Welcome to the September edition of The Singles’ World.

In the last edition, I discussed the emotional and spiritual damage caused by infidelity. In earlier editions, I examined its prevalence and major causes in society today. Sadly, infidelity also affects the Church of God, which should serve as the light of the world.

My concern in this series is to expose this destructive problem. Infidelity is already destroying many Christian homes. Sadly, the wider society continues to influence the Church through globalisation and the media. Yet, Christians do not always recognise the dangers that come with these influences.

We must therefore ask ourselves:  Why should the children of Zion behave like the children of Belial?

The boundary between the Church and the world appears increasingly blurred. As a result, adultery has become a concern even within the Church. Through this series, I hope to expose this troubling reality and offer guidance.

I want singles to understand the dangers of infidelity before marriage. I also want married couples to guard their hearts and homes against adultery and its devastating consequences. Furthermore, I hope to encourage those struggling with infidelity to break free and seek appropriate help.

In this edition, I shall discuss another consequence of infidelity. I pray that the Lord will preserve you and your home from adultery, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Effects of Infidelity

1. Marital Damage

Infidelity can cause serious damage to a marriage. One of its first consequences is often constant suspicion. Once a partner breaks trust, suspicion can take its place.

Even when the unfaithful partner genuinely repents, the betrayed spouse may struggle to trust again. Rebuilding trust often requires time, patience, honesty, and consistent effort.

Some people already struggle with trust because of their upbringing. They may have grown up in families where betrayal, dishonesty, and broken promises were common. Others have experienced betrayal by people they once trusted deeply.

When such individuals later experience infidelity in marriage, rebuilding trust can become even more difficult.

In these marriages, ordinary activities may trigger suspicion. A telephone call, an interaction with someone of the opposite sex, or a journey taken alone may raise concerns. Even innocent social activities can become sources of conflict.

As a result, the home may become tense, unhealthy, and emotionally exhausting. This is one of the painful ways infidelity damages a marriage.

2. Weakening of Marital Intimacy

Infidelity can also seriously damage marital intimacy. The betrayed spouse may struggle to feel emotionally or physically close to the unfaithful partner.

Marriage requires faithfulness and exclusivity. When one partner shares that intimacy with another person, the betrayal can deeply affect the relationship.

The betrayed spouse may no longer desire physical intimacy. Feelings of hurt, anger, and distrust can make closeness difficult. The spouse may also feel uncomfortable sharing a bed with the person who caused the pain.

As a result, the couple may struggle to meet each other’s emotional and sexual needs. They may continue living under the same roof while feeling lonely, frustrated, and disconnected.

This is a painful situation. The marriage bed should represent intimacy, security, and mutual affection. However, infidelity can turn it into a reminder of betrayal and distrust.

3. Communication Breakdown

Infidelity may also destroy open communication between spouses. The betrayed partner may no longer feel safe sharing personal thoughts, plans, or concerns with the unfaithful spouse.

Conversations may become brief, forced, or infrequent. One partner may ignore telephone calls or respond coldly to text messages. The couple may also stop sharing important burdens and problems.

This breakdown can weaken the emotional connection that once encouraged honesty and openness.

Over time, misunderstanding, resentment, and anger may grow. If the couple fails to address these emotions, conflict may escalate into verbal or emotional abuse. In some cases, it may even lead to physical violence.

This is why the Bible says, “Hatred stirreth up strifes” (Proverbs 10:12). Proverbs 29:22 also declares, “An angry man stirreth up strife.”

Betrayal can produce deep anger and resentment. However, couples must not allow these emotions to lead to violence. They should seek appropriate help before the situation worsens or causes further harm.

4. Separation and Divorce

In some cases, infidelity may eventually lead to separation or divorce. Once a marriage reaches this point, the couple may face additional challenges.

These may include disputes over property, finances, child custody, and family responsibilities. In some cases, the involvement of extended family members may further complicate matters.

A relationship that began with joy and solemn promises at the wedding altar may end in bitterness and emotional pain.

The consequences affect more than the couple. Their children may also suffer, and the wider family may experience distress. The Christian community may feel the impact as well.

When a Christian marriage breaks down because of infidelity, it can damage the couple’s testimony. It may also give unbelievers an opportunity to question or ridicule the Christian faith.

This is why prevention is better than trying to repair the damage caused by infidelity. Couples must guard their hearts, maintain healthy boundaries, communicate openly, nurture intimacy, and remain faithful to their marriage covenant.

If you are already struggling with infidelity, do not continue living in secrecy. Acknowledge the problem and repent. End the illicit relationship and seek godly counsel.

You must also take practical steps to rebuild trust and restore your marriage, where restoration is possible. This process may require time, honesty, accountability, and professional counselling.

May this teaching bless you and help free your home from every attack of the enemy, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

By the grace of God, we shall continue this discussion next month. Please remember to send me your comments and testimonies.

