Spiritual Adultery

Dr. Mike Fogerson May 20, 2012

Introduction

A Do you remember when Sandra Bullock won her Golden Globe for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy in “The Blind Side?”

1 In her acceptance speech she said of her then husband, “I love you. You are so hot.”

a She was married to the CEO of West Coast Choppers, T.V. personality Jesse James.

aa Shortly afterwards we find out James was out with several women on the side, unfaithful to his wife.

bb The marriage quickly ended in divorce.

b This last week we’ve seen the trial of John Edwards who cheated on his wife while she was battling cancer.

c Two sad stories of compromising positions, broken vows.

2 Adultery happens in some marriages but there is another type of adultery that takes place much more often – Spiritual Adultery.

a Spiritual adultery occurs when Christians, who are supposed to be in a covenant / spiritually married with Christ break their vows / cheat on Him by worshiping idols.

b James uses a strong word to describe the Christian who is unfaithful to his / her commitment to Christ. Adulteresses. (Compromised)

aa We the church, are the “Bride of Christ” married to Jesus.

bb As His bride we are to be loyal, true, faithful to Him in His sight.

B James could not have been any clearer / plainer than “adulteresses.”

1 Do you prove your faithfulness to God by your daily life or do you prove “your friendship to the world?”

a I fear many Christians spend...

aa More time with their “mistress” (the world) than they do with Christ.

bb More money on their “mistress” than they do on Christ.

cc Feel more at home / comfortable with their “mistress” than they are with Christ.

b What does spiritual adultery consist of? At least three things according to James 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:4-7 (NASB)

aa Spiritual adultery means friendship with the world.

bb Spiritual adultery means opposition to God.

cc Spiritual adultery means giving in to the devil.

2 Pray.

I Spiritual Adultery means friendship with the world. (Vs. 4)

A 1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? James 4:1 (NASB) James says in 4:1 that the reason the church was in such division, full of quarrels & conflicts because worldliness had crept into the church, developed an intimate friendship.

1 “What’s wrong with having friends, or being friends?” - It depends on who your friends are.

a Jesus was a friend to sinners (drunkards, tax collectors, prostitutes) because He wanted to see them saved.

b He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (13 "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."Matt 9:13)

2 Jesus could associate with sinners in order to give them salvation but He never allowed them to have influence over Him.

a He could go to wedding reception & not get drunk; Be alone with a woman who had 5 husbands & living with another man & not lust after her.

b There is nothing wrong with associating with non-Christians, AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT DRAG YOU DOWN.

aa The idea is for us to be a good witness / testimony / influence the lost.

bb What often happens is that the Christians become influenced by those around them & say / do things they normally wouldn’t do at other times.

c 33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." 1 Cor 15:33

B When I was preaching & living in Hammond, I had a fishing friend named Steve who ran a boat motor repair shop & he’d call me from time-to-time. “Let’s go fishing.”

1 Steve drank beer, smoked - Never affected me negatively.

a At 5pm, usually the drinking crowd would start showing up @ Steve’s shop & sometimes I’d be there visiting Steve when the crowd appeared.

b They never bothered me. (I may have bothered them)

c The relationship worked out! Steve eventually got saved & is attending church there in Hammond.

d Not all relationships / friendships go that well, sometimes the reverse happens.