Many adulterers like myself, or even addicts, will confess to eventually feeling like a slave to the affair partner or addiction. Before we know it, what once was an adrenaline filled endeavor, full of excitement (usually because it was wrong), eventually becomes slavery. The elation and electricity of it all, fades, then slowly but surely turns to dread, regret, and sometimes even disdain. Disdain for ourselves, and the affair partner as well.

As we continue in our sin and duplicity, the shame and condemnation become overwhelming, yet we find it impossible to break out of where we have landed. Don't think for a minute we simply land where we end up; as though we were flying and some force unbeknownst to us, picked out some runway and landed on it for us. It's not even as though we fell. More aptly, we walk right into where we end up. Somewhere along the way of life, we made a group of small seemingly unimportant decisions, which slowly but every so surely, led us to the affair.

Along the way of our moral failure, we can feel as if we are in too deep, and literally see no way out. What's more truthful though, is that we see no real way out, that is without pain and suffering, along with having to own up to our sin. We see no way out of the pain that we have caused so many others, as well as ourselves. Truth be told, we really see no way out of further concealing our affair, addiction, or sin.

That was the case for me. I felt so bound by the situation I had allowed and ultimately created, by giving in to the allure. So controlled by my affair partner's manipulation, the overall situation, and my own insecurities. I too, saw no way out that would preserve my calling, position, lifestyle or marriage. In all honesty, I really did think there was no real righteous way out. I was somehow convinced I had fallen soo far, that there was no way of ever making it back.

I was wrong.

There WAS a way out.

It was there all along. At the very least, there was another way out besides the one that I took. Like many, I had to be exposed, rather than coming clean on my own initiative. I could have, and should have, come clean, repented, and asked for help to save my marriage and family. I had the opportunity, on my own recognizance, to show everyone that I believed God was big enough to handle my failure.

But, I didn't.

God still showed Himself faithful.

Sin promises to please, but only enslaves and dominates.

I'm so thankful that I'm no longer a slave to anyone, but Christ. The apostle Paul said it best in 1 Corinthians 7:22-23

For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freeman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.

I'm so thankful and genuinely happy to say, I'm not a slave to the affair partner any longer. I'm no longer a slave to my pastor or senior leaders either, and I'm certainly not a slave to the ministry like my family and I were. Looking back, I can see just how much of a slave I was, my staff was, and all those in the ministry were. Everyone knew it, but we thought ourselves soo spiritual and self sacrificing in Christ's will and calling. I'm sure most everyone in reverse thinks very differently. I'm quite sure most everyone knows it, hates it, and never wants to repeat it, EVER.

That's the thing; no one really signs up for slavery. No one wants to be addicted and emotionally helpless to fight back against an addiction, affair, or case of codependency. I highly doubt any of us want an addiction or particular person, to absolutely dominate and rule our lives, reducing us to feeling as though we are handcuffed by their manipulative efforts, or our own lack of moral fortitude.

I never wanted it to cost me everything. I didn't want it to occupy my thoughts, feelings, emotions and eventually prevent me from achieving my destiny in Christ. I never signed up for the ruin it brought to me, my ministry, and so many other people's lives. Yet, despite what I did not sign up for, due to my choices, it all came crashing down.

That's how the devil works. It's how he does his finest work; in secret traps that appear as angels of light.

I forget exactly who said it but the greatest trick the devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't (and doesn't), exist.

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO YOU TODAY? Do you feel as though you are a slave today? I'm sure I don't need to ask you what you are a slave to, as it greets you every day of your life. Is it perhaps that once, a long or even short time ago, you were truly a slave to some sort of dysfunction? I don't have to remind you of the feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and desperation one feels. Unless you've broken free, you can feel so helpless to find peace, comfort, or hope of triumph. Somewhere along the way, like me, you may have given up winning and overcoming, and chose to just live with and accept, the situation. It's called surrendering to the slavery. I'm so glad to now only be a slave of righteousness, and Christ. I knowingly and willingly signed up for it. I gave in to it. I put the shackles on myself and said here I am, use me, love me, take me, forgive me, cleans me, and restore me. I am yours, do with me as thou will. I encourage you..........sign up for His calling upon your life. Sign up for His redemption of your marriage, family, and destiny. Sign up for His ability to turn what the devil meant for evil, into the greatest thing that may have ever happened to you. You don't have to lose all that you have. All that you've worked for, and all that you've built. Regardless of your age, God is bigger than your failure, and if you give Him a chance, He'll show you just how big he is and just how able He is to save you and heal you. He is bigger than your worst sin and addiction. He can save you, and longs to. If you will humble yourself, come clean of your own accord, He will be there every step of the way. He never leaves, or forsakes!
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU, AND WE'RE PRAYING FOR YOU!!!