Many nations today are suffering from the devastating consequences of adultery.
The devil has used this sin to destroy lots of families, causing heartbreak, feelings of betrayal, loneliness, and high divorce rates.
Even in a country like America, dominated by Christians, more than 20% of adults have admitted to cheating on their spouses while married.
As a Christian, you might have committed adultery (or maybe your spouse or someone you know), and you are wondering if God will ever forgive the sin of adultery and accept your being in a new relationship.
Does God forgive Adultery and Accepts the New Relationship?
Yes, God does forgive adultery and accepts the new relationship. However, there are some conditions that must be met for God to forgive your sins and receive you back into His Kingdom.
1. Repentance: (Acts 2:38)
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
~ Acts 2:38 (NIV)
You must repent of your sin; meaning you must turn from it and make a commitment not to do it again.
2. Confession: (James 5:16)
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
~ James 5:16 (KJV)
You must confess your sin out loud to another person who will help hold you accountable for your decision to change.
3. Forgiving others: (Matthew 6:12)
Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us.
~ Matthew 6:12 (GNT)
You must ask for forgiveness from those whom you have wronged, if possible, and forgive others who have wronged you (Matthew 6:12; 18:21-35).
we will look into the scriptures and see what the Bible says about adultery, divorce, and remarriage.
Is Adultery A Mortal Sin?
Yes, adultery is considered a mortal sin in the Bible. In Exodus 20:14, God commanded that we should “not commit adultery,” and the book of Proverbs likens one who commits adultery to a person who “…has no sense, whoever does so destroys himself” Proverbs 6:32.
So God has never tolerated adultery. Even Jesus taught that “anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
This is called ” Emotional Adultery.”
In the Old Testament, the punishment for adultery was death.
God commanded that “both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death….”
~ Leviticus 20:10.
Does God Forgive Adultery?
Yes God forgives adultery. The subject of God forgiving the sin of adultery has been a debate among Christians for centuries.
The book of Corinthians has been cited a lot, quoting Apostle Paul from his first letters to the church at Corinth,
“…Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who have sex with men… will inherit the kingdom of God”.
~ 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
However, through Christ, God can forgive any repentant sinner.
If the adulterer can genuinely repent from the act, the blood of Jesus shall wipe away their sin, guilt, and punishment and give them a new life.
Our assurance stands on the grace of God, which is stronger than condemnation.
In the classic story of John 8:4-11, A woman was caught in adultery and brought to Jesus for judgment based on the commandment in Leviticus 20:10, where Moses’ law says an adulteress should be stoned to death.
They wanted Jesus to condemn her to death, but he did not.
Instead, he got rid of the accusers and declared unto the woman, ” I do not condemn you too, go now and leave your life of sin.”
While God powerfully condemns adultery, He does not condemn the sinner if they are willing to repent and commit to a righteous life.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness”
~ 1 John 1:9.
Does God Accept A New Relationship After Adultery?
It depends.
The issues of divorce and remarriage are usually hot debates among Christians.
Fortunately, the Bible has answers. Whether God will accept a new relationship or remarriage because of adultery is based on two grounds.
1. If the Divorce Results From Sexual Sin
Now it’s scripture to end a marriage on the grounds of sexual sin.
In Matthew 5:32, Jesus teaches, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication causeth her to commit adultery.”
So God accepts a new relationship if you divorce your partner based on sexual immorality.
But, the other reason is a significant determining factor.
2. If the Guilty Spouse Refuses to Repent
While God will permit you to divorce an adulterer, he commands us to forgive our offender ” even as He forgives us.”
If your cheating spouse genuinely repents their sin, you are obliged to forgive them, or God will not approve of your new relationship.
Don’t be like the unforgiving servant. (Matthew 18:21-35)
However, there are various signs that if still found in your cheating spouse, you will be free to divorce and remarry.
When Should You Divorce A Cheating Husband or Wife?
- If your partner refuses to apologize and instead tries to justify themselves.
- If your spouse refuses to get counseling, feeling there is nothing wrong with their evil act.
- If your spouse still meets the person they cheated with on you.
- They keep committing adultery and keep lying about it.
And if your spouse is an unbeliever who doesn’t believe in God and disagrees with a “one-man-to-one-woman” marriage relationship.
If your partner can be described by the above, then you are scripturally free to leave the marriage and remarry.
God wants your mental health and wouldn’t want you to stay in that toxic marriage.
Can A Repentant Adulterer Remarry?
Yes, a repentant adulterer can remarry.
If for any reason, you couldn’t save your marriage due to your sin of adultery – maybe you were unwilling to change and refused to ask for forgiveness, or your ex-spouse refused to forgive you – God also has a plan for you.
Firstly, be sure that you have repented from this act and asked God to forgive you, which he will.
Next, understand that being divorced and seeking a new relationship means you are single, and the Bible does encourage single persons to get married.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying he prefers single people to remain single, “but if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. “ 1 Corinthians 7:9
But make sure to grow in your relationship with God, and commit to your new relationship.
Don’t be like the dog that went back to its vomit. Like Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “... go and sin no more“.
Bottom Line
Adultery, divorce, and remarriage are complex dilemmas to be in.
But, like always, the Bible has answers.
If your cheating partner refuses to repent from adultery, you are free to divorce and remarry, which God will accept.
To the adulterer, if you lose your marriage due to your sinful act, God will only forgive adultery if you have genuinely repented.
And He will approve a new relationship if you cannot control your sexual urge as a single and would rather remarry than burn with passion.
