My life had become a nightmare. Practically overnight, since I'd admitted having an affair to my husband, I'd lost everything. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, and I couldn't get off the treadmill of fear, shame, and despair. The hours, days and weeks dragged on as I waited for the pain of colossal regret to subside.
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I was the last person anyone would have expected, including myself, to commit such a life-shattering sin. I'd been educated in a Christian school, memorized hundreds of scriptures, and had been involved in ministry for years. I had an earnest desire to please God, and I continuously sought to develop my personal relationship with Him. Having an affair, in my opinion, was one of the worst things a believer could do.
My experience taught me that no matter how sincere our faith or how pure our intentions, an affair can happen to any of us. None of us will ever reach a level of spiritual maturity where we can relax and trust our flesh. Scripture warns us that "the flesh is weak" (Mt. 26:41) and that Satan lies in wait to trip us up (1 Pet. 5:8). If King David, the "man after [God's] own heart" (1 Sam. 13:14), fell into adultery, can we consider ourselves immune to the temptation?
Fortunately, there are ways we can guard ourselves against an affair. The first step is to recognize the lies Satan plants in our minds that may propel us in that direction. Here are five falsehoods that Satan used to lead me down the path toward adultery ...and the truths that eventually set me free.
Source: Crosswalk.com
Julie Ferwerda is the author of The Perfect Fit: Piecing Together True Love, and has written for publications such as Marriage Partnership, Focus on the Family, and Discipleship Journal. Find out more: www.JulieFerwerda.com.
