Infidelity

I am pretty certain no one enters into a marriage thinking that they will one day cheat on their spouse. We marry for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and health, vowing to uphold the union under God. However, when infidelity enters into the mix, which is way too often, the vows quickly tossed out the window. Yes, infidelity is devastating, shocking, embarrassing causing much pain, shame, and anger. Can a marriage survive and thrive after infidelity? I can’t say I have all the answers to that. Growing up in a church environment, I was taught that infidelity was wrong and that it was the death of a marriage. I watched couples divorce because of these assumptions. I heard church members gossip, passing judgment on the “cheater.” I watched as spouses filed for divorce out of embarrassment to save face within the community. I, too, grew to “hate” the cheater thinking the family would be better off without them, and vowed to divorce my future mate if they ever cheated on me. Thankfully God has moved me into a new awareness of the human condition. I no longer have judgment surrounding infidelity. Yes, it is a sin in God’s eyes, but so is lying, gossiping, and passing judgment. All sin is equal in God’s eyes. The church nor we have no right to determine one sin is worse than another! If we really believe what the bible says, we must understand that God works all things out for each person’s highest good. God is interested in the evolution of the soul. Infidelity is a by-product of a sick and aching soul. We do not condemn sickness of the body, so we must not condemn sickness of the soul either. God uses our free will choices and the consequences of those choices to purify and elevate the soul. Infidelity is a mighty and powerful purifier for all persons involved. Can a marriage survive and thrive after infidelity? I believe the answer to that is found in Hosea 3:1 The Lord said to me, “Go show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”