What to Do When You Are Tempted to Be Unfaithful - Crosswalk Couples Devotional - January 19

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What to Do When You Are Tempted to Be Unfaithful 

By: Vivian Bricker

“You ask, ‘Why?’ It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth” (Malachi 2:14-15).

During marriage, you might be tempted to be unfaithful to your spouse. Maybe there is a new hire at work who makes you feel extra special. Sometimes wives and husbands become indifferent to each other because there is no effort being placed in the marriage. This can cause the wife or the husband to feel they are not valued by one another. In turn, this can lead to fantasies or desires for other people in their life, who show more interest and care in them.

If you are facing this situation today, know that temptation is difficult, but it can be overcome. It can be overcome with the Lord’s help. The Apostle Paul tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). God can help you overcome any temptation, including the temptation at hand today.

Temptation might feel overbearing, but you can work through it. Whenever you are tempted to be unfaithful to your spouse, go to God in prayer immediately. Pray for Him to help you overcome this temptation and to turn back to your spouse. Even if you have given in to the temptation in the past, it is never too late to turn away from sin. God can still provide you with support and forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

However, if you have been unfaithful to your spouse, you will need to be honest with them. Confess to them what happened, truly apologize, and make any necessary changes you need to make. Your spouse might be able to work through this struggle with you, but they might not. If your spouse decides to end the marriage with you because you were unfaithful to them, you will have to respect their decision.

Ultimately, knowing this should prevent any wife or husband from being unfaithful. When you are tempted, ask yourself, “Am I willing to lose my spouse over this?” Thinking over this question can help you make the right decision. Even if you and your spouse have fallen on hard times right now, it is vital for you to remember the good times with them and not to act in spite toward your spouse.

The Bible tells us, “You ask, ‘Why?’ It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth” (Malachi 2:14-15).

Within this passage, the Lord tells us that we don’t need to be unfaithful to our spouse. When we made our vows before our spouse, they were to last a lifetime. If we never meant those vows, we should not have made them in the first place. Since we have taken these vows, we must uphold them. God desires for us to be holy, but we won’t be able to do this if we are unfaithful to our spouse.

Therefore, when the time of temptation comes, turn to the Lord. Ask Him for strength and help. It is also important to discuss your feelings of temptation with your spouse and try to identify the root cause of why you are feeling this way. If you feel undervalued in your marriage, let your spouse know, and you will be able to work together to find a solution. Remember, God and your spouse love you; they will be able to help you as you navigate temptation.

Prayer:

“Dear God, I have been struggling with temptation lately. I am tempted to be unfaithful to my spouse, but I know deep down, I don’t want to act on this temptation. Please help me to walk away from temptation and focus on You when it comes. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.”

Vivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.

Related Resource: Tried and True: Marriage Advice from 12 Imperfect Biblical Couples

Tried and True is a marriage guide for couples facing pressure—disappointment, unmet expectations, seasons of delay, or conflict. Drawing from twelve flawed biblical couples, this book helps you understand what your trials are revealing—and how God can use them to strengthen your covenant and. your connection. To learn more, visit https://danache.com/tried-and-true-book/.