So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

-Matthew 19:6a, NIV

The cheater approaching the affair as “self-care” or something “finally, for ME!” is self-deceived.

You cannot sin against the marriage without also sinning against yourself. This is what the Judeo-Christian concept of marriage teaches us. The marriage partners are ONE.

An affair certainly is harmful for the faithful spouse (see here). It causes a fracture in the closest of human relationships. This is anything BUT a health-producing act.

Adultery is damaging to all involved.

The cheater does not just break faith with his spouse; he also breaks faith with himself. Adultery fractures the cheater’s integrity…deeply.

This means…

Affairs are self-harm, NOT self-care!!!

 

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*A version of this post ran previously.