Christian Perspective on Effects of Marital Infidelity on Children

Christian Perspective on Effects of Marital Infidelity on Children: In an ideal situation, infidelity and the accompanying consequences should not be the feature of a Christian home. Paul admonished believers in Ephesians 5:3 that “sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among the saints.” In verse 12 of the same chapter, he said, “For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.”

In other words, the people of the world can afford to engage in such perversions because they live in darkness. But believers, as children of light (1 Thessalonians 5:5) should be so purged of all filth from the hearts that evil of this nature is abhorrent to them. This is what Christ intended His church to look like – “without a spot or wrinkle or any other such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:7).

 Unfortunately, what obtains right now is symptomatic of the Parable of the Net in Matthew 13:47-50, where the Kingdom of heaven was likened to a net that was let down into the lake and caught of kinds of fish. Similarly, the Parable of the Weeds in Matthew 13:24-43 compared God’s Kingdom to a man who sowed good seeds in his farm, but the enemy took advantage of the slumber of his servants to sow tares among the wheat, which was the good seed.

Today, there are all sorts of “Christians,” especially those in the “Progressive” fold. These “believers” preach the Gospel that portrays Jesus Christ as the “Minister of Sin” (Galatians 2:17). This is because they are permissive in their approach to sexual perversion, to the extent that they endorse lesbianism, homosexuality and same sex marriage.

If they could cross the line into such abominable acts, infidelity among straight married couples becomes a non-issue to them. The “Progressives” are not the only group of Christians who encourage marital infidelity. Many pastors, General Overseers, Apostles and others with grandiose titles in several institutional churches engage in extra-marital affairs. The social media is awash with stories of “men of God” who fell from grace due to such indiscretions.

What has barely received attention in both the secular or Christian dominated media is the impact of these sexual perversions on children of the couples involved. Even when the infidelity does not lead to divorce, there is bound to be consequences that could extend to innocent members of the family. One of the effects of infidelity on children from a Christian perspective is that they no longer see the marriage institution as honourable and something for them to admire or desire.

Consequently, such children may end up pursuing illicit affairs at tender age, or be promiscuous in their relationships with the opposite sex. Infidelity in a Christian family can also undermine the children’s faith in God and make them question His relevance in their lives.

Perhaps, more parents would think twice about engaging in extra-marital affairs if they truly love their children and want the best for them in life. Sadly, those who indulge in these sordid activities only care for their own “happiness,” regardless of the consequences and the impact on their children. Living in the moment is only applicable when we are being led by the Holy Spirit one-step at a time. A life influenced by the Spirit is eternity focused, rather than “happiness-centred.”

While a life of fixated on earthly pleasure could satisfy the desire for ecstasy momentarily, those engaging in extra-marital affairs may end up with sand in their mouths when their indiscretions become public knowledge. Then, they transit into a realm of regrets for their follies. They lose the respect of their families, especially their children. They also lay wrong foundations for their kids that could affect the course of their lives.