With regularity, the subject of ‘the sin of infidelity comes up. Like clockwork, there are always some who want to know if it’s a sin. Sometimes, the question is asked in an online context. Other times, it’s asked during a face-to-face discussion with friends, family members, or fellow Christians. Regardless of how it’s asked, there are some common themes that seem to reappear.
In terms of knowing whether or not infidelity (or adultery) is sin, even a cursory reading of Holy Scripture addresses that concern. The matter of whether adultery is sin is settled. Infidelity is a sin.
The habit of searching the pages of the Holy Bible for a loophole or exception happens quite often. With some of you, it is a conscious search, for some, they come from a church that never presented adultery as a sin.
Although this concern is settled, there are always those who continue looking for loopholes. Like lawyers examining a contract, they search for when it’s sin or not sin. They look for exceptions to the rule.
Going through the phase of looking for loopholes and exceptions is one of the common steps cheaters wrestle with. Some even take the position that the standards don’t apply to them or their situation. They may even attack the authority of the Holy Bible itself.
In their mind, they feel they are being kept from enjoyment or fulfillment. The reality is that infidelity brings heartache, confusion and turmoil. By classifying it as a sin, it protects you from bigger problems.
There are also some who not only consider infidelity a sin, they go so far as to hold onto the idea that it’s an unforgivable sin. They believe that once it happens, your marriage is totally over. I don’t view adultery as unforgiveable.
What I think is more important in affair recovery is healing after the sin of infidelity. You and your marriage can recover from what happened. It’s possible to get past the infidelity. In order to do that, you have to come to terms with it and then get on with your life.
Infidelity is a sin. If you break the vows of marriage, whether they’re spoken or unspoken, it’s a sin in God’s eyes and should be one in yours as well.
I believe infidelity is forgivable. Infidelity doesn’t have to mean the end of your marriage.
There are ways of restoring your relationship. There are ways of recovering and healing your soul, heart, and mind after it happens. Infidelity doesn’t have to be considered an unforgivable sin unless you want it to stay that way.
Holding onto your resentments and grudges is a sure way of keeping infidelity unforgiven. Withdrawing from your spouse and refusing to talk with them is another way of keeping things unforgiven.
Keeping secrets and telling lies about the affair also keeps it unforgiven. Then there are some who don’t know how or where to start letting go of something that did so much damage.
I find that some of the same people who consider infidelity an unforgivable sin are often those who end up sinning in holding onto their own grudges, resentments and bitterness. It’s a weird paradox of how they treat infidelity ends up tripping up themselves.
If you’re one who doesn’t know where to start or how to forgive, there’s hope. In the video “Forgiveness: Stop the Pain, Tear down the walls and Remove the roadblocks”, I address the how and where to start concerning forgiveness.
Recovery from infidelity is possible. The question is whether or not you want to recover.
You can click and download the video, starting your journey to recovery within a few minutes.
Infidelity doesn’t have to be an unforgivable sin.
Keeping It Real,
Jeff
