Emotional infidelity is a betrayal that can deeply hurt relationships. The Bible calls us to faithfulness in heart and mind. Today, we’ll uncover the principles Scripture provides for maintaining trust and integrity.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Emotional Attachment
What Does The Bible Say About Emotional Infidelity
Proverbs 6:32
“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”
This verse highlights the destructive nature of adultery and the lack of wisdom in engaging in such behavior. Emotional infidelity, which involves forming deep emotional connections with someone outside of a committed relationship, can be just as damaging as physical adultery.
It is a reminder of the importance of fidelity and loyalty in relationships, and the consequences that come with betraying the trust of a partner.
Matthew 5:28
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
This verse emphasizes the significance of guarding our thoughts and intentions. Emotional infidelity often stems from lustful desires and inappropriate attractions that we entertain in our minds.
It serves as a reminder that emotional faithfulness begins with purity of heart and mind, and that we should be diligent in recognizing and rejecting any thoughts or actions that could lead to emotional infidelity.
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
This verse urges believers to run away from any form of sexual immorality, including emotional infidelity. It emphasizes that our bodies, as temples of the Holy Spirit, should be kept pure and free from any defilement.
It serves as a reminder to be intentional in avoiding situations and relationships that could potentially lead to emotional unfaithfulness.
Proverbs 27:20
“Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.”
This verse underscores the insatiable nature of human desires. It cautions against the constant pursuit of new attractions and experiences that can lead to emotional infidelity.
It reminds us to find contentment and satisfaction in our current relationships and to guard against the temptation of seeking fulfillment outside of our committed partnerships.
Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
This verse admonishes us to prioritize the protection of our hearts, as they are the source of our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Emotional infidelity starts with allowing our hearts to be entangled with someone other than our partner.
It urges us to be mindful of the influences we allow into our lives and to actively guard against any behavior or relationship that could lead us astray.
1 Corinthians 10:12
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
This verse serves as a cautionary reminder that none of us are immune to temptation, including the temptation of emotional infidelity. It encourages humility and self-awareness, urging us to be vigilant and cautious in our relationships.
It reminds us that we are all susceptible to making mistakes and encourages us to constantly evaluate our actions and motivations to ensure we remain faithful in both actions and emotions.
Proverbs 5:18
“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.”
This verse celebrates the beauty and importance of marital fidelity. It encourages husbands to find joy and fulfillment in their relationships with their wives.
It serves as a reminder that emotional infidelity not only undermines the trust within a marriage but also robs individuals of the blessings and joy that come from honoring and cherishing their spouse.
Ecclesiastes 7:26
“I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.”
This verse portrays the dangers of immoral relationships, where emotional infidelity can easily take root. It describes the seductive and deceptive nature of those who would entice others to leave their commitments.
It serves as a warning to avoid falling into the trap of emotional infidelity and highlights the importance of seeking God’s guidance in relationships.
Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
This verse emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the importance of keeping the marriage covenant pure. Emotional infidelity threatens the sanctity of the marriage bed by diverting emotional and relational energy outside of the committed relationship.
It serves as a reminder that God holds us accountable for our actions and motivations in relationships, and that we should strive to honor and protect the commitments we have made.
Proverbs 6:25
“Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.”
This verse warns against allowing our desires and attractions to lead us astray. Emotional infidelity often begins with inappropriate thoughts and attractions to someone who is not our partner.
It serves as a reminder to guard our hearts and minds against lustful desires and distractions that can erode the trust and emotional intimacy within our committed relationships.
Proverbs 14:30
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
This verse highlights the destructive nature of envy and discontentment. Emotional infidelity can stem from a dissatisfaction with our current relationships, leading us to seek fulfillment and connection with someone else.
It serves as a reminder to cultivate contentment in our hearts and to actively appreciate and nurture the relationships we are already in.
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
This verse encourages us to focus our thoughts on things that are good and pure. Emotional infidelity often begins with dwelling on impure thoughts and fantasies about someone outside of our committed relationships.
It serves as a reminder to intentionally redirect our thoughts towards what is praiseworthy and to actively choose to think about and pursue love and fidelity within our relationships.
