Taboo – When Friends Cheat is an encouragement for those of us who are friends of the couple going through adultery. A couple struggling through the aftermath of adultery isn’t fun to be around. This is where that couple needs a friend. That couple needs you. Each party is a little different. Sometimes the victim needs a rebuke. Sometimes the cheater needs a gracious hand. This will be a two-year marathon that you never trained for. Christian friend, this couple needs you.
The Victim
Is your identity wrapped up in your family? What about being a cute couple? That was shattered the moment you were cheated on. Your world was broken. That doesn’t mean that you lost everything. Your identity is Jesus. You are a Christian. That means you’re a little Christ. There is nothing wrong with you. God chose you even though your spouse didn’t. This is the message that your victim friend needs to hear. You could probably guess that. One tid bit that you might not consider is that there may need to be a rebuke. Why? The author told the story of a woman who looked back on the two year recovery. She wrestled with vengeance, hatred, and pride. She needed her closest friends to say, “We love you, but you need to stop that.”
The Cheater
Does God actually love the cheater? Jesus ate with sinners. Jesus loved sinners. That doesn’t mean they were fun to be around. That doesn’t mean they were likable people. Jesus ate with sinners because he loved them. That is why you love your friend who hurt his or her spouse and in the process, hurt you too. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to communicate that love to the cheater. How? Click HERE to find a list of 31 passages – one for everyday of the week.
Want to hear more? Watch this week’s study from our series on marriage, Taboo – When Friends Cheat.
Please click HERE for the Bible class slides.