Have you ever had suspicions that your partner may be having an affair? Or have you found yourself drawn to someone who is not your significant other?
Infidelity is a sensitive topic that most people prefer to avoid. But, knowing more about it can help both those who have experienced it and those who haven’t.
As someone who has experienced the pain of infidelity, I know firsthand how devastating it can be. In this article, we will explore the different types of affairs and a few of the warning signs to look out for. Let’s dive in and learn how to protect our marriage from the pain of infidelity.
The Emotional Affair
The first type of affair is the emotional affair. Emotional affairs happen when one spouse shares intimate thoughts, feelings, and emotions with someone outside their marriage. This type of affair usually starts innocently, with a shared interest or a problem that both parties are facing. However, it can quickly escalate into something more profound and intimate, leading to a breach of trust and emotional infidelity.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Do you feel more emotionally connected to someone outside your marriage?
- Are you sharing intimate thoughts and feelings with someone else that you haven’t shared with your spouse?
- Do you find yourself spending more time with someone else than your spouse?
Signs of emotional affairs:
- Withdrawing emotionally from your spouse
- Having secret conversations or meetings with someone else
- Feeling guilty or defensive when your spouse asks about your interactions with someone else
The Physical Affair
The second type of affair is the physical affair. This type of affair involves sexual contact between two people outside a committed relationship. It is the most obvious type of affair and can happen for various reasons, such as boredom, curiosity, or lack of satisfaction in the marriage.
- Are you attracted to someone outside your marriage?
- Have you engaged in sexual activity with someone outside your marriage?
- Are you actively pursuing a sexual relationship with someone else?
Signs of physical affairs:
- Spending more time away from your spouse without a clear explanation
- Hiding your phone or computer from your spouse
- Becoming distant or uninterested in physical intimacy with your spouse
The Cyber Affair
The third type of affair is the cyber affair. In today’s world of social media and technology, it is effortless to connect with people online. A cyber affair happens when one spouse engages in intimate conversations, exchanging sexually explicit content, or even engaging in cybersex with someone online. Although it may not involve physical contact, it can be just as damaging to the marriage.
- Have you engaged in intimate conversations with someone online?
- Have you exchanged sexually explicit content with someone online?
- Have you engaged in cybersex with someone online?
Signs of cyber affairs:
- Spending more time online or on social media than usual
- Being secretive about your online activities
- Hiding your phone or computer from your spouse
The One-Night Stand
Questions to ask yourself:
- Have you engaged in sexual activity with someone you don’t have a committed relationship with?
- Are you seeking out casual sexual encounters?
- Have you cheated on your spouse with someone else?
Signs of one-night stands:
- Spending more time away from your spouse without a clear explanation
- Being evasive or defensive when your spouse asks about your whereabouts
- Feeling guilty or ashamed after engaging in sexual activity with someone else
In all cases, it is essential to remember that infidelity can have serious consequences on marriages and families. It is crucial to remain faithful and committed to our spouses and seek help and guidance if we find ourselves struggling with temptation or in the midst of an affair.
As Christians, we can look to the Bible for guidance on fidelity and commitment. For example, in Proverbs 5:15-19, it says, “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth.” This is only one of many places the Bible warns us about infidelity.
None of us is above infidelity. Any one of us can be tempted to step outside of our marriage by participating in one or more of the four types of affairs. Lets all pray for strength and guidance in our relationships and that we resist the temptation to stray from our marriages.
Are you caught in the trap of an affair right now? Read this message from Steve, who’s been there.
Did you just find out about your spouse’s affair? Download our free ebook here to follow Lisa’s step-by-step path to navigating this painful revelation.
Photo by Warren Wong on Unsplash
