I Didn’t Know Adultery Is This Terrible|10 Ugly Consequences Of Cheating

My wife and I are making seven years in marriage this year but I don’t recall anyone warning me about the full dangers of adultery or cheating.

On the contrary, I recall a Muslim neighbour who told me that women tend to make children love them more when they’re older, and the man is left alone, so I needed to get a younger wife to prevent that.

When I began watching a show of people caught cheating and the shock and pain I saw on their faces, that’s when it dawned on me that cheating is indeed the worst betrayal a human being can experience.

All I knew was don’t commit adultery. God has kept me by His grace, though the WHY behind the commandment didn’t make sense.

In the Old Testament, adultery was a death sentence for both the man and woman. (Leviticus 20:10. Read also Proverbs 6:30-35)

Remember David, after committing adultery and murder, He repented and God forgave him. But he experienced the consequences of his actions four times over as declared on himself without knowing. (2 Samuel 12:6)

His four sons died young because of adultery with Bathsheba.

The first-born son of Bathsheba died after birth.

Amnon died at the hands of Absalom as revenge for raping Tamar.

Absalom slept with his father’s concubines and later died in battle while rebelling against his father.

And finally, Solomon ordered the killing of Adonijah for conspiring to replace him as king.

Later, God was gracious to allow his son Solomon with Bathsheba to become the next king of Israel. That shows us God’s willingness to restore those who repent and forsake their evil ways.

Now to the 10 ugly consequences and complications of cheating;

#1: An Adulterer Will Pay

They’ll pay for their sin, perhaps here on earth and for sure on Judgment Day. (Revelations 20:12-13)

Nothing is worse for a human soul than to be separated from God’s presence.

“⁷ Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.

⁸ Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.”  Galatians 6:7-8

Thousands have paid with their lives when cheating went wrong. Once in a while, the news is awash with people who died during cheating escapades.

Sadly, all cheats think it’ll never happen to them.

#2: Cheating Shows Someone Lacks Good Judgement

It’s funny how people who cheat think they’re so smart they won’t get caught.

When the idea of cheating crosses someone’s mind and they give in to it, common sense evaporates. They begin taking steps that are so stupid in hindsight.

“I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.” Ecclesiastes 7:26

Many times people who cheat think people out there don’t know what’s happening. But often, the person they’re cheating with exposes them without their knowledge.

A cheat walks on the street, may hold a position of power in a community, company or country and may even condemn adultery in public but not realize that the news of their cheating goes ahead of them wherever they go. (Perhaps someone who is cheating comes to mind. Share with them this article.)

And usually, no one will inform or confront them about it. They’re like a mad man walking naked without knowing!

How can you trust a person who allows you to cheat on your spouse? If they don’t see anything wrong with sleeping with you, what other things can they do without feeling ashamed?

Believe me, they can do anything.

“An adulterous woman consumes a man,
then wipes her mouth and says, “What’s wrong with that?” Proverbs 30:20

#3: A Cheat Destroys Self

They defile their body, lose their peace of mind and sell their soul.

It’s unwise to chew on a poisoned piece of bread just because one is hungry.

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” Proverbs 14:12

#4: Cheats Get Bloody Blows

The first blows come from their spouse when they’re caught.

Satan gets a foothold to attack and oppress them and their families.

And oftentimes, other blows come from God who loves the cheat and disciplines them for their good. (Hebrews 12:1-13)

#5: Shame & Loss Of Moral Authority

Cheating destroys courage, confidence and authority to speak up against sexual immorality and other sins in the family, church and community.

Only a righteous person can have the boldness of a lion against sin, Satan and the wicked. (Proverbs 28:1)

#6: Cheating Leads To Poverty

Money is usually involved in cheating because someone must finance the affair and pay for cover-ups.

People have lost jobs, collapsed their businesses and sold properties because of the illicit pleasure of adultery.

Cheating is an expensive affair.

“The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.”  Proverbs 29:3

“For a prostitute will bring you to poverty,
but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life.” Proverbs 6:26

#7: The Fury Of Revenge

When someone is cheated on, no one can predict their reaction.

Before you cheat on someone or get involved with someone who is cheating, think thrice – you, your spouse and the third person.

It might be the end of your life as you know it.

“⁶Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before.” 1 Thessalonians 4:6

#8: Adultery Is A License For Automatic Separation & Divorce

Cheating breaks the trust, love and sexual intimacy that bonds and binds two to become one. (Matthew 5:31-32)

In the next article, we shall talk about what to do when cheating happens.

#9: Your Worship & Prayers Are Unacceptable Before God

“Here is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure.

You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?”

I’ll tell you why!

Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.” Malachi 2:13-14

That means a person who cheats and yet serves, gives and fasts in church is doing nothing. Because they lack love, all they do is in vain and detestable before God. That’s sad!

And when they stand before Christ on Judgment Day, He will say,

“I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.” Matthew 7:23

#10: Children Become Victims When Cheating Is Exposed

The consequences of adultery force children to take sides with one parent.

They’re emotionally wounded as they witness the conflict between their parents, and this lays a shaky foundation for their future love relationships.

Is cheating worth it, really?

“³ For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,
and her mouth is smoother than oil.
⁴ But in the end she is as bitter as poison,
as dangerous as a double-edged sword.
⁵ Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
⁶ For she cares nothing about the path to life.
She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it.” Proverbs 5:3-6

It feels nice to flirt, flatter, fondle and fornicate with someone other than a spouse but the bitter pill of the consequences of cheating wipes out all the pleasures and leaves a sour taste for the rest of one’s life.

The article 11 Reasons Why Sex Is So Powerful|And Almost Irresistible is the most popular article on this website. If sexuality is an area you struggle with, please read our articles under the Sexual Purity category as you strive to overcome sexual temptations and live a sexually pure life.

Thank you for reading this article. I welcome your comments and questions below – as iron sharpens iron, let’s sharpen each other.

 “Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (John 13:17, James 4:17)

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