Honoring Marital Vows with Complete Fidelity

There are different kinds of infidelity. Infidelity can be categorized based on the type of involvement (emotional or physical) and the level of relational attachment (attached or detached). Based on this information there appear to be four types of infidelity: fantasy, visual, romantic, and sexual.

Type of Involvement

Type of Relational Attachment	Emotional	Physical
Detached	Fantasy	Visual
Attached	Romantic	Sexual

Fantasy Infidelity

Fantasy infidelity is emotional/detached and is characterized by having an emotional affair with someone who has no knowledge about what is taking place, or with someone who is anonymous (such as a person in a chat room) or will likely never be encountered in person (such as a celebrity), or all three. This type of infidelity involves fantasizing romantically about someone other than our spouse. 

Visual Infidelity

Visual infidelity is detached/physical. Pornography is perhaps the most common type of unfaithfulness. And the physical aspect of pornography involves the common practice of self-stimulation while viewing pornography. 

Here is a quick video illustrating what can happen to a family because of pornography.

Romantic Infidelity

Romantic infidelity is emotional/attached. It occurs when an individual becomes emotionally involved with a specific person other than his or her spouse. Romantic infidelity is characterized by a "second life" and commonly is a result of trying to escape the monotony of everyday life.

Sexual Infidelity

Sexual infidelity is physical/attached. It occurs when a person engages in sexual acts outside the bonds of marriage with or without emotional attachment. In some instances, sexual infidelity can be detached, such as infidelity with a prostitute. In some instances visual affairs or fantasies will lead a person into committing the more serious sin of physical, sexual infidelity.

"Infidelity is a subtle process. It does not begin with adultery; it begins with thoughts and attitudes. Each step to adultery is short, and each is easily taken; but once the process starts, it is difficult to stop." (Veon Smith, professor and marriage counselor)

THERE IS HOPE!

Infidelity is easier to prevent than to remedy. 

1. Boundaries: Be on Guard
2. Fiercely Loyal

Repairing Marriage after infidelity

1. Rebuild Trust
1. Become Accountable
2. Establish Boundaries
3. Rebuilding the Trust Bank Account
2. Gain Perspective
3. Repentance and Forgiveness
1. Confession
2. Forsaking sin
3. Finding Forgiveness
4. Forgiving and Unfaithful Spouse
4. Overcoming Addiction
5. Making the Choice to Stay Together
1. Healing the Past
2. Strengthening the Present
3. Enriching the Future