40+Bible Verses Addressing Cheating in Relationships

‘Infidelity is a painful betrayal, but the Bible offers guidance and wisdom to heal and navigate through such challenges.’

Cheating in relationships is a devastating experience that shatters trust and leaves deep emotional scars. It can lead to the breakdown of relationships, families, and communities. However, the Bible provides wisdom and guidance on how to address this issue, offering comfort, understanding, and a path to healing.

The Scriptures not only highlight the importance of faithfulness in relationships but also offer hope and redemption for those who have experienced or committed infidelity.

In this article, we will explore 45 powerful Bible verses that speak directly to the topic of cheating in relationships, offering insights and encouragement for anyone facing this painful challenge.

Scriptures on Cheating in Relationships

1. Exodus 20:14 (NIV)

“You shall not commit adultery.”

2. Leviticus 20:10 (NIV)

“‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.”

3. Proverbs 6:32 (NIV)

“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”

4. Proverbs 5:3 (NIV)

“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;”

5. Matthew 5:27-28 (NIV)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

6. Matthew 19:9 (NIV)

“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

7. Mark 10:11-12 (NIV)

“He answered, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.’”

8. John 8:3-4 (NIV)

“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.’”

9. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NIV)

“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

10. Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

11. James 4:4 (NIV)

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

12. 2 Samuel 11:2-4 (NIV)

“One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, ‘She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’ Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanliness. Then she went back home.”

13. Proverbs 7:22-23 (NIV)

“All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.”

14. Hosea 3:1 (NIV)

“The Lord said to me, ‘Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.’”

15. Jeremiah 3:8 (NIV)

“I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery.”

16. Malachi 2:16 (NIV)

“The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. “So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.”

17. Ezekiel 16:32 (NIV)

“You adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband!”

18. Matthew 5:32 (NIV)

“But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

19. Matthew 12:39 (NIV)

“He answered, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.’”

20. Luke 16:18 (NIV)

“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

21. John 4:18 (NIV)

“The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

22. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NIV)

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;”

23. 1 Corinthians 7:2 (NIV)

“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”

24. 1 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

“To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.”

25. 1 Corinthians 7:11 (NIV)

“But if she does, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.”

26. Proverbs 2:16-17 (NIV)

“It will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.”

27. Proverbs 5:20 (NIV)

“Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?”

28. Proverbs 6:20-23 (NIV)

“My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,”

29. Ecclesiastes 7:26 (NIV)

“I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.”

30. Ezekiel 23:45 (NIV)

“But righteous men will sentence them to the punishment of those who commit adultery and murder, because they are adulterous and blood is on their hands.”

Bible Verses on Moderation

31. Jeremiah 7:9 (NIV)

“‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known,’”

32. Jeremiah 23:14 (NIV)

“And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that not one of them turns from their wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”

33. Ezekiel 16:38 (NIV)

“I will punish you as women who commit adultery and murder are punished. I will bring upon you the blood vengeance of my wrath and jealous anger.”

34. Ezekiel 18:6 (NIV)

“Does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. Does not defile his neighbor’s wife or have sexual relations with a woman during her period.”

35. Hosea 4:12 (NIV)

“My people consult a wooden idol, and a diviner’s rod speaks to them. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God.”

36. Hosea 4:13 (NIV)

“They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.”

37. Matthew 16:4 (NIV)

“A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.”

38. Luke 11:29 (NIV)

“As the crowds increased, Jesus said, ‘This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’”

39. John 7:53 (NIV)

“Then they all went home,”

40. John 8:11 (NIV)

“‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’”

41. Romans 13:13 (NIV)

“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”

42. 1 Peter 4:3 (NIV)

“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.”

43. Revelation 2:20 (NIV)

“Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.”

44. Revelation 21:8 (NIV)

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

45. Revelation 22:15 (NIV)

“Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”

ANSWER TO KEY QUESTION

1. What does the Bible say about forgiveness after cheating?

The Bible encourages forgiveness, but it also emphasizes the need for repentance and sincere change. Forgiveness is vital, but reconciliation depends on both parties’ willingness to heal and restore trust.

2. Are there specific steps for healing from infidelity according to the Bible?

While the Bible does not provide a step-by-step guide, it emphasizes prayer, seeking God’s guidance, and working towards forgiveness and reconciliation.

3. Does the Bible allow divorce in cases of infidelity?

Yes, Matthew 19:9 and Matthew 5:32 indicate that infidelity is a valid reason for divorce, though the Bible also encourages reconciliation if possible.

4. How can one avoid infidelity according to the Bible?

Maintaining a strong, faithful relationship with God and adhering to Biblical teachings on purity and commitment can help prevent infidelity.

5. What does the Bible say about the consequences of infidelity?

The Bible often associates infidelity with severe consequences, including spiritual and relational harm. It calls for repentance and turning away from sinful behavior.

6. How can someone restore their relationship after infidelity according to the Bible?

Restoration involves genuine repentance, seeking forgiveness from both God and the offended party, and committing to a renewed, faithful relationship.

Conclusion

Infidelity is a challenging and painful issue in relationships, but the Bible offers clear guidance on how to address and understand it. The Scriptures provide a framework for maintaining faithfulness and offer hope for healing and redemption.

By reflecting on these 45 Bible verses, individuals can find strength, wisdom, and encouragement to navigate through the complexities of infidelity and work towards restoration and reconciliation. Embracing Biblical principles can lead to healing and renewed commitment in relationships, fostering a deeper understanding of love and faithfulness.