1 Corinthians 6:15-16 (KJV) says,

“Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to a harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.”

Marriage is called ‘Holy Matrimony’ for a reason. It is the joining of two bodies as one unto the Lord. Hence, Jesus speaking in Mark 10:6-9 (KJV) says,

“But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”

You are one flesh with your spouse, the same way you are one with Jesus Christ at new birth (because the mystery of marriage is the same as the Mystery of Christ and His Church). (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Hence, unfaithfulness and infidelity destroy the core of your oneness with your spouse. How can you be one with a harlot and stay as one with your spouse? That covenant has been broken, that portal of purity has been destroyed, and you can’t say to her, ‘Forgive me and get over it,’ because it’s beyond emotions, it’s beyond her. IT IS SPIRITUAL, AND YOU NEED TO REPENT AND BE FULLY RESTORED BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

A harlot is any woman/man who isn’t your spouse, with whom you become emotionally and physically involved sexually. It doesn’t matter if she/he is a sexual worker, a colleague at work, a friend, an acquaintance or another person’s spouse. By the sexual involvement, you have broken the Covenant between you and God and between you and your spouse, and you must seek to restore both for your life and union to be fully restored.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

The consequences of infidelity begin with your spiritual disconnect from God (this is not God departing from you, but it has become your choice to depart from God and be joined to a harlot). This sin will find you out and position you for devastation.

When a man breaks the covenant through adultery, he becomes a prey to the enemy because he has opened a strange portal into his life, and the enemy is sure to ravage. He may blame his spouse for it, but he would bear the result of joining himself to the strange spirit of a harlot; the same goes for the woman if she gets involved in adultery (it is a sin which destroys the spirit, soul and body of a person). Until this sin is dealt with, it destroys the lives of those involved, especially as believers in Christ Jesus.

The consequence of adultery also extends to the couple and their union, as it destroys the bond they share. Distrust is built, and the Covenant is polluted. From it would stem every complication in their union, because the bedrock of holy matrimony (faithfulness to the other) has been destroyed.

Beyond the couple, the consequence of adultery affects the children, the extended family, and even the community.

Proverbs 6:32 warns,

“He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.”

The emotional and spiritual fallout can be devastating, leading to broken families and shattered lives, yet in the midst of this, the Lord continues to call you to return.

No, don’t place the blame on your spouse. Come forward and admit your sin, lay it bare before the Lord, repent of it, seek restitution, seek restoration, and seek professional Christ-centred help from a trained Christian professional who can help you navigate your way to restoration and who can help your marriage and family heal.

It’s a tough road to be on. Sometimes the affected spouse may not be willing to proceed with the marriage. If this is the case and children are involved, a lot is at stake, and you must be prepared for it.

Either way, God’s loving kindness continues to call out to you, saying,

“Come to me, repent of your sin, confess them to me, for I am faithful and just to forgive you your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness”

1John 1:9