Porn, Personals, and Lying. What should I do in this Trial Separation?

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Fighter123

Junior Member
Jul 20, 2016
10
0
1
#1
I really need some christian advice for my marriage. I really would like some male perspectives with some honesty too. Do most men, even christian men, watch porn? Is this supposed to be ok to the wife even if the man is doing it to the point that he is dabbling in things he shouldn't be, like browsing personals just to "read" the ads. Where is the line? I know it may seem silly to some, but the more I read about it, the more I realize just how addicted men are to this stuff, even christian men. Is this like a thing we women just need to except or expect?

My husband is heavy into it and lies about it all of the time for many years to me until I find it. I always forgive him until recently I found he was looking at personals. He admitted finally he has a problem but swears he never intended to cheat and just likes reading the ads I guess. He also lies easily to me and that scares me. He struggles with giving in easily to temptation and has before in regards to drinking and recreational drugs. He always resorts to lying unless he gets caught.

Finally I decided to ask for a trial separation and I am so torn on what God wants for me to do. Am I supposed to stay after all of the lies and hurt since he has finally admitted he has a problem and is going to get help? I just feel my trust is damaged and will never be restored. And although he says he loves me and wants to work on himself and his relationship with God, I feel like he should be doing more in regards to winning back my heart. He is just so passive at times I wonder if he can truly love me the way I feel I deserve. I am trying to be a good christian wife, but I feel so cheated and my confidence is going down the drain.

I struggle with the guilt of leaving him when he is finally trying to turn his heart to God (which I have been trying to get him to do for a while now), but is it going to be enough? My parents are still together and my mom has put up with my dads cheating adulterous habits, lying, and drug and alcohol abuse for almost 30 years and she is miserable and they are not in love. But I think my mom tells herself that God does not want her to get divorced and to constantly try and save my dad and their marriage. He even goes to church sometimes too. I fear of heading down that same path as my parents. My husband is not as bad and does not have the exact same issues as my Dad, but it is still way too close to home and I know these things can spiral with time, obviously as my husband has spiraled in many ways already.

I feel so cheated by the men in my life. I know I have God and always will, but I am wondering what I am supposed to do about this. One minute I feel God is telling me to wait and work towards restoring the marriage, while the other I wonder if he is trying to tell me to not walk the same path as my mom and that he has something better for me if I break free. Or do practically all christian men watch porn and stuff and I would just be leaving one for the next. I am very sensitive right now, so please only those who have experience in this or genuinely want to help. Thank you.
 
Dec 1, 2014
9,701
252
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#2
Dabbling? Browsing personals? What's up with that?
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
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#3
Truthfully? There is very little you can do about something like this. It is HIM who has to want to do something.
 

jsr1221

Senior Member
Jul 7, 2013
4,265
77
48
#4
I really need some christian advice for my marriage. I really would like some male perspectives with some honesty too. Do most men, even christian men, watch porn? Is this supposed to be ok to the wife even if the man is doing it to the point that he is dabbling in things he shouldn't be, like browsing personals just to "read" the ads. Where is the line? I know it may seem silly to some, but the more I read about it, the more I realize just how addicted men are to this stuff, even christian men. Is this like a thing we women just need to except or expect?

My husband is heavy into it and lies about it all of the time for many years to me until I find it. I always forgive him until recently I found he was looking at personals. He admitted finally he has a problem but swears he never intended to cheat and just likes reading the ads I guess. He also lies easily to me and that scares me. He struggles with giving in easily to temptation and has before in regards to drinking and recreational drugs. He always resorts to lying unless he gets caught.

Finally I decided to ask for a trial separation and I am so torn on what God wants for me to do. Am I supposed to stay after all of the lies and hurt since he has finally admitted he has a problem and is going to get help? I just feel my trust is damaged and will never be restored. And although he says he loves me and wants to work on himself and his relationship with God, I feel like he should be doing more in regards to winning back my heart. He is just so passive at times I wonder if he can truly love me the way I feel I deserve. I am trying to be a good christian wife, but I feel so cheated and my confidence is going down the drain.

I struggle with the guilt of leaving him when he is finally trying to turn his heart to God (which I have been trying to get him to do for a while now), but is it going to be enough? My parents are still together and my mom has put up with my dads cheating adulterous habits, lying, and drug and alcohol abuse for almost 30 years and she is miserable and they are not in love. But I think my mom tells herself that God does not want her to get divorced and to constantly try and save my dad and their marriage. He even goes to church sometimes too. I fear of heading down that same path as my parents. My husband is not as bad and does not have the exact same issues as my Dad, but it is still way too close to home and I know these things can spiral with time, obviously as my husband has spiraled in many ways already.

