“Forgiveness” Rather Than Repentance “Concerned” People

…and if you see him going the wrong direction, cry out and correct him. If there is true repentance on his part, forgive him. -Luke 17:3, TPT I wonder if you have experienced versions of these questions or statements. They usually come from well-meaning (but emotionally and biblically tone-deaf) Christians: “So, have you forgiven her?” … Continue reading ““Forgiveness” Rather Than Repentance “Concerned” People”

Keep telling your story, please!

Telling the story of what happened is important if we want to change how people treat faithful spouses. The larger narrative starts to change when people learn that their friend, colleague, or even family member was mistreated by a cheater. It changes because they are emotionally invested in you and your hurts matter to them. … Continue reading “Keep telling your story, please!”

Pondering eternal destination of cheaters

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. -Hebrews 10:26-27, NIV Do I think unrepentant adulterous spouses are going to Hell? I would answer you with a question: … Continue reading “Pondering eternal destination of cheaters”

PSA: “Forsaking all others” means NO emotional affairs, too!

Public Service Announcement: The marriage vow of “forsaking all others” excludes emotional affairs, too! I say this to emphasize the need to take emotional affairs seriously. When a spouse cares more about how a third party partner feels than their own spouse, they are being unfaithful to their sacred marriage vows. They have given their … Continue reading “PSA: “Forsaking all others” means NO emotional affairs, too!”

Three Key Points for Pastors on Adultery Situations

-3 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ADULTERY- 1. ADULTERY IS SOUL RAPE! The Bible is clear about the principle about how a married couple is no longer two individuals in a spiritual sense but are actually one (see Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:6, I Corinthians 6:15-18, etc). Following from this oneness principle of marriage, any … Continue reading “Three Key Points for Pastors on Adultery Situations”

Not ashamed of my pets “taking care of” me

“You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” -I Kings 17:4, NIV “Do you need someone to take care of you?!” This accusation was aimed at me to shame. It was aimed to suggest the person hearing it was less than an adult. But it … Continue reading “Not ashamed of my pets “taking care of” me”

Pursue them? Jesus did?

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. -Hebrews 10:26-27, NIV Christians are notorious for assuming the right course of action is pursuit when dealing with a cheater. … Continue reading “Pursue them? Jesus did?”

Bitterness or Anger Over Injustices?

God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day. -Psalm 7:11, NKJV Christians are quick to judge faithful spouses as “bitter” without pausing to consider another–more likely–origin of such strong anger: Injustice. To be angry at injustice is a good and godly response to have. It is not “bitterness” but … Continue reading “Bitterness or Anger Over Injustices?”

PSA: Cheaters choose to cheat!

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. -Hebrews 13:4, NLT Choosing to cheat is just that… A CHOICE! It is a sinful choice. And a God-defying choice. A choice that the chooser explicitly said, promised, and vowed … Continue reading “PSA: Cheaters choose to cheat!”