Although “infidelity” is not explicitly referenced in the Bible, it is synonymous with terms and ideas frequently mentioned throughout scripture. Synonyms of infidelity include adultery, cheating, unfaithfulness, and betrayal; commonly associated in the context of marriage. Infidelity is also used in meaning a lack of faith within Christian belief.
According to Dictionary.com, listed below are the definitions of infidelity:
1. Marital disloyalty; adultery
2. Unfaithfulness; disloyalty
3. Lack of religious faith, especially Christian faith
4. A breach of trust or a disloyal act; transgression
Matthew 19:9 - And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.
Hebrews 13:4 - Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
Isaiah 47:10 - You felt secure in your wickedness, you said, “No one sees me”; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.”
Matthew 5:31-32 - “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 5:28 - But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
Genesis 2:24 - Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Romans 7:2 - For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
Proverbs 6:25 - Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
1 Timothy 5:8 - But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Christians should know that infidelity and adultery are grave sins that have severe consequences for their marriage and spiritual lives. Not only is infidelity a transgression against the trust and love of a spouse, but a crisis of faith.
In breaking the commandments of God, like committing adultery, we demonstrate a lack of faith and love for God. In addition to likely ruining a marriage, infidelity can lead to damnation if sincere repentance is not achieved.
Let us be mindful of the harsh impacts of infidelity and be watchful over our thoughts and imaginations. "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
Pray for God's mercy to protect you from lustful desires. The Christian life is meant to cleanse us from all sinful passions, in cooperation with God's grace and our free will.
Sources
Why is marital infidelity so destructive? - gotquestions.org
Infidelity Definition - dictionary.com
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