For lack of discipline they will die,
led astray by their own great folly.-Proverbs 5:23, NIV
…but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
-James 1:14, NIV
The proverb quoted above comes at the end of a chapter where the wise teacher is giving instruction to the simple about avoiding an adulteress. It is stern warning to all who are foolish enough to give into adulterous temptation.
Notice that the author does not blame the faithful spouse for the simpleton committing adultery.
It is upon the simpleton for making such a foolish choice. The state of the marriage he defiled has nothing to do with it!
A cheater is not led astray because of outside circumstances. They are led astray by “their own great folly,” “lack of discipline,” and “their own evil desire” to quote Scripture.
Do you see lack of spousal attention in that list?
How about poor communication skills?
What about “lack” of money?
“Boring” sex? Not frequent enough sex?
Or how about a generally “unhappy” marriage?
Are any of those cited as the cause of adultery–i.e. what leads a cheater astray?
No, they are not.
The cause is not external to the cheater. It is a matter of a character deficit in the cheater. The marriage circumstances do not produce cheaters per Scripture; cheaters are produced out of the folly and evil in their own hearts!
