The State of "Affairs"

The recent passing of Steve McNair has brought to light all types of issues in American life. The issues of marriage and infidelity, age and relationships, athletes and the dangers of their lifestyle, among many other things. The discussion of the tension that must be felt within the families of both McNair and Kazemi. Death by suicide brings about shame within families. When you add the circumstances of adultery into the picture, I can only imagine how much more.

Gov. Mark Sanford brought tremendous shame to his wife, family, state, office, and political party. His wife has been relatively outspoken concerning the pain he has caused her and his children. The effects of an affair are so far reaching I don't know if people realize what they are doing. I understand that some are taken by passion, some by a lack of character, and some by pure planning and choice.

Whatever the case, marital affairs have become an epidemic. Some statistics report that 50% of women and 70% of men admit to having an affair. That is outrageous. Some marriages survive such assaults. Most don't. I often think to myself that this was never meant to be. Christ said in Matthew 19:4-6:

"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'[a] 5and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'[b]? 6So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

He clearly states that the "two" shall become "one." This is a wise plan. There is little damage when it is a one man-one woman relationship.

Steve McNair's affair proved to be far more costly than he could have ever imagined. Typical of sinful behavior. We can rarely see the full impact that sinful behavior will have on us or those around us. When Adam sinned I'm certain he didn't know what was to come. How could he? What was death to him? We are not in the same boat. There are countless accounts of the impact of adultery. I would argue that most don't think they are going to be caught. However, history is replete with people being caught as well.

Unfaithful men and women are destroying themselves, their families, and the future of our nation. The divorce rate and the impact on children is clearly having its effects on us. We are not stronger for it, we are much worse off. Every part of a family must be protected in order to have a strong society. Strong families begin with strong marriages.

It is my plea that if you find yourself in such a situation or are considering make such a decision that you reconsider. Think of your family (nuclear and extended). Think of your community. If you are a Christian, think of your God and how you are breaking His heart. I know that the temptation is strong and the flesh is weak, but you are not alone. There are resources available to help you like counseling, friends, family, hot lines, and churches. Get some help, save your marriage...save your children the pain. Let us get back to the original intention of marriage-God's love and intimacy expressed between two people.