Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” -Luke 19:8, NLT Sorry is a beginning. A true, real sorry is one backed by actions demonstrating an effort … Continue reading “Restitution reveals real sorry”
Category: Sin
Key Repentance
4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” -Luke 13:4-5, NIV Repentance is clearly assumed as necessary before forgiveness and salvation according to Jesus’ own words … Continue reading “Key Repentance”
Marshalling Against You
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. -I Peter 4:8, NLT Marshalling Against You Some Cheaters plan out their exit with great forethought. They take advantage of extended family time–like over Thanksgiving holiday–to prepare family to be sympathetic to them during the discard. … Continue reading “Marshalling Against You”
Effort Involved
She hides and waits like a robber, eager to make more men unfaithful. -Proverbs 23:28, NLT For those inclined to believe a cheater is a victim of his or her circumstances, it is worth noting the effort necessary to cover up the infidelity. In fact, I think the aftermath of the cheating is actually the … Continue reading “Effort Involved”
Cheater labels you “the problem”
When a cheater is done with their spouse, they will treat the spouse as “The Problem.” This is a dangerous time for the faithful spouse because this is when they experience the full contempt of the cheater. Sadly, many pastors and other counselors egg the cheater to say more contemptuous things about the faithful spouse … Continue reading “Cheater labels you “the problem””
Strong Medicine Needed
“Nice” does not work with someone who has doubled down on destruction. If someone is about to run off a cliff, we don’t worry about saying a “harsh” word but rather–those who care–shout to get them to stop running. That is loving. Quietly objecting is not. The one running to their own destruction needs to … Continue reading “Strong Medicine Needed”
World Blown Apart
World Blown Apart Discovering marital infidelity is a discovery that blows apart one’s world. It upends the assumptions of safety one oriented life around. No longer can you trust your most intimate partner for anything. They have harmed you in deep ways that only they could. Such a betrayal! It is disorienting. What is my … Continue reading “World Blown Apart”
Stuck Phenomenon
Stuck Phenomenon Something I’ve noticed over the years working with faithful spouses is how Cheaters often stay stuck in the same cycles. They do not mature. Cheaters want to rehash the same arguments with us over and over again. This makes sense as they are trying to solve something that can only be solved through … Continue reading “Stuck Phenomenon”
Nineveh Example Set
“The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here–but you refuse to repent.” -Matthew 12:41, NLT Does repentance seem necessary for forgiveness (and salvation) according to these words from Jesus … Continue reading “Nineveh Example Set”
No shame for you.
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” -Matthew 19:9, NIV I do not see a time limit set on these words. The exemption is there for anyone who has a spouse that engaged in sexually unfaithful behavior. That is what I see in … Continue reading “No shame for you.”