a witness to adultery
Hello brothers and sisters in Christ,
My name is Ian, a Christian who lost track in the past and is now determined to be an ambassador of Christ. I'm in the learning stage at the moment and I'm keeping myself surrounded with people who draws me closer to God.
I had a challenge today and I can't make a strong stand. I have a little knowledge of the Bible yet and I cannot use it to support my thoughts. A friend of mine, who is a Non-Christian, asked me about my view regarding adultery.
He asked me this, "Suppose that you are a friend of a married man who committed adultery. You've approached your friend and tried your best to encourage him to admit it and discuss it over with his wife. The wife has no idea at all what is happening. You are not related to her in any way. Your friend refused to do so and just ignored you. As a friend, how do you deal with the situation? Will you tell the wife about it? or just leave them alone? Is it rightful to get yourself involved in a private matter between a married couple?"
I honestly don't know how to deal with it? I would like to tell the wife but is it righteous? You have no idea what will happen should you do that. They might end up in divorce most probably or something more tragic might happen. And whatever happens, you'll surely be part of it. Can you handle the consequences?
My friend's firm stand is to approach the guy only but not the wife. If the guy refused to turn himself up and admit the sin, you have nothing to do with them anymore. It's their personal issue and you're out of it. But isn't it the right of the wife to know? If you will not tell her, who would? They will live in lie and I don't think I can bear it.
I would love to hear from you guys. Thanks a lot and God bless us all.
Adultery
Although I too would be tempted to tell the wife, I do not think it wise if there is not a prior relationship with her.
People around us sin all the time. Some are worse than others. We can tell them what we think, or if it affects us, how we feel, but ultimately we can't change anyone's actions.
I would be in prayer for anyone involved in something as harmful and tragic as adultery. I would pray for their conscience to be affected by their actions, and for them to seek what is true and what is right. I would pray for the wife, that she may find strength when she discovers the truth.
Even if you were to tell the wife, it would not change his heart. If the relationship is to be redeemed, it has to be between the two of them.