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

Repentance looks like generous restitution!

Actions tell us the real contents of the heart. We see from how people behave what they really believe. Words are cheap.

A cheater who is horrified by how they have harmed their partner will demonstrate this through trying VERY hard to make it up to them!

Cheaters who are only sorry for getting caught are more apt to blame the victims of their sinful behavior. They are not interested in repairing what they have destroyed. Their main interest is avoiding consequences.

This later version of cheater is the type who acts entitled after cheating. They want the FAITHFUL SPOUSE to win THEM back!

It is best to cut your losses with such individuals. Divorce is a real and godly option for faithful spouses dealing with such unrepentant creatures (see Mt. 19:9).

A repentant cheater will be obvious. Their actions will communicate how they understand this mess was 100% of their creation!