The Roman Catholic Church maintains its longstanding teaching that adultery is a grave sin, rooted in the Sixth Commandment: "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Adultery is seen as a violation of the sanctity of marriage, undermining its dignity and the sacred bond between spouses. However, recent teachings, particularly under Pope Francis in Amoris Laetitia (2016), have introduced a more compassionate approach. While adultery remains a serious moral offense, the Church emphasizes mercy and pastoral care, seeking to guide individuals toward healing, reconciliation, and a renewed commitment to moral living. This balanced approach combines adherence to doctrine with an acknowledgment of the complexities of human frailty.
The Biblical Teaching on Adultery: A Dire Warning from Proverbs
The Bible unequivocally condemns adultery, emphasizing both its spiritual consequences and the practical devastation it brings. Proverbs 5-7 paints a vivid picture of the dangers of adultery, highlighting its deceptive allure and the inevitable ruin it causes. The Roman Catholic Church may offer mercy and pastoral care to adulterers, but this has no bearing on the individual’s repentance before God. The forgiveness of sins is not within the authority of men; it is solely between the sinner and God. As Proverbs 5:21 reminds us, “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.” Adultery is ultimately a sin against God, and no earthly institution can mediate that repentance.
The Deceptive Allure of Adultery
Proverbs warns against the enticement of adultery, describing it as a snare that seduces individuals with promises of pleasure and fulfillment, but ultimately leads to destruction. Proverbs 5:3-5 states:“For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.”
This passage vividly illustrates that while adultery may seem enticing in the moment, it carries consequences far greater than fleeting satisfaction. It is not just a moral failing but a direct rebellion against God’s design for marriage, leading to spiritual death.
The Cost of Adultery
Adultery exacts a heavy toll, both spiritually and materially. Proverbs 6:32-33 declares:“But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.”
The Bible makes it clear that adultery destroys not only the sinner’s soul but also their reputation, relationships, and legacy. The consequences ripple far beyond the individual, affecting their spouse, family, and community. There is no material compensation or worldly act that can erase the harm caused by this sin. Proverbs 6:35 emphasizes:“He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.”
No amount of penance or reparations can undo the damage. The sinner is left with a deep, abiding scar, one that only true repentance and God’s forgiveness can begin to heal.
Speaking from personal experience, my fornication devastated both my life and my health. I write not to judge or point fingers at others, but because I have personally endured the painful consequences of my sinful choices. My goal is to help others recognize the light of the Gospel and grasp the greater, unseen spiritual battle unfolding around us.
Adultery is a Sin Against God
While the Roman Catholic Church may emphasize pastoral care and offer reconciliation within the institution, this does not address the sinner’s accountability before God. The Church’s mercy is insufficient to restore the broken relationship with the Creator. Proverbs 5:21 reminds us:“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.”
God sees all actions, including those done in secret, and it is His judgment alone that matters. Repentance cannot be mediated by priests or clergy but must be a direct act between the sinner and God. No man, regardless of title, has the power to forgive sins. This aligns with Christ’s warning in Mark 2:7 “Who can forgive sins but God only?
The Eternal Consequences
Adultery is not merely a sin with earthly consequences; it has eternal ramifications. Proverbs 7:26-27 provides a chilling warning:“For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.”
The path of adultery leads to spiritual death, separating the sinner from God. It is not a trivial matter or one to be softened with platitudes. The sinner must recognize the gravity of their actions and turn to God in sincere repentance, seeking His mercy and forgiveness.
True Repentance and Restoration
Adultery can only be reconciled through genuine repentance before God, not a priest. This involves a complete acknowledgment of the sin, a heartfelt plea for forgiveness, and a turning away from the behavior. As 1 John 1:9 assures us:“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
No amount of going to Mass can forgive adultery, as these are external rituals that cannot cleanse the spirit. True forgiveness and purification come solely from our divine Creator, who has the power to wash away sins through the Holy Spirit. The Bible makes it clear that forgiveness is not achieved through human institutions or ceremonies but through heartfelt repentance and God’s mercy. As Psalm 51:17 states: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
While the RCC’s pastoral care may provide emotional support and guidance, it does not have the power to absolve sin. The authority to cleanse the soul and restore the individual to righteousness belongs to God alone. No priest, ritual, or act of penance can substitute for the transforming power of divine grace. Isaiah 1:18 reminds us of this truth: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” True healing and redemption come not from the intervention of men but from a direct relationship with God and His boundless forgiveness.
On another note
The Vatican’s recent excommunication of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò marks a bold move to address growing dissent within the Church. On July 4, 2024, Viganò was removed for refusing to recognize Pope Francis’ authority, rejecting the Second Vatican Council, and defying Church teachings. This decision bars him from celebrating or receiving sacraments, highlighting the Church's effort to maintain unity under the pope.
Viganò, known for his anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, accused Pope Francis of allowing same-sex blessings and fostering “corruption” within the Church. He also criticized the pope’s handling of sexual abuse cases and conflated LGBTQ+ inclusivity with pedophilia—a claim both unfounded and harmful.
This excommunication is part of a larger Vatican effort to suppress opposition, as seen in recent actions against other conservative critics. While Pope Francis promotes pastoral care and inclusivity, his critics argue these measures dilute the Church’s moral foundations.
