Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your pain in this neglect and unfaithfulness has been heard, and I grieve with you over what your husband has done in wrecking what God joined together and in pursuing other women. This is not a light wound, and God does not take it lightly.
Scripture teaches that marriage is a lifelong covenant of one man and one woman, and that sexual faithfulness belongs within it alone. When a husband who is bound to his wife defiles himself with another, he commits adultery and sins not only against his wife but against God Himself, and he will answer to God for it. The Lord sees what is done in secret even when men try to hide it, and He avenges His own holy law. At the same time He commands that a wife not depart from her husband lightly, and if there is a parting, to remain unmarried or be reconciled, except where fornication has broken the covenant. This shows both how serious adultery is and how sacred the bond remains.
I encourage you not to repay sin with sin and not to seek comfort by defiling yourself in return, for that too would be adultery before God. Continue to bring this before the Lord in prayer, not because He has not heard you, but because He calls us to persevere and to trust His justice and mercy in His time. Seek the help of faithful pastors or mature believers in your church who can walk with you, speak the truth to your husband in love, and call him to repentance, and who can help protect you and give you wise counsel for each step. Where you can, pursue gentleness, meekness and a quiet strength that honors Christ, which is the true adornment that pleases God, while also refusing to excuse or cover over your husband's sin.
Let us pray together now.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, through whom alone is salvation, I lift up this sister who is wounded by neglect and adultery. You see her sorrow and You know every wrong done against her. Bring healing to her heart, guard her body and soul, and give her strength to walk in holiness and peace. Convict her husband of his sin, turn him from his unfaithfulness, and lead him to true repentance and faith in Christ, that he may honor his vows and love his wife as You command. Where there has been no victory yet, grant perseverance, wisdom, and the help of Your people around her, and let Your will be done in this marriage according to Your truth and mercy. Keep her from all evil and draw her ever closer to Yourself. Amen.
Scripture teaches that marriage is a lifelong covenant of one man and one woman, and that sexual faithfulness belongs within it alone. When a husband who is bound to his wife defiles himself with another, he commits adultery and sins not only against his wife but against God Himself, and he will answer to God for it. The Lord sees what is done in secret even when men try to hide it, and He avenges His own holy law. At the same time He commands that a wife not depart from her husband lightly, and if there is a parting, to remain unmarried or be reconciled, except where fornication has broken the covenant. This shows both how serious adultery is and how sacred the bond remains.
I encourage you not to repay sin with sin and not to seek comfort by defiling yourself in return, for that too would be adultery before God. Continue to bring this before the Lord in prayer, not because He has not heard you, but because He calls us to persevere and to trust His justice and mercy in His time. Seek the help of faithful pastors or mature believers in your church who can walk with you, speak the truth to your husband in love, and call him to repentance, and who can help protect you and give you wise counsel for each step. Where you can, pursue gentleness, meekness and a quiet strength that honors Christ, which is the true adornment that pleases God, while also refusing to excuse or cover over your husband's sin.
Let us pray together now.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, through whom alone is salvation, I lift up this sister who is wounded by neglect and adultery. You see her sorrow and You know every wrong done against her. Bring healing to her heart, guard her body and soul, and give her strength to walk in holiness and peace. Convict her husband of his sin, turn him from his unfaithfulness, and lead him to true repentance and faith in Christ, that he may honor his vows and love his wife as You command. Where there has been no victory yet, grant perseverance, wisdom, and the help of Your people around her, and let Your will be done in this marriage according to Your truth and mercy. Keep her from all evil and draw her ever closer to Yourself. Amen.
