Here are at least 10 ways that Ellen White’s writings describe how adultery can be committed, based on her books, manuscripts, and compilations:
1. **Physical sexual relations outside of marriage**: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (
1SP 236.5;
SR 141.3)
2. **Lustful thoughts and desires**: “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28;
10MR 187.1)
3. **Improper attentions and advances**: “Unchaste thoughts are entertained which lead to improper attentions and advances, then to improper actions.” (
17MR 140.2)
4. **Marrying someone who is divorced for reasons other than adultery**: “Whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” (Matthew 5:32;
10MR 187.1)
5. **Emotional or spiritual unfaithfulness**: “He who is not true to his God cannot be true to his wife.” (
10MR 191.1)
6. **Encouraging or accepting improper attentions**: “Married men... fanning around the girls, and the girls making advances to them or encouraging their attentions... next the seventh commandment transgressed.” (
18MR 296.2)
7. **Spiritual adultery (unfaithfulness to God)**: “Unfaithfulness of the church to Christ in allowing worldly things to occupy the soul is likened to violation of the marriage vow.” (HF 237)
8. **Intimacy with another’s spouse**: “I saw you... very intimate with another man's wife, betraying sacred trusts, crucifying your Lord afresh.” (
3SM 44.2)
9. **Breaking down sanctified barriers by lustful passions**: “All these sanctified barriers are broken down by lustful passions; all that is Godlike in the husband is made the servant of low, brutish lust.” (
CCh 136.1)
10. **Fornication and adultery as tolerated sins**: “Fornication and adultery are estimated by a large number... as sins which God winks at. These sins are practiced to a great extent.” (
2T 449.2)
These references show that Ellen White considered adultery to include not only physical acts but also thoughts, emotional infidelity, improper relationships, and even spiritual unfaithfulness.
References:
- White, E. G. Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 236.5 (
1SP 236.5)
- White, E. G. Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 141.3 (
SR 141.3)
- White, E. G. Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, pp. 187.1, 191.1 (
10MR 187.1, 191.1)
- White, E. G. Manuscript Releases, vol. 17, p. 140.2 (
17MR 140.2)
- White, E. G. Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, p. 296.2 (
18MR 296.2)
- White, E. G. The Story of Redemption, p. 237 (HF 237)
- White, E. G. Selected Messages, book 3, p. 44.2 (
3SM 44.2)
- White, E. G. Counsels for the Church, p. 136.1 (
CCh 136.1)
- White, E. G. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 449.2 (
2T 449.2)