Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. – I Corinthians 6:18, NLT
When talking about adultery, I would like to use a metaphor. Think of a marriage as a house. The adulterous spouse has set fire to that house by committing adultery and lying.
The house is ablaze.
Now, how do you respond to this fire and the fact that your friend–the faithful spouse–is in that blazing house?
Some Christians think it is appropriate at this time to lecture the friend about her housekeeping.
Other Christians think this is the perfect time and setting to hold communication building seminars.
The wise and sane friends respond in two ways:
1. They take steps to put out the fire–i.e. confront the cheater to end the infidelity and lies.
2. They tell the faithful spouse to flee the burning house–i.e. divorce the cheater.
Damage is done whatever option is taken. Some fires have been burning too long to save the “house.”
And even if the faithful spouse stays with the fire being doused. The sane friend realizes you address the fire-damage first. Dusting and who does the dishes conversations ought to take a back seat to this restoration work.
Furthermore, a truly sorry arsonist is the one who does the restoration work. He or she does not jump to complaining about how their victim is not doing “their fair share,” too.
It is as simple as that. Yet, Christian leaders too often fail to see it this way.
They either dither while the “house” burns down around the faithful spouse and/or expect the faithful spouse to focus on “dish duty” while letting the “arsonist” off easy.
