Throughout history, some men have attempted to use religion, culture, or selective interpretation of Scripture to justify cheating, adultery, or maintaining multiple women. In modern culture, there are arguments claiming that because men are “hunters by nature,” it is natural or even unavoidable for men to desire many women. Others point to biblical figures who
had multiple wives as proof that God approves of such behavior. However, when the Bible is studied in its full context from Genesis to the New Testament, Scripture consistently points back toward faithfulness, self-control, covenant love, and responsibility rather than uncontrolled lust or sexual entitlement.
From the very beginning, God established His original design for marriage in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:24 declares, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Notice the pattern established by God:
- one man,
- one wife,
- one flesh.
This foundational design existed before kings, polygamy, and cultural distortions entered human history. Jesus Himself later reaffirmed this original pattern in the New Testament when He said,
“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” Matthew 19:4–5 KJV.
Christ intentionally pointed people back to God’s original intent rather than cultural compromise.
The Old Testament does record several men having multiple wives, including David and Solomon, but the Bible often records human behavior without endorsing it. In fact, Scripture repeatedly shows the painful consequences connected to these relationships. God specifically warned Israel’s kings in Deuteronomy 17:17, saying, “Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away.” This warning became tragically fulfilled in Solomon’s life.
First Kings 11:3–4 states, “And his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods.”
Solomon’s many relationships eventually led to spiritual compromise, idolatry, and the weakening of the kingdom itself.
The Bible also condemns adultery directly. One of the Ten Commandments plainly states, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14 KJV). Proverbs repeatedly warns men about lust, seduction, and immoral relationships. Proverbs 5:18–20 says, “Rejoice with the wife of thy youth… And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman?” These scriptures reveal that God’s desire was never unchecked sexual behavior but covenant faithfulness and wisdom in relationships.
Some individuals attempt to excuse cheating by saying it is simply “male nature.” However, Scripture never teaches that men are powerless against their desires. Instead, the Bible teaches self-control and accountability. Jesus elevated the standard beyond physical actions and addressed the condition of the heart itself when He taught,
“Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28 KJV).
Christ did not excuse lust as unavoidable masculine behavior. Rather, He taught that sinful desire begins internally and must be confronted spiritually.
The New Testament repeatedly teaches holiness, discipline, and faithfulness for both men and women. First
Corinthians 7:2 states, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” Hebrews 13:4 declares, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
Ephesians 5:25 instructs husbands, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
This type of love is sacrificial, faithful, protective, and covenant-based, not rooted in selfish pleasure or emotional manipulation.
The Bible also emphasizes self-control as evidence of spiritual maturity.
Galatians 5:22–23 lists self-control as a fruit of the Spirit, while 1 Thessalonians 4:3–4 teaches, “For this is the will of God… that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.”
Scripture consistently teaches that believers are called to govern their desires rather than be ruled by them.
At its core, using religion to justify cheating or maintaining multiple women often reflects deeper issues such as lust, pride, entitlement, or generational iniquity. Iniquity refers to deeply rooted patterns of sinful behavior that can become normalized within families or cultures. Over time, repeated sinful behavior may begin to feel “natural,” but normalization does not transform sin into righteousness. The Bible calls believers not to reshape God’s Word around their desires, but to allow God’s Word to transform their hearts.
Ultimately, Scripture presents faithfulness as a reflection of God’s own character. While human culture may glorify infidelity, conquest, and sexual excess, the Bible continually calls people back toward covenant loyalty, purity, integrity, and self-control. Men are not biblically excused from accountability because of desire, nor are women exempt from responsibility. Instead, both are called to pursue holiness, discipline, wisdom, and faithfulness before God.