I feel so cheated by the men in my life. I know I have God and always will, but I am wondering what I am supposed to do about this. One minute I feel God is telling me to wait and work towards restoring the marriage, while the other I wonder if he is trying to tell me to not walk the same path as my mom and that he has something better for me if I break free. Or do practically all christian men watch porn and stuff and I would just be leaving one for the next. I am very sensitive right now, so please only those who have experience in this or genuinely want to help. Thank you.
More often than not, men do struggle with it. As for lying, it's no different than any other lie. It's due to embarrassment. As far as your situation, you can't change him. Ask him to get help as you're separated, and pray for Christ's healing.
 

Fighter123

Junior Member
Jul 20, 2016
10
0
1
#5
I don't know, Utah. I t kills me. He finally admits he has an issue, and is going to see a counselor to work on it. This is something he has never done before. He says he doesn't know why he likes reading the ads, but that he has never engaged in them and never would. The problem is that he has lied to me so much, how can I know the truth? I am NOT perfect, but my heart is his and I would NEVER do something like this to him. I try to be so loyal to the point I feel like what good does it do only to get taken for granted. Things seem to be falling apart in his life right now in a lot of ways, and I notice he is trying to turn his heart to God finally though it all. I am no stranger to struggle pushing me into Gods arms, this has happened to me a lot in my life. So I empathize and support him on his journey. But I am struggling with if we can have a truly happy marriage and if he can truly change. How long will it take? Look at my parents. So much has happened to my Dad...he almost died a few months ago from a major car accident while under the influence and I still feel like although he is trying, it is not enough. I am damaged by my parents marriage and want to make sure I do the right thing in mine. I want to do right by God.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,949
9,699
113
#6
If he's browsing personal ads, it's a given that he intends to hook up with somebody and have sex. Otherwise he'd have absolutely no reason to even look at them. He has a HUGE addiction to porn and sex, that's rather obvious. Stop enabling him by putting up with it time after time. This has been going on for several years? And he lies constantly about it? Put your foot down and tell him that you can't keep going through this malarkey. Otherwise you'll be stuck in an endless cycle for the rest of your life. God ALWAYS uses divorce to bring something better into a person's life, so if you've had enough of being used, lied to and (possibly) cheated on, then that's your way out. Hubby will only change if he WANTS to change. God won't do it for him. And neither can you. I think he needs major counseling for his addiction, and you need to stop letting yourself be made a fool of, over and over again.
 

Fighter123

Junior Member
Jul 20, 2016
10
0
1
#7
That is what I have been doing. I just struggle with my emotions and have a hard time knowing what is Gods will and what is just fear. Fear of being alone, or fear of whatever. I will continue to pray and connect with other Christians and seek counsel, and I just hope God will give me this light bulb moment when it is all clear. This in between phase is just brutal. Thank you.
 
U

Ultimatum77

Guest
#8
No Christian man who calls himself one should be watching porn. Do men fail? Yes but there is no excuse.....especially when you're married to a woman you committed to. Men will use excuse of "it's my relaxation technique/hobby/ "I have needs" blah blah...its sin. Jesus said to look at a woman with lust is to commit adultery with her in your heart.

Porn reduces a woman to meat / very superficially. It degrades those who are married (the spouse/woman) by saying in effect that they are not enough to satisfy the man.

It is a spirit of lust/demon that needs to be cast out by prayer on your part. You need to actively pray for your husband to renew his mind and soul. Try putting a cross next to the computer so when he's watching whatever filth he sees the cross and is reminded that his sins nailed Jesus to the cross and that he is in effect driving the nails deeper. ( I know it's not Biblical per se but the thought that you are killing Jesus willingly/driving the nails in may convict some of sin sometimes.)

Get a tech savy person to install an adblocker/ website blocker on your computers to dissuade him from watching crap.

Point out that his behavior is very childish for a grown married man with a family to be looking at another person's genitals....it is very immature and shows a lack of self-control/restraint.

The best you can do is pray....ultimately it is up to the person to want/desire deliverance from this bondage....if he doesn't he will be trapped in this sin until either God breaks him via some circumstance or he comes to his senses and realizes his error.

You shouldn't tolerate it and ask him if he loves porn more than you.....if he does then maybe you should seek for divorce if you've put up with it for several years with no change....if he says he loves you tell him he needs to commit to you and stop watching porn b/c you don't deserve to be 2nd in his heart to porn.
 

Fighter123

Junior Member
Jul 20, 2016
10
0
1
#9
Lady Blue, trust me I know. That is why we are separated right now. Something I have NEVER done before. I am just in limbo waiting to see if he does in fact make the changes. I just worry that even if he does, the path to salvage is going to be too hard. But the path to starting over will be too. Either way I am in for a long road of healing. I am just wondering which is the one God wants for me to travel. Only time will tell I guess.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,732
17,196
113
70
Tennessee
#10
I don't know of any Christian men who watch porn. It is totally inappropriate for your husband to be browsing personal ads. This type of behavior is degrading to you and is undermining your marriage.

