DM,

I really appreciate your blog, and I’m so glad I found it. You are a voice of reason in a wilderness of bad theology. You’d think people, including pastors, don’t actually read the Bible anymore.

My question for you concerns other consequences that arise from adultery even though it was never properly addressed when it first happened (i.e. rugswept, no divorce, etc.) God says He will judge the immoral and adulterous. Have you seen or do you know of evidence of God’s judgement on the physical lives of unrepentant cheaters?

The reason I ask is I think my wayward wife has suffered consequences physically through the ensuing years. She has had a series of accidents that destroyed her ability to partake in an activity that she enjoyed very much. Of course, my viewing it that way could certainly be out of a sense of justice being done. This is just a question that has been rolling around in my head for a while now.

-Solidcore

Dear Solidcore,

I am so glad you found your way onto my “digital shore.” It is encouraging to hear that this blog continues to minister to those in need.

This blog is closing in on six years of existence. I can say with confidence from comments like yours (and many others) that we still have a long way to go before pastors consistently treat adultery seriously and support faithful spouses better. So, I blog on 😉

You wrote,

My question for you concerns other consequences that arise from adultery even though it was never properly addressed when it first happened (i.e. rugswept, no divorce, etc.) God says He will judge the immoral and adulterous. Have you seen or do you know of evidence of God’s judgement on the physical lives of unrepentant cheaters?

To begin, I agree with you and sincerely believe God brings judgment on cheaters–whether in this life or another (Hebrews 13:4). One of those judgments is having to live with themselves after such a treacherous, evil betrayal. They can never escape this and must somehow deal with it (either by lying to themselves or repenting–thereby opening the door to mercy and forgiveness).

Have I seen or known of God’s physical judgment on cheaters?

Not really.

I do believe that is in the realm of possibility, though. In one particularly chilling episode, I remember an advisor to my (now) ex-wife dying suddenly. My parents had been praying for God to remove ungodly counsel from my (now) ex-wife’s life.

That said, one could extrapolate all sorts of physical judgment from the conditions cheaters experience. Those that are trying to harmonize their conscience with their actions are a tortured group. That could manifest in all sorts of physical ills (expressing the underlying spiritual illness).

Do I think your wife is experiencing such physical judgment from God?

Possibly, only God really knows.

I fall back on faith in these moments. We have experienced incredible levels of injustice and abuse as faithful spouses. God sees this.

A sound understanding of God’s character is that He is both good and just. This means these injustices will be dealt with in one way or another. Plus, it means we can give these injustices to God, because He is good and worthy of trust.

Because we know the living good and just God, we do not have to figure out whether or not our cheater is currently experiencing punishment for their sins. We can entrust them to God, and then we can go forth living our lives.

Blessings,

Pastor David (aka Divorce Minister)