world's institutions.
The Beast and Babylon (Part Six): The Woman's Character
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMost of us are living in the end-time manifestation of Babylon the Great. We can resist her influence if we understand what makes her so attractive to us.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We must become leaders in our own families, protecting them from the curses that are already falling on our nation. We have the obligation to fear God.
The Writing of Prostitutes
'Prophecy Watch' by Martin G. CollinsWhat is pornography? Is nudity wrong? Discover the attitudes behind pornography and why Christians must strive for purity.
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHosea is an account of Israel's unfaithfulness to the covenant with God, and the redemptive work of God to rescue His unfaithful spouse from slavery.
Dating (Part 3): A Love Worthy of Your Life
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSociety's interpretation of love is lust or infatuation. Premarital sex leads to long-term devastating effects, and never leads to adjustment in marriage.
Choosing to Have a Good Relationship
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Bible emphasizes marriage as the primary bond of society. The purpose for the marriage relationship is to depict the marriage of Christ and His bride.
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsModern Israel has a form of religion, but it is empty and unsatisfying because it refuses to obey God and substitutes the traditions of man in its place.
Love and Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod expects works from all He has called. We show our faithfulness and loyalty to God by our works or conduct - what we produce by what we have been given.
Hosea, Gomer, God, and Israel
Sermon by Kim MyersTo dramatize the perennial harlotry of Israel and the incredible love God exhibits toward His people, He commands Hosea to marry a harlot, Gomer.
What's So Bad About Babylon? (2013) (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Babylon is a system, virtually irresistible to the carnal mind, appealing to ambition and self-centeredness. It is far greater than any church institution.
Idolatrous Suppressors of the Truth
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWhen John talks about idols, he is going far beyond things like statues, icons, and crucifixes, but instead anything people focus on first.
The Purpose of the Marriage Relationship
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMarriage prepares God's called-out ones to collectively become the bride of Christ. God hates divorce but allows it on grounds of adultery and violence.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Four): God's Indictment
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEven though Jacob's offspring have had a special relationship with God, their carnal nature led them to test God's patience, growing more corrupt than even Sodom.
What's So Bad About Babylon? (2003) (Part 1)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe world's political, religious, economic, and cultural systems pose a danger to God's people, but God wants us to work out His plan within the Babylonian system.