In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. -Matthew 23:28, NIV Dealing with a religious cheater and religious supporters of said cheater results in a master’s class in spiritual abuse tactics and religious manipulations. The lessons I have learned … Continue reading “A master’s class in recognizing spiritual abuse and religious manipulations”
Category: Emotional Affair
Which category is the cheater in? Pharisee or enemy?
Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell? -Matthew 23:30, NLT But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:44-45a, NIV Recently, I have been meditating on the different ways Jesus handled people who acted in … Continue reading “Which category is the cheater in? Pharisee or enemy?”
Senseless Consciences
But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith…[misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning]…. -I Timothy 4:1a,2, AMP When a cheater is telling their spouse, pastor, and/or Christian counselor that … Continue reading “Senseless Consciences”
PSA: The worst piece of advice I followed in my first marriage’s ending.
“Contend with your mother, contend, For she is not my wife, and I am not her husband; And let her put away her harlotry from her face And her adultery from between her breasts…” -Hosea 2:2, NASB While I do not mind the end result–the merciful divorce paving the way to my marriage to Mrs. DM–I am still … Continue reading “PSA: The worst piece of advice I followed in my first marriage’s ending.”
Worldly Wisdom says, “Own your part to the marriage’s breakdown.”
“And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery–unless his wife has been unfaithful.” -Matthew 19:9, NLT What did YOU contribute to your marriage’s breakdown?! Years ago, I used to believe this was a reasonable question to ask any divorced individual. After all, we are imperfect creatures. We … Continue reading “Worldly Wisdom says, “Own your part to the marriage’s breakdown.””
Making a public sin, private is part of the problem.
But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. -I Timothy 5:20, NIV The risk I run by continuing this ministry is experiencing the judgment and condemnation of others. “He must be bitter.” “I am concerned about his new family. He you would think he would … Continue reading “Making a public sin, private is part of the problem.”
Even God requires repentance before welcoming back!
“If you want to come back, O Israel, you must really come back to me. You must get rid of your stinking sin paraphernalia and not wander away from me anymore.” -Jeremiah 4:1 (from 1-2 block), THE MESSAGE This verse comes on the heals of the chapter where God declares His divorce of Israel over … Continue reading “Even God requires repentance before welcoming back!”
Cheater, stop trying to blame your partner! Focus on YOUR part!!
“She will just keep this hanging over my head. I don’t think she will ever really forgive me.” -Cheater to pastor Cheater, focus on YOUR own part! A wise pastor and Christian counselor will not take this bait to bash the faithful spouse. Instead, he or she will remind the cheater that he only controls … Continue reading “Cheater, stop trying to blame your partner! Focus on YOUR part!!”
The Self-Deceived Cheater
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron…. -I Timothy 4:2, KJV I am convinced the “best” liars are self-deceived cheaters. They believe what they are telling others. This might be the verbal diarrhea of “justifying” why they had to cheat or were entitled to cheat on their spouse. The saddest … Continue reading “The Self-Deceived Cheater”
Cheater-Speak: “I made a mistake. Give me a break!”
“It was a mistake. Come on! Give me a break.” -Cheater Adultery is far more than “a mistake.” The word just makes me cringe internally when I see or hear it used to talk about infidelity. In one sense, the word is accurate. The person did something wrong. A “mistake” highlights that. However, the word … Continue reading “Cheater-Speak: “I made a mistake. Give me a break!””