2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
This verse encourages us to actively pursue righteousness and flee from the desires that can lead to emotional infidelity. It emphasizes the importance of surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who also desire to live in purity and faithfulness.
It serves as a reminder to seek accountability and support from those who share our commitment to fidelity and to be intentional in our pursuit of emotional purity.
Proverbs 12:4
“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
This verse emphasizes the impact a faithful and virtuous wife has on her husband’s life. Emotional infidelity undermines the trust and respect within a marriage, leading to feelings of decay and disappointment.
It serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating nobility of character and faithfulness within marriage, and the devastating consequences that can result from emotional unfaithfulness.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
This well-known passage describes the characteristics of genuine love. Emotional infidelity often arises due to a lack of one or more of these qualities within a relationship.
It serves as a guide for cultivating healthy and faithful relationships, reminding us of the importance of love that is selfless, patient, and steadfast.
Proverbs 31:11-12
“Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
This verse praises the virtuous wife who brings goodness and trustworthiness to her relationship. Emotional infidelity undermines the confidence and security that comes from a faithful and loyal partner.
It serves as a reminder of the value of trust and the importance of consistently bringing goodness and support to our relationships.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”
This passage underscores the importance of sexual purity and self-control. Emotional infidelity often leads to sexual immorality and undermines the sanctity of relationships.
It serves as a call to honor God in our thoughts, emotions, and actions, and to pursue holiness and honor in our relationships.
Song of Solomon 2:7
“Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”
This verse warns against prematurely awakening romantic and emotional love. Emotional infidelity often arises when we allow ourselves to become emotionally entangled with someone outside of our committed relationships.
It serves as a reminder to be patient and discerning in matters of the heart, waiting for true love in its right time and context.
1 John 2:16
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
This verse exposes the root causes of emotional infidelity: the desires of the flesh, the eyes, and pride. It warns against being driven by worldly desires that can lead us away from faithful relationships.
It serves as a reminder to seek our contentment and fulfillment in God rather than in the pursuits and attractions of the world.
Proverbs 5:15-18
“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed!”
This vivid imagery of water sources serves as a metaphor for sexual and emotional faithfulness. Emotional infidelity involves seeking emotional fulfillment outside of our committed relationships.
It serves as a reminder to find satisfaction and fulfillment within the boundaries of our own relationships and to guard against sharing our hearts and emotions with those who are not our committed partners.
Matthew 22:37-39
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
This passage highlights the two greatest commandments given by Jesus – to love God wholeheartedly and to love others, including our partners, as ourselves. Emotional infidelity violates both of these commandments.
It serves as a reminder to prioritize our love and devotion to God and to actively demonstrate love and faithfulness within our relationships.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
This verse encourages believers to actively put to death any behaviors or desires that go against God’s commands, including emotional infidelity. It emphasizes the importance of seeking purity and holiness in all aspects of our lives.
It serves as a call to actively resist and eliminate any patterns of thought or actions that could lead to emotional unfaithfulness.
James 4:7-8
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
This passage reminds believers of the importance of surrendering to God and actively resisting temptation. Emotional infidelity often begins with subtle compromises and double-mindedness.
It serves as a call to draw closer to God, to seek His guidance, and to continuously purify our hearts and minds in order to resist the allure of emotional infidelity.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
This passage describes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes faithfulness. Emotional infidelity is in direct opposition to the Spirit’s work in our lives.
It serves as a reminder of the importance of yielding to the Spirit’s transformative work and allowing the fruit of faithfulness to be evident in our relationships.
This collection of Bible verses provides guidance and insight into the topic of emotional infidelity. Each verse brings attention to the destructive nature of emotional infidelity, whether by highlighting the consequences, offering warnings, or urging believers to pursue faithfulness. The commentaries on each verse delve into the specific lessons and applications we can draw from them. The verses collectively reinforce the importance of guarding our hearts, controlling our thoughts and desires, and prioritizing faithful and loving relationships. They remind us of the value of purity, loyalty, and contentment within our committed partnerships. Ultimately, they point us to God’s desire for us to honor Him in all aspects of our lives, including our emotional and relational choices.