CWW Week 39 - Spiritual Adultery - Day 7
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Title: “The Woman on the Scarlet Beast: A Warning Against Spiritual Adultery”
Revelation 17:1-2 (NIV):
“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and with the wine of her prostitution the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated.’”
A Shocking Vision of Betrayal
The book of Revelation is full of vivid, powerful imagery, and this passage introduces one of the most striking symbols: the great prostitute. The image is shocking, raw, and deliberately designed to grab attention.
This woman represents spiritual adultery at a massive scale—an unfaithfulness so deep it involves kings and nations, not just individuals. It’s a picture of a powerful entity seducing the world, pulling people away from God through deception, false worship, and moral compromise.
Her “sitting by many waters” symbolises her influence over multitudes—her reach is wide and intoxicating. Through her, the earth’s leaders commit adultery, betraying their covenant with God.
What Does Spiritual Adultery Look Like Here?
This isn’t about a physical relationship but a spiritual one. The term “adultery” describes unfaithfulness to God, a betrayal of the covenant relationship between Creator and creation.
The “great prostitute” is symbolic of false religion, corrupt systems, and worldly powers that lure people into idolatry and sin. Her “wine” intoxicates the earth’s inhabitants—suggesting people are not only seduced but also blinded and controlled.
This is the ultimate spiritual betrayal: replacing God’s truth and love with lies and lusts of the world.
The Danger of Being Intoxicated
The phrase “the wine of her prostitution” shows how powerful and destructive this spiritual adultery is. It’s not just a one-off mistake. It’s a deep addiction, a blindness that causes people to lose sight of reality and truth.
This intoxication dulls the senses, weakens the will, and leads to greater compromise. It’s a warning about the seductive nature of sin and false teaching, which can gradually pull even the strongest away from God.
This imagery warns us to be vigilant. We can easily become drunk on:
- Materialism
- Power
- Pleasure
- Cultural acceptance
- False spirituality
Any of these can cloud our judgement, blur our priorities, and pull our hearts from God.
Recognising Spiritual Adultery Today
While Revelation’s imagery is dramatic, the principle is clear and applicable: spiritual adultery is a betrayal of faithfulness to God, often through idolatry and compromise.
Ask yourself:
- Are there “waters” or areas in your life where worldly values drown out God’s voice?
- Have you been intoxicated by something that leads you away from faithful devotion to Jesus?
- Are you holding onto beliefs or habits that pull you into spiritual unfaithfulness?
Spiritual adultery isn’t just ancient history. It’s a danger for every believer. It’s a warning to stay awake and guard your heart.
God’s Call to Faithfulness
Despite this grim picture, the message of Revelation is not hopelessness. God calls His people to repentance, faithfulness, and perseverance.
We’re invited to resist the seductions of the world, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and to live lives marked by holiness and truth.
God desires that His people remain loyal, not swayed by the intoxicating lies of false systems or worldly powers.
Final Thoughts
Revelation 17:1-2 reminds us of the gravity of spiritual adultery—not only as a personal issue but as a cultural and spiritual epidemic. It warns us against being seduced by anything that leads us away from God’s truth and love.
As followers of Christ, we must be vigilant, discerning, and devoted. The stakes are high, but the grace of God is greater. He invites us to live fully for Him, faithful and true.
Reflection Questions
- What are the “waters” in your life—areas where worldly influences might be drowning out your relationship with God?
- Have you ever felt “intoxicated” by things that pull you away from your faith? What were they?
- How can you actively choose faithfulness to God in a world full of distractions and false promises?
Prayer
Dear Lord, Papa God,
Your Word warns me about the dangers of spiritual adultery and the seductive power of the world. Forgive me for the times I’ve been distracted or led astray by things that cloud my heart and mind. Help me to recognise what intoxicates me and pull me back to full devotion to You. Strengthen me to stand firm in truth and faithfulness, even when the world tempts me to compromise. Thank You for Your patience and Your call to repentance and renewal. I want to be loyal to You alone, now and always.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Have a great day today with Jesus.
Graham Hood.
