Cheating on God

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
I Corinthians 6:9-10

We understand what the Bible means when we are told not to commit adultery. We understand what it means when it is condemned in the Old Testament (Exodus 20:14, Proverbs 6:32). We understand what it means when it is condemned in the New Testament (Matthew 5:27-32, Galatians 5:19-21). And so, as Christians, it is something we avoid in marriage. How many marriages have been torn asunder because of an unfaithful spouse? How many families have been broken because of adultery?

And yet, how often do we do as Israel had and commit spiritual adultery? How often are we unfaithful to God? How often do we turn away from Him and turn to somewhere else, effectively cheating on God?

The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. And it came to pass through the lightness of herwhoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
Jeremiah 3:6-9

Just as adultery often results in the dissolution of a marriage relationship, when we pursue something other than God (Matthew 6:33), we risk dissolving our relationship with God. We must be careful to remain faithful to the Lord. We must be sure that we remain true.

Be submissive to Christ -Ecclesiastes 5:24
Serve no other -Matthew 6:24
Have no idols/covetousness -Colossians 3:5
Remember our first love -Revelation 2:4-5

Let us all strive to be faithful to the Lord. Let us all strive to keep our spiritual relationship intact, that we may be with Him for eternity.