Hey Everyone,
Just something I've been thinking about lately: if a person cheats, are they more likely to cheat again? How likely is it for someone with a history of cheating to change and not cheat the next time? Does it depend on the level of cheating--for example, if someone is hooking up with someone on the internet, through Facebook, texts, etc. but not in person, are they more likely to stop/remain faithful than someone who physically cheats?
And what about emotional cheating? If a person forms a close emotional bond with another besides their spouse or significant other... How likely are they to come to repentance and faithfulness after straying from the path? Many people do not even feel this is cheating.
Now, I am NOT talking about God's power of transformation--OF COURSE GOD CAN TRANSFORM AND CHANGE A PERSON'S HEART. But we all know that most likely, the process will not be POOF!!! and now the person is automatically remorseful, repentant, and faithful. Many who cheat are only sorry they got caught, with no regard to the fact that they devastated another person or their families... not that the cheating person isn't someone who is hurting as well.
However, I personally suspect that when someone initially toys with the idea of cheating, it's a tough tug-of-war within their heart and soul. But once they DO decide to cross the line... it becomes a little easier to keep going over it. At least, this seems to be what I've heard so many times, as I have watched many friends go through the cycle of finding out their spouse is cheating... then hey, they've reconciled... they're back together... they're trying to "work things out"... they're talking to their pastor... they're in couples counseling... and then no, their significant other is cheating... again... and what little was there to be rebuilt is once again smashed to smithereens.
What about all of you who grew up with the pain of a parent or both who cheated on each other? From your perspective, how likely is the person to actually stop cheating? I would like to hear your stories and opinions of observance, experience, and coping.
For another up-close example, all you have to do is look at God's OT relationship with His people, as they cheated... again, and again, and again. God is all-powerful, but He allows human will to choose what it chooses. God could have transformed them all to never cheat on Him again, but they chose to keep doing so... as we all do, repeatedly, in our own ways. Is it just human nature? Yes, we all sin... but where do we draw the line between someone who made a mistake, and someone who will not change?
Would you begin a relationship with someone who has cheated on their significant other or spouse? Why or why not? Where, for you, is the line between sincere repentance and renewed living vs. a habitual sin that a person keeps going back to? (Like drinking too much or drug addiction.)
I am really interested in what other Christians believe about this pressing subject, as I'm seeing so many people dealing with it in their everyday lives (including, of course, within the church.)
P.S. The poll is anonymous and multiple choice, so feel free to give your most honest answers.
Just something I've been thinking about lately: if a person cheats, are they more likely to cheat again? How likely is it for someone with a history of cheating to change and not cheat the next time? Does it depend on the level of cheating--for example, if someone is hooking up with someone on the internet, through Facebook, texts, etc. but not in person, are they more likely to stop/remain faithful than someone who physically cheats?
And what about emotional cheating? If a person forms a close emotional bond with another besides their spouse or significant other... How likely are they to come to repentance and faithfulness after straying from the path? Many people do not even feel this is cheating.
Now, I am NOT talking about God's power of transformation--OF COURSE GOD CAN TRANSFORM AND CHANGE A PERSON'S HEART. But we all know that most likely, the process will not be POOF!!! and now the person is automatically remorseful, repentant, and faithful. Many who cheat are only sorry they got caught, with no regard to the fact that they devastated another person or their families... not that the cheating person isn't someone who is hurting as well.
However, I personally suspect that when someone initially toys with the idea of cheating, it's a tough tug-of-war within their heart and soul. But once they DO decide to cross the line... it becomes a little easier to keep going over it. At least, this seems to be what I've heard so many times, as I have watched many friends go through the cycle of finding out their spouse is cheating... then hey, they've reconciled... they're back together... they're trying to "work things out"... they're talking to their pastor... they're in couples counseling... and then no, their significant other is cheating... again... and what little was there to be rebuilt is once again smashed to smithereens.
What about all of you who grew up with the pain of a parent or both who cheated on each other? From your perspective, how likely is the person to actually stop cheating? I would like to hear your stories and opinions of observance, experience, and coping.
For another up-close example, all you have to do is look at God's OT relationship with His people, as they cheated... again, and again, and again. God is all-powerful, but He allows human will to choose what it chooses. God could have transformed them all to never cheat on Him again, but they chose to keep doing so... as we all do, repeatedly, in our own ways. Is it just human nature? Yes, we all sin... but where do we draw the line between someone who made a mistake, and someone who will not change?
Would you begin a relationship with someone who has cheated on their significant other or spouse? Why or why not? Where, for you, is the line between sincere repentance and renewed living vs. a habitual sin that a person keeps going back to? (Like drinking too much or drug addiction.)
I am really interested in what other Christians believe about this pressing subject, as I'm seeing so many people dealing with it in their everyday lives (including, of course, within the church.)
P.S. The poll is anonymous and multiple choice, so feel free to give your most honest answers.
