The presence of adultery is a precursor or symptom of a crisis in the relationship. That this is a difficult situation in terms of the psychological state of people, no one can feel at ease knowing or suspecting a partner of sexual intercourse outside marriage. A cheating person is constantly uncertain about how to behave and what to do (Balswick, J., & Balswick, 2019). Knowing that if the truth about extramarital affairs is revealed to a partner, they will feel betrayed and broken makes many live a double life. Family members who have had an experience on the side may suspect the lover or mistress of cheating because they are the hero of the situation. All these facts prevent people from living a full and fulfilling life and deplete them. From the perspective of Christian morality, such a situation is sinful and requires repentance. God is merciful, so he can give people a chance to tell each other the truth and try to forgive each other.
Infidelity is a destructive force, especially when it is revealed to the other member of the couple. Love in a crisis relationship fades, people stop having sex, and the level of romance decreases. These situations occur in all couples, but some people are unwilling to accept this. They start looking for new unplanned encounters and intrigue (Balswick, J., & Balswick, 2019). God tells people that adulterous thoughts can lead to cheating. He asks us not to think about such things but to direct our gaze to that which is beautiful, pure, and praiseworthy. The human brain is not exactly built that way, and people do not control their thinking. Things one tries to push out of one’s mind come back with more force. Trying to run away from thoughts is a major mistake for people. Suppose one couple member is constantly tormented by thoughts of boredom in the relationship and dissatisfaction with it. In that case, the way out of this situation is to have an honest conversation with the partner, avoiding adultery. If the problem is with the sexual relationship, a qualified therapist can help.
Extra-marital relationships come in many forms, so people have quick one-night stands at parties or have long affairs with lovers, such as work colleagues. They look to them for the best options for a happy life or a lost passion. Sometimes, if the situation has gone very far, the man or woman creates a second family, hiding them from each other Balswick, J., & Balswick, 2019). In such a relationship, there is a serious crisis of trust. People no longer trust each other and cannot relax and feel safe. God’s role in restoring relationships is valuable to believers who rely on His Word in their endeavors. Confession to a minister and repentance can be helpful and a start to restoring lost trust. If the relationship has been morally traumatic for both partners, but they are willing to try to forgive each other, psychotherapy can help qualitatively improve this situation.
References
Balswick, J., & Balswick, J. (2019). Authentic human sexuality: An Integrated Christian approach (3rd ed). Intervarsity Press.
Williams, R. (2019). Extramarital affair: A dangerous game many people play. Amazon Digital Services.