Adultery is not a symptom but the disease.
It is sin.
-Adultery is not a cry for help.
-Adultery is not a symptom of a bad relationship.
-Adultery is not a mercy blow to a miserable marriage (as if the adulterer is “taking one for the team.”)
No, no, no, NO!
Adultery is sin.
Period.
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” -Exodus 20:14, KJV
Sin.
As in a transgression against God that Jesus had to die for.
Sin.
Sin.
I have no doubt someone can find marital problems in any marriage if they dig hard enough. That is not the point!
Every marriage has marital problems because every marriage is made up of two sinners.
So, how are faithful followers to approach a situation where adultery is present?
Scripture does not instruct pastors and priests to investigate the circumstances around the confirmed adultery. Scripture instructs pastors and priests to either execute justice (i.e. stone the adulterer and adulteress to death!) OR call the adulterer/adulteress to repentance.
Since the first–I am pretty sure–is illegal, let’s start with the second response–i.e. call the cheater to repentance.
Brothers and sisters, we are ministers of Christ, not psychologists. We were called to be priests.
Let us drink deeply of the clear waters of His Word. And may we offer counsel with the clarity that comes from such refreshing of our minds and spirits.
*Continuation in any sin (not just adultery) knowingly without repentance leads to damnation (see Hebrews 10:26-27 and I John 3:6).
+A version of this post ran previously.
Well said!