Stirring her coffee absentmindedly and turning the pages of her Bible in search of some sort of comfort, Karen thought about the myriad effects of her forsaken sin. She and Thomas had struggled several years to rebuild their marriage. Her children had heard stories of their mother’s infidelity at school and church. And while her pastor had refrained from showing shock or judgment, he had asked her to step down from her leadership roles for a while. Other people in the church had mixed reactions to her confession; and, although most of their friendships had been restored in the years that followed, a few old friends still kept their distance.

Karen located the model in Psalm 51 she had used for confessing her adultery those many years ago. She read the words aloud and prayed that her daughter would soon repent from her own adulterous relationship.

Adultery in particular brings on many deaths—the death of trust, a marriage, children’s innocence, reputation, opportunities for ministry, and more. Commit anew to keeping your marriage bed sacred and pure. No new fling, no budding romance, no “interesting and attentive man” is worth so many deaths.

If you are struggling over a sin you have committed, confess it to God, repent, and accept His forgiveness (1 John 1:9).