Wives often ask my wife and I how they can really know their husband, who’s committed some form of sexual sin, is getting better. While there’s no acid test, there are some things I believe a woman can and should expect when her man says, “I was wrong; I’ve repented of it.”
If that’s the case, here are the top five things I think she should see:
1. Action
You’ll see him take concrete steps to distance himself from the behavior. If internet porn was the problem, he’ll get a block, a filter, an online accountability device or he’ll get off the computer altogether. If he had an affair, you’ll see him distance himself once and for all from the other party. He won’t ask you to simply trust him not to sin again without seeing him take action. Instead, he’ll know that concrete action is mandatory if trust is to be rebuilt.
2. Attitude
You’ll see a combination of humility and zeal. That means you WON’T see resentment on his part for having to take the steps mentioned above, nor will you see a flippant, “What’s the big deal?” attitude about the wrong he’s done. There will instead be the reasonable humility of the Prodigal Son who said, in essence, “I know things can’t be the same right now, not after what I’ve done. But let me be in relationship with you anyway, and I’ll do what’s necessary to restore our bond.” (Luke 15: 18-21)That, combined with zeal to win you back, is a reasonable thing to expect.
3. Accountability
You’ll see him set up specific times each week during which he gives an account to a third party as to how he’s handling temptations, and whether or not he’s had a slip. He won’t balk at this (even though he probably won’t love it either) because he’ll realize that, left his own devices, he’s too susceptible. Accountability is a must.
4. Awareness
You’ll see a growing awareness on his part of the pain his behavior has caused you, along with a growing appreciation of your forgiveness and love. He’ll realize that his ongoing recovery and sanctification are not all about him, and that his union with you makes you vulnerable to his ups and downs in ways he can barely imagine. He’ll see, and he’ll care, what you’re going through.
5. Aspiration
You’ll see your man aspire to be more intimate with God through his devotional life, and you’ll see him aspire to learn, grow, and become stronger. A man’s failure can be a terrific textbook, teaching him about his weakness and potential, and you should expect to see him learning from, then growing beyond, this season of grief.
There’s more, of course. As a couple you should experience mutual growth. So it’s likely God will call you to look at yourself as well, and re-examine areas of your own life that need correcting. But for now, as your husband’s partner in life, you can and should expect him to take seriously whatever compromises have damaged you and your union, and you can watch – hopefully and prayerfully – as God does the redemptive work of, as always, causing grace to “that much more abound” where there was sin (Romans 5:20) and turn what was meant for evil into good. (Genesis 50:20
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