If you have not yet given your life to Jesus Christ, please surrender your life to Him today. Tomorrow may be too late.

Until then, God bless you. Amen.

Pastor Jide Ajidahun

The post Singles’ World September’26 Edition appeared first on The Olive Branch.

The causes of infidelity in Christian marriage are complex and may include unmet emotional needs, a lack of marital intimacy, poor communication, and a failure to uphold biblical principles. Understanding these causes is an important step towards protecting the marriage covenant and building a stronger relationship founded on love, faithfulness, and mutual understanding.

I welcome you to the February edition of Singles’ World for the year 2026. In the last edition of Singles’ World, I discussed digital infidelity as another form of adultery. In an earlier edition, I addressed physical contact as a form of adultery. From a biblical perspective, adultery can be physical or psychological, and neither is less grievous than the other. I previously noted that adultery remains one of the most prevalent vices plaguing marriages today. Sadly, the Christian family—which ought to serve as a model—is not exempt.

Many homes have broken down irreparably because of adultery. DNA tests continue to reveal alarming cases of infidelity, with devastating consequences. There are heartbreaking reports of men discovering, through paternity tests, that they have unknowingly raised children who are not biologically theirs. Yet Scripture is clear: the marriage bed must be honoured. The Bible commands, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Even some who preach and teach the Word are guilty of this sin.

In this edition, my focus is to examine one of the causes of adultery, with a view to proposing practical and biblical solutions.

Lack of Intimacy

One common cause of infidelity is the lack or denial of sexual intimacy within marriage. It is not uncommon today to hear husbands complain that their wives deprive them of intimacy. In some cases, sex is made conditional or used as a tool of manipulation. When a spouse feels persistently starved of intimacy, he or she may become more vulnerable to temptation, especially when personal boundaries are not carefully maintained.

Some women develop unhealthy attitudes towards sex due to upbringing or certain doctrinal teachings that portray sexual desire itself as sinful. There is often a failure to distinguish between fornication—sexual relations outside marriage—and sexual intimacy within lawful marriage, which Scripture permits and honours (1 Corinthians 7:2). Traumatic experiences, such as sexual abuse, may also affect a woman’s perception of intimacy. Others may see sex purely as a means of procreation or as an unpleasant obligation rather than a mutual expression of love.

There are also practical factors: demanding careers, ministry commitments, prolonged travel, health challenges, or sexual dysfunction may all affect intimacy in marriage. In some situations, one spouse may feel overwhelmed by the other’s sexual expectations. The list of contributing factors is extensive.

Similarly, there are husbands who deny their wives intimacy, sometimes as a form of punishment, emotional withdrawal, or under the guise of excessive spiritual activities such as prolonged fasting or itinerant ministry without consideration for their spouse. Though this may be less frequently discussed, it equally exposes the other partner to temptation.

While these reasons are often cited, it must be clearly stated that from a biblical standpoint, there is no justification for adultery. Sexual deprivation may be challenging, but it does not excuse unfaithfulness. The rising divorce rate in society, often fuelled by infidelity, affects Christian homes as well. Hebrews 13:4 reminds us, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Romans 13:9 equally commands, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”

Conclusion

Christian couples must not deny one another their conjugal rights for trivial reasons. First Corinthians 7:3–5 is explicit on this matter. Verse 5 states, “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time…”

There may be legitimate reasons for temporary abstinence—such as fasting, prayer, health issues, or unavoidable separation due to work or travel. However, such periods must be mutual, temporary, and handled with self-control and wisdom. Permanent or prolonged denial creates unnecessary vulnerability to temptation.

Sex within lawful marriage is one of God’s gifts and blessings. It should never be used as a weapon, bargaining tool, or instrument of control. It ought to be expressed voluntarily, lovingly, and with mutual understanding. A wife should not make intimacy conditional, nor should a husband demand it without sensitivity to his wife’s health and well-being. Both partners must approach intimacy with maturity, communication, and respect, avoiding worldly distortions of sexuality. Although sexual needs vary from person to person, wisdom, empathy, and honest communication can help couples manage differences constructively.

Adultery is avoidable in a Christian home. If you have fallen into it, genuine repentance brings mercy. If you have been denying your spouse intimacy, you must reconsider your actions and seek restoration. Where there are persistent difficulties, wise pastoral counselling may be helpful, provided it is handled with discretion and trust.

To singles: prepare yourself not only spiritually and financially for marriage, but also emotionally and relationally. Sexual compatibility, mutual understanding, and a healthy view of intimacy are important considerations. Marriage should not be entered carelessly, for adultery remains an abomination before God.

May the Lord strengthen and preserve our homes, in the name of Jesus Christ.

By the grace of God, we will continue from here next month. Please do not forget to send me your comments and testimonies. If you are not born again, please surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Tomorrow may be too late. Until then, God bless you. Amen.

Pastor Jide Ajidahun

The post Singles’ World February ’26 Edition appeared first on The Olive Branch.