For day after day they seek me out;
    they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
    and has not forsaken the commands of its God.

-Isaiah 58:2, NIV

Some cheaters excel at doing things that make them look like “good” Christians.

That is part of the trauma for the faithful spouse. They have to sort out those words and actions from real religion and life-giving relationship with God.

The cheater might even invoke God’s name in “justifying” their sinful behavior. It is sick. Such invocation is spiritual abuse.

Some good news is God is wise to this “game.”

Here we have the Prophet Isaiah calling out the Jewish people for such outward signs missing an inward reality. He makes it clear in this chapter that God demands real justice and not just lip-service (or outward rituals).

God is not fooled by your cheater.

The same Person behind this passage in Isaiah is the same Person watching what your cheater is doing. He recognizes wickedness when He sees it. God is not impressed.

So, the key is to remember this:

Just because a cheater invokes God’s name and attends church (perhaps even leads it) does not mean God is fine with his or her sinful behavior.

God is not so easily fooled!

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*A version of this post ran previously.