In many cases, when the cheater begins picking up their Bible and reading it, they are not looking for clear direction. They are looking for key passages to justify what they have done or to condemn themselves. In the case of justification, they want to ease their conscience so that they can continue doing what they are doing ‘guilt-free’. In the cases where they are into self-condemnation, they are selectively looking for passages that indicate they are beyond hope, that they have failed. Upon finding such passages, they feel that they are beyond hope and thereby off the hook in terms of making efforts to save their marriage.
In both cases, they are ‘cherry picking’ in order to justify their actions. In one case, to avoid guilt, in the other, to load up so much guilt that they are ‘not worth’ salvaging. Either way, the payoff is the same. They are looking for a way out and have their blinders on to avoid assuming responsibility for their actions.
This is just another game cheaters play in justifying what they are doing to you. So, just because they are reading the Bible, it does not mean that they are reading things ‘in context’.
Best Regards,
Jeff Murrah
