By Not Known
One internet source entitled “World’s 10 Most Divorced Nations” cited Belgium on the top of the list with 71% of all marriages ending in a divorce. One of the most common grounds that the Belgian courts grant for divorce is ADULTERY. In Singapore, one in four marriages end up in a divorce. The top reason again… ADULTERY! A study on marital infidelity shows that “couples stay together despite the cheating.” 1 In other words, what divorce statistics reveal is only the tip of the “infidelity” iceberg.
Statistics aside, what does ADULTERY look like? How does it destroy marital relationship? How do we warn and admonish those who are tempted? How do we guard ourselves so that we do not fall into temptation as well? Proverbs warns of the TEMPTER’s tactics.
Adultery Lures! “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil…”(Prov 5:3) Words that flatter the ears easily invite TRUST. A sweet compliment along the office corridor and a gentle persuasion in the quiet pantry can potentially weaken one’s spiritual compass and disarm his or her moral defences. Who doesn’t like words that pamper the ego? It is almost proverbial that one who sweet-talks the ego wins the trust as well.
Adultery Arouses! “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes…” (Prov 6:25) When flattery has gained trust, one’s eyes are like windows that feed and fuel the heart’s DESIRE. From that moment, the heart rules the head. She will readily notice the colour of his tie – he who is not her husband. He will especially notice the shade of her lipstick – she who is not his wife. For the first time, they are (dangerously) attractive to each other.
“Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!” (Prov 7:18) Now that trust is won and desire stirred, simply call that feeling LOVE. Go on loving his ego with flattery; keep fuelling his desire with forbidden fruits that excite his insatiable desire.
Finally, ADULTERY Destroys! “Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.” (Prov 5:5; similarly 7:27) Let’s be careful what our ears choose to hear! Be careful what our eyes choose to see! Guard our hearts and minds against the TEMPTER’s snares. Don’t add to the divorce statistics. Don’t be a silent victim either. STOP ADULTERY today!
1 “Cheating brings pain but many don’t split up” by Theresa Tan, first published in The Straits Times on Oct 13, 2013.
Benson Goh