What is Cheating?
The Bible says that even when a man (or woman) lusts after another individual, he has committed adultery in his heart. So what does that mean in practicality? What is cheating? Are there gray areas?
Certainly we know that any form of intimate touch with someone other than your spouse is cheating. That brings us to what is intimate touch. Is it only intercourse? What about “just” petting or kissing? Hand holding is hardly sexual—right? Not according to the Bible.
According to the Word of God, cheating is done even without any touch at all. People who view pornography are certainly not seeking only their spouse for intimate connection. A wonderful book I have read is entitled, “Affair of the Mind”, a book about a woman married to a man with an addiction to porn. This husband was not seeking only his wife for intimate/sexual interest. According to the Bible, this man was cheating.
But haven’t most people felt a tug of interest when an attractive person walks by? Yes, according to the Bible most of us have committed adultery in our hearts. The important thing is to have it stop right there. Repent quickly and then thank the Lord that it did not go beyond that. Also pray that you would not be tempted, that you would have “clean hands and a pure heart” before Him. He will help you as you cry out to Him.