I would go ahead with the separation. Perhaps, that will be a wake-up call for your husband get right with God and to stay away from the trash that is damaging to you as his wife. If there is no evidence that he wants to be a faithful and loving husband to you I would start planning to move forward with your life without him.

Who needs all of that mental anguish and drama?
 

Fighter123

Junior Member
Jul 20, 2016
10
0
1
#11
Good advice Ultimatum77. I already did the adblocker thing. The cross thing is a good idea. Everything you are saying I should say...I have now. And he wants to change, I do feel that is true, but wanting to and going to are different things. I will continue to pray and let God work in him, and me as well. Thank you.
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#12
I don't know of any Christian men who watch porn. It is totally inappropriate for your husband to be browsing personal ads. This type of behavior is degrading to you and is undermining your marriage.

I would go ahead with the separation. Perhaps, that will be a wake-up call for your husband get right with God and to stay away from the trash that is damaging to you as his wife. If there is no evidence that he wants to be a faithful and loving husband to you I would start planning to move forward with your life without him.

Who needs all of that mental anguish and drama?
Actually, Jerry, it has been my experience that more Christian men are into porn than non Christian. If you think about this for a minute or two, I believe you can tell yourself why.
 
U

Ultimatum77

Guest
#13
Good advice Ultimatum77. I already did the adblocker thing. The cross thing is a good idea. Everything you are saying I should say...I have now. And he wants to change, I do feel that is true, but wanting to and going to are different things. I will continue to pray and let God work in him, and me as well. Thank you.
Maybe also post some Bible verses around your computer/even desktop wallpaper....

[h=1]Psalm 101:3King James Version (KJV)[/h][FONT=&quot]3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

The only way to clean up his mind is the word of God and casting down his vain imaginations/dirty thoughts.....the Bible is good at bleaching the mind and soul! May the Lord restore your marriage and your man to a vessel of honour in God's hands.[/FONT]
 
U

Ultimatum77

Guest
#14
Actually, Jerry, it has been my experience that more Christian men are into porn than non Christian. If you think about this for a minute or two, I believe you can tell yourself why.
Other than plain lust I don't know any other reason? The statistics show 75-80% of pastors even watch it with the flock around 85% watching it....this is a dark scourge on the Church and also part of the reason God doesn't move in modern churches b/c of this hidden sin hindering the blessings.
 

Fighter123

Junior Member
Jul 20, 2016
10
0
1
#15
Willie-T, they did a study recently that proved what you are saying to be true! It is a huge reason why I am so torn on leaving him for good because leaving him and eventually finding a "good" christian man doesn't necessarily make me immune to this same type of hurt again. A lot of christian men do struggle with it apparently. Here is the link to the article talking about it:

Shocker: Study Shows Most Christian Men Are Into Porn — Charisma News
 

Dan58

Senior Member
Nov 13, 2013
1,991
339
83
#16
Technically, your husband hasn't cheated... I think your over-reacting. You wrote; "My trust is damaged and will never be restored". Why? He hasn't cheated.

You also wrote; "I feel like he should be doing more in regards to winning back my heart". You left him, he didn't leave you.
You obviously don't approve of the material he's reading and looking at, but it sounds like you've over-blown the problem to be much worse than it is. You've just made his bad habit all about you. Your trust is damaged, your heart needs to be won back? No, he just needs to stop looking at porn. jmo
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#17
Willie-T, they did a study recently that proved what you are saying to be true! It is a huge reason why I am so torn on leaving him for good because leaving him and eventually finding a "good" christian man doesn't necessarily make me immune to this same type of hurt again. A lot of christian men do struggle with it apparently. Here is the link to the article talking about it:

Shocker: Study Shows Most Christian Men Are Into Porn — Charisma News
I sent you a link by Private Mail. See if you can get him to at least read it.
 

Fighter123

Junior Member
Jul 20, 2016
10
0
1
#18
After reading this article, it makes me feel like ever finding or having a truly faithful man who loves God would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#19
Technically, your husband hasn't cheated... I think your over-reacting. You wrote; "My trust is damaged and will never be restored". Why? He hasn't cheated.

You also wrote; "I feel like he should be doing more in regards to winning back my heart". You left him, he didn't leave you.
You obviously don't approve of the material he's reading and looking at, but it sounds like you've over-blown the problem to be much worse than it is. You've just made his bad habit all about you. Your trust is damaged, your heart needs to be won back? No, he just needs to stop looking at porn. jmo
No, Dan, this is cheating, pure and simple. To say it isn't is to want to be Bill Clinton.
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#20
Willie-T, they did a study recently that proved what you are saying to be true! It is a huge reason why I am so torn on leaving him for good because leaving him and eventually finding a "good" christian man doesn't necessarily make me immune to this same type of hurt again. A lot of christian men do struggle with it apparently. Here is the link to the article talking about it:

Shocker: Study Shows Most Christian Men Are Into Porn — Charisma News
Unfortunately, this is not news. Those of us who work in this field have known this for decades.