There are several factors that affect the spiritual life of a human being. When a man does not have knowledge of the word of God, he is like the wind, we do not know where he comes from or where he is going. In this way, he can easily fall into adultery, since the knowledge of the word of the Lord warns us about this.
Solomon makes a comparison between the thief and the adulterer. The thief, when he is discovered and faces justice, ends up paying more than he has stolen. However, he also mentions that the adulterer steals, but it is impossible for him to repay.
The mention, or rather this comparison, that Solomon makes in this verse between the thief and the adulterer makes it clear that the thief can restore what he has stolen and even more, but the adulterer cannot do so. This is due to lack of knowledge.
But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Proverbs 6:32
Adultery is a sin that is committed out of desire, since it is the desire of man and the flesh. This unbridled desire causes the soul to become corrupted, as this proverb mentions.
Why does he who commits adultery lack understanding? Because he does not care for or control his flesh. It is a desire that is always present to deceive you and put you at odds with the Lord.
Solomon exhorts us to avoid falling into this unbridled desire of the flesh, because once in, restitution is difficult. Although there is no doubt that your life will change, this only happens if you return to the full knowledge of the Lord and remove this evil from your life.
When we carefully examine this proverb, we can see that adultery does not only harm the body or damage relationships, but it directly affects the soul of the one who commits it. Solomon is very clear in stating that the adulterer destroys his own soul, because sin always brings consequences that go beyond what the human eye can perceive. What begins as a moment of pleasure ends in spiritual emptiness, guilt, and separation from God.
Unlike other sins that may allow a form of compensation or restoration toward another person, adultery leaves deep wounds that cannot be easily repaired. Trust is broken, families are damaged, and testimonies are ruined. This is why Solomon highlights the seriousness of this sin and places it above simple theft. The thief may restore what he took, but the adulterer carries a mark that affects his conscience and his walk with God.
The lack of understanding mentioned in this passage does not refer to intellectual ignorance, but to spiritual blindness. A person who knows God’s commandments and still chooses to disobey them allows desire to rule over wisdom. When the fear of the Lord is absent, the heart becomes vulnerable to temptation, and the flesh takes control of decisions that should be guided by the Spirit.
This is why the word of God continually calls us to remain vigilant and rooted in His truth. Knowledge of Scripture acts as a protective wall, reminding us of the consequences of sin and the value of holiness. When a believer meditates on the word of God, his mind is renewed, and his desires begin to align with the will of the Lord.
However, the message of this passage is not only one of warning, but also of hope. Although adultery brings destruction, God’s mercy remains available to those who sincerely repent. Returning to the knowledge of the Lord implies humility, confession, and a genuine desire to abandon sin. God is able to restore the broken heart and renew the mind of those who turn back to Him.
Therefore, Solomon’s exhortation remains relevant today. We must guard our hearts, discipline our flesh, and seek wisdom daily in the presence of the Lord. By doing so, we protect our souls from destruction and walk in obedience, honoring God with our bodies, our thoughts, and our lives.