Viganò’s removal reflects the tension between traditionalist factions and a more compassionate approach within the Catholic Church. This defining moment underscores the Vatican’s resolve to uphold its leadership, but it also raises questions about the balance between authority, tradition, and evolving societal norms.
Here is a powerful excerpt from Charles Chiniquy, a former Catholic priest, in his book Fifty Years in the Church of Rome:
"The Jesuits, who want to rule the priests and the church with an iron rod, and who are aiming to change the pope and the bishops into the most heartless tyrants, have advised the administrator to force you to give an unconditional act of submission. It is not the Word of God which must rule us now, It is the old Jupiter who is coming back to rule us under the name of a modern divinity, called the authority of the bishops".
A Biblical Response
First and foremost, the head of the Church and the ultimate High Priest for all Christians is Jesus Christ, who reigns over His spiritual kingdom and governs His Church, composed of all true believers. The Bible teaches that believers are the temple of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). No mere mortal, no matter how exalted their position in a religious hierarchy, can supersede the authority of Christ or His Word. Any claim to such authority contradicts the sovereignty of God and the truth of Scripture.
To suggest that a man can exalt himself above the Almighty Creator or alter His decrees is antithetical to the Gospel. So, let us turn to what God’s Word says about the sin of homosexuality. This is not about pleasing people or softening the truth to ease guilty consciences; it is about proclaiming the eternal and unchanging truth of God.
Leviticus 18:22
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” This verse explicitly condemns homosexual acts, declaring them an abomination in the eyes of God. It reflects the moral order established by the Creator and His design for relationships.
Romans 1:26-27
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
The Apostle Paul warns that unnatural sexual desires and actions are a sign of humanity’s rebellion against God. These acts are described as “vile affections” that go against the natural order established by Him.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“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. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
This passage provides a sobering warning: those who live in unrighteousness, including those who practice homosexuality (“abusers of themselves with mankind”), will not inherit the kingdom of God. However, it also offers hope—through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, sinners can be washed, sanctified, and justified.
The Bible is unambiguous in its teaching on homosexuality. It is sin, and like all sin, it separates us from God. No man or institution has the authority to redefine sin or grant moral approval to what God has explicitly condemned. Salvation and forgiveness are available to all who repent and turn to Christ, but repentance requires acknowledging sin for what it is—rebellion against a Holy God. To pretend otherwise is to deny the truth of Scripture and the redemptive power of the Gospel.
However, as Christians, this does not mean we despise the person. Instead, we are called to hate the sin, like all evil and disobedience against God, while continuing to love and pray for the sinner. Matthew 5:44 teaches us: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Our mission is not to condemn individuals but to guide them toward the truth and redemption found in Christ, remembering that we too are sinners saved by grace.
The Bible gives a stark and solemn warning about altering or tampering with God’s Word. Revelation 22:18-19 states: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” This verse makes it abundantly clear that anyone who adds to or takes away from Scripture risks eternal separation from God, forfeiting their place in the book of life. The consequences are dire and reflect the sanctity and immutability of God’s Word.
With this in mind, how then can the pope, or any human authority, claim to hold ultimate power to redefine God’s laws, including His explicit condemnation of homosexuality? By endorsing practices such as same-sex blessings or attempting to authorize actions contrary to Scripture, he sets himself in direct opposition to the Word of God. The Bible unequivocally condemns homosexuality in Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, leaving no room for reinterpretation or revision.
Such actions are not only a distortion of God’s truth but also an attempt to exalt human authority above divine command. This aligns disturbingly with the description in 2 Thessalonians 2:4, which warns of the "man of sin" who “opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” Any leader who dares to amend or contradict God’s Word is effectively placing themselves in a position of ultimate authority, which Scripture reserves for God alone.
Moreover, the authority to forgive sins or redefine morality lies solely with God. The pope’s claim to act on such matters contradicts the teachings of Acts 4:12: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Only through Christ, not through any human intermediary or institution, can salvation and forgiveness be granted.
This raises an urgent question for those who follow human leaders over God’s Word: where does your ultimate allegiance lie? Scripture calls believers to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29) and to remain faithful to His unchanging truth. Any deviation from the Gospel is not a mere theological difference but a direct act of rebellion against the Creator.
Ultimately, the Bible calls for humility and submission to God’s authority, not the exaltation of human institutions or leaders. The warnings in Revelation 22:18-19 are not just theoretical—they are a divine mandate to preserve the purity of God’s Word and to reject any teaching or action that seeks to diminish, alter, or contradict it. As believers, we must stand firm in Scripture, upholding its truths and rejecting any attempts to twist them for human approval or institutional gain.
I’ll conclude with a powerful quote from Charles Chiniquy, a former Catholic priest, in his book Fifty Years in the Church of Rome:
“But why let my memory and my thoughts linger any longer in these frightful paths, where murderers, liars, perjurers and thieves are assured by the theologians of the Church of Rome that they can lie, steal, murder and perjure themselves as much as they like, without offending God, provided they commit those crimes according to certain rules approved by the Pope for the good of the Church.”
This perfectly illustrates the peril of the pope embracing same-sex unions while the Bible explicitly condemns homosexuality. By lessening the severity of sin, the Church not only contradicts God’s Word but also sets a precedent for justifying what God has already declared as unrighteous.
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