Understanding Sexual Sin: Redemption And RestorationSample

RESTORING A MARRIAGE AFTER SEXUAL SIN

Unfortunately, sexual sin is never a purely private affair. It’s like a rock thrown into a placid pond, and the ripples it sets in motion affect a surprising number of the perpetrator's family members and friends. This is especially true where a spouse and children are concerned.

The good news is that, by God’s grace and with the right kind of professional assistance, you can turn an unfortunate slip into infidelity, adultery, promiscuity, or sexual addiction into a springboard to a better and stronger marriage and family.

To make the most of this opportunity, you, your spouse, and your kids need to commit to family counseling. The first item of business is to work through the issues in your marriage that led to the affair in the first place. A trained counselor can help examine your relationship and determine which areas need to be shored up. If you don’t submit to this part of the process, unresolved problems will only resurface later. Once you’ve dealt with these marital issues, it’s critical that your children join you in counseling. They too have emotional baggage to unpack, and it’s valuable to do this with the help of a qualified Christian family therapist.

Keep in mind that it often takes a long time to rebuild trust after an affair has occurred. That’s going to be true for your kids as well as your spouse. So be patient. As the process moves forward, you can show your good faith by joining an accountability group at a local church. Find some fellow Christians of the same sex with whom you can be open about your failings and temptations. Ask them to hold you accountable to your renewed commitment to your family. It’s impossible to overestimate the value of this kind of experience.

For more help, visit Pure Intimacy or Focus on the Family’s main website. You can also call the ministry’s Counseling Department for a free consultation at 855-771-HELP (4357).