2. Adultery and the Liver

Liver in the Bible

The Old Testament gives a place of prominence to the liver. The liver was required for priestly consecration sacrifices and for burnt offerings.
(Exodus 29:13,22; Leviticus 3:4,10,15; 4:9; 7:4; 8:16,25; 9:10,19)

Perhaps this is because the life of the flesh is in the blood, and the liver is the blood-purifying organ. The liver cleanses the blood by breaking down drugs and by efficiently destroying or removing potentially lethal parasites, wastes, impurities, and toxins.

Liver – a Chemistry Lab

The liver is a phenomenal laboratory, doing chemistry that surpasses man’s ability and comprehension. It is a highly specialized organ able to perform over 500 different functions. Artificial livers are totally beyond the reach of modern science. Only some functions can be emulated by liver dialysis today. If the liver stops functioning, death occurs within 24 hours.

The liver is an evolutionist’s nightmare! The superb design is too complex with too many different functions to be the result of millions of years of random genetic accidents. Its structure and functions are too well integrated into the body to have evolved by purposeless chance. The liver is an anatomical and biochemical marvel that testifies to the ingenuity of the Creator.

APL Syndrome

The only liver malady Scripture mentions is the fatal piercing of the liver with an arrow. Scripture says adultery is like an arrow piercing the liver that will cost the adulterer his life (Proverbs 7:21-23).

Imagine the damage and pain caused by an arrow tearing through your liver! This vivid picture can help guard against the mortal danger of adultery.

The Seventh Commandment prohibiting adultery (Exodus 20:14) is a divine safeguard to protect the sacredness and well-being of marriage and home. The extreme necessity of marital faithfulness is megaphoned by the Old Testament penalty for adultery—death (Leviticus 20:10).

Adultery is also stupid. Scripture bluntly calls adulterers self-destructive morons. The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; he who would destroy himself does it. Wounds and disgrace he will find, and his reproach will not be blotted out. (Proverbs 6:32-33)

How do you protect against APL syndrome, the most common and the most dangerous liver disease? Read the concluding blog post in this Valentine’s Day series on The Liver to find out:
3. Preventing APL Disease

Read the prequel:
1. A Liver-Shaped Valentine

Soli Deo Gloria.

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©William T. Pelletier, Ph.D.
“contending earnestly for the faith”
“destroying speculations against the knowledge of God”
(Jude 1:3; 2 Cor 10:4)
Wednesday February 6, 2008 A.D.

Read my February 2008 newspaper column:
A Four-Fold Valentine

With her many persuasions she entices him; with her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, until an arrow pierces through his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, so he does not know that it will cost him his life. (Proverbs 7:21-23)