Is love and free will a guarantee to prevent adultery?

[Bellicus]

I talked with someone that said they would be able to always prevent adultery if they loved their husband/wife. That it was a matter of free will when it comes to adultery, and therefore any temptations could be resisted as long as the person choose to resist it by using their free will.

I disagreed and said that there is always a risk of falling from temptations even if it is a marriage based on love. And it would be wise to avoid situations that might lead to adultery. For example a man should avoid spending time privately with another woman then his wife. And that even considering free will and love, there is always a risk to fall in sin if placed in a situation with temptations.

Who is right and why? Does the scripture tell anything about this?

 

[christianmomof3]

You are correct. Why? Sin. Scripture - I dunno - the ones about not causing others to stumble or avoiding the appearance of evil or the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. All that.

 

[jamesbot]

You are wrong. You do have a choice. You can say no to sleeping with another if you are married.

 

[Bellicus]

You are correct.

You are wrong.

Thanks for answers. But seems like I need some more opinions on this, since it is already disagreement with only 2 answers. Would be happy to see some scripture included that support your opinions.

 

[jamesbot]

I think you are unwise. She did not say what you said, she claims that saying to her "I may sleep with someone else one day" is the thing that hurts.

 

[Bellicus]

I think you are unwise. She did not say what you said, she claims that saying to her "I may sleep with someone else one day" is the thing that hurts.

Well, I never said that.

I don't disagree with being unwise either.

 

[Danya]

I talked with someone that said they would be able to always prevent adultery if they loved their husband/wife. That it was a matter of free will when it comes to adultery, and therefore any temptations could be resisted as long as the person choose to resist it by using their free will.

I disagreed and said that there is always a risk of falling from temptations even if it is a marriage based on love. And it would be wise to avoid situations that might lead to adultery. For example a man should avoid spending time privately with another woman then his wife. And that even considering free will and love, there is always a risk to fall in sin if placed in a situation with temptations.

Who is right and why? Does the scripture tell anything about this?

It depends not on who much love a person has for their spouse, but in what area someone is more likely in sin. It also depends on how mature one is as a Christian in terms of obedience and disciplining oneself.
Temptations can pop into our minds easily, if we get rid of them fast we can by free will avoid sin, assuming one wants to.
When the temptation is allowed to be entertained it is much harder to resist, and one may not even try to resist.

I think I found a good passage for this in James 1
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

Some people are more prone to sin in certain areas than others may be, so free will to choose not to sin can be easy in that way and in other areas very hard.
For some it may be lust and then the sin adultery occurs
For some it may be greed, and stealing may occur.
etc

 

[Philothei]

Free will is a gift we were granted by God. Each and every person that lives on this earth has it. Temptation also exists in our world in everything we do. Making a commitment to a marriage is as important as making a commitment to God "a promise" to honor that person next to us and love them. In my mind if we stop loving that person and cut off that relationship we also cut off our relationship with God as the vow we gave to honor and love our mate is broken. So when we commit adultery it is like we do that in the eyes of God and telling God that we do not do his will anymore. In other words denying Him.
as it says "those who God has put together let no man set apart" thus the severity of "breaking up" a marriage (either by the ones in the 'contract' of marriage or/and outside) is never right but against God's wishes and commands...My 0.2 cents on this.

 

[MamaZ]

Adultry is more than just the act of sleeping with a person. Even lustful thoughts about this is adultry. This happens when the sin that dwells in our mortal body pipes up.. To spend time alone with another woman or man other than your wife or husband is not a good idea for the very fact that one is to only be intimate with their spouse in talking ,touching, feeling, thoughts. It is very wise to stay away from even the temptation of such.. For if one does not place themselves in this temptation then the battle will not occur..

 

[Philothei]

I agree with you in all points there Mama z Although "talking" to a person from the opposite sex does not "atrributes" to adultery perce. It is the intent of that "talking" that messes with marriage. Just brought it up for clarification

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

Sinlessness, this side of heaven, is a theoretical and not a reality.

Now, can one not ACT on that? Yes. Even if he/she is unmarried or in a horrible marriage.



.

 

[sunlover1]

I talked with someone that said they would be able to always prevent adultery if they loved their husband/wife. That it was a matter of free will when it comes to adultery, and therefore any temptations could be resisted as long as the person choose to resist it by using their free will.

I disagreed and said that there is always a risk of falling from temptations even if it is a marriage based on love. And it would be wise to avoid situations that might lead to adultery. For example a man should avoid spending time privately with another woman then his wife. And that even considering free will and love, there is always a risk to fall in sin if placed in a situation with temptations.

Who is right and why? Does the scripture tell anything about this?

What's love got to do with it?


IMO, if one is not aware of the devices of the enemy, one can fall,
no matter how much he/she is in love with her husband.
OTOH, if you're aware of the schemes of the enemy, you can stand
against them even if you lack great love for your spouse.

So the desire to obey and please God (imo) is stronger than any of
those other things.

But either way, you can be tricked, yes.

imo
sunlover

 

[Hentenza]

Mod Hat On
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Thread closed per OP request.​