Tanisha Johnson
PACO 625 DB: Is It Cheating?
The issues and potential outcomes which may occur for each spouse if the acting spouse takes
the role maybe self-withdrawn from intimacy within the marriage, neglectful emotional behavior
towards the other spouse, lack of confidence in the strength of the martial union, mentally
removal of self in communicating to the other spouse, and separation. Now, if the acting doesn’t
take the role, then the potential outcomes could be of the opposite listed above. Also, while the
non-acting spouse may feel relief, the acting spouse could suffer some kind of resentment
towards the other spouse for not being able to take the role which can lead to negativity in the
marriage and defiled sexuality, if not communicated and resolved properly. The authors,
Hiestand &Wilson (2017) speak that “Sexuality becomes not away to relate deeply with another
in commitment but to express yourself. Covenant is erased with consent” (p. 75).
As a Pastoral counselor, in helping this couple, I would adequately implement tools and methods
which allow the couple to communicate his/her feelings to the other. Also, as the Pastoring
counselor, I would take the role of the middle ground by strictly leading through biblical based
scripture to help the couple to see, hear, and communicate God within their current issues as well
as positive outcomes. Lastly, allowing the couple to once again recite their martial vows which
was made before God, and go line by line in explaining what those vows meant concerning their
marriage covenant. The author, Jones (2015) reveals that “And we are a part of a church that
tends to elevate marriage as the epitome of a happy Christian life” (p. 69). Oftentimes, it is much
easier to allow the couple to physically and emotionally participate in the counseling sessions to
bring about the desired response and resolution which promotes a healthy marriage for the
couple.
In describing my thoughts of a spouse being physical intimate and/or nude in the context of
acting, as a Christian this is sinful, and can cause great discomfort and strain for the other spouse
in the marriage. Hebrew 13: 4 speaks, “Marriage is honorable and all, and the bed is undefiled.”
Now, when a married person has sex with another, acting or not, it defiles the temple of that
spouse as well as the other spouse when they are once again intimate with each other. Sex goes
further than just the physical body, also, it is spiritual and will surely affect the martial bed of the
couple. “This is why Christian faith teaches that sex is for marriage” (Jones, 2015, p. 74).
References
Hiestand, G. & Wilson, T. (Eds.). (2017). Beauty, order, and mystery: A Christian vision of
human sexuality. InterVarsity Press.
Jones. B.F. (2015). Faithful: A theology of sex. Zondervan.
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