word, she walked out on unsteady legs. Desi hurried to her car as if a dog were chasing her. Once she was behind the wheel and her doors locked, she cried harder than she did the first time she learned of Michael’s betrayal. “Lord, what’s in this for me?” She swiped at the tears as she started her engine and sped off, daring her soon-to-be ex-husband to cross her path.
CHAPTER ~8~
Michael’s face stung. He didn’t fault Desi for the smack. He deserved it. The air was still as the hurried click of Desi’s heels faded down the hall. When he was about to go after her, Pastor Reed waved him to remain seated.
“I’m sorry I caused her so much pain.”
“Your wife is hurting and she has to work through this. I don’t condone violence, but I’m not surprised by her actions. Those were pretty graphic details for a wife to hear coming from her husband. The only one that can help her get through this is Jesus.”
“Right. Despite my actions, I really do love my wife.” He rubbed his face in frustration and stood. “Thanks for your time.”
“Not yet, Brother Bishop. Not only is your marriage in need of repair, so is your spiritual commitment to God. If you repent, the Bible says in 1 John 1:9 that the Lord Jesus is just and faithful to forgive. Have you done that?”
“Countless times.”
“I haven’t seen you in church in a while.”
“I was too ashamed to come.” Michael looked away.
“But you’re here now.” Pastor Reed reached for his Bible and flipped through the pages. “Proverbs 22:1 talks about a good name. Your father passed on a great name to you, which is commonly used as the title of great men who serve God. Just like we hold on to the name of Jesus that is above all names, your name stands for something.”
Michael didn’t need to be reminded of how he had failed God with a name like Bishop.
“But it’s verse three of that chapter I want you to meditate on: A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. ”
“The red flags.” Michael nodded. “I thought I was serving the devil notice when I boasted about my wife. I thought that was a loud signal.”
“But you didn’t back it up. The devil knows the Word, too, and many times saints don’t back up their words with the Word. What does Psalm 119:11 say? Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Jesus rebuked Satan with the Word. You should have so much Word in your heart so that when Satan used that other woman to tempt you, you would have rebuked her with the Word instead of submitting to your body’s lust. How long did the affair last?”
“About a month.”
Pastor Reed replied, “I see. That’s a long time to be unfaithful. The longer you continue in sin and ignore God’s warning signals, Jesus will turn you over to your own lusts. You eventually are going to have to tell your wife everything and hold nothing back, no secrets regardless of how painful it is. If you hold anything back, Brother Bishop, it could come back to steal whatever headway you two make.”
“It doesn’t look good. She hates me.” Michael waited for the man of God to dispute his assessment, but the pastor didn’t.
“Sister Bishop’s devastated. She needs time to completely trust you again if you want your marriage restored.” He paused and frowned. “Women are emotional creatures. Expect a wide range of temperaments as she comes to grips with your affair. Pray for her as you pray for yourself.”
“Do you think she will forgive me so we can get past this?”
Pastor Reed was slow in responding. “I don’t know, son. God promised us salvation. Anything else we get in life is incidental.”
Michael groaned. That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. Thanking the pastor, he stood ready to leave, but Pastor Reed stopped him.
“I expect to see your presence regularly at Bible class from now on, with or without your
CHAPTER ~8~
Michael’s face stung. He didn’t fault Desi for the smack. He deserved it. The air was still as the hurried click of Desi’s heels faded down the hall. When he was about to go after her, Pastor Reed waved him to remain seated.
“I’m sorry I caused her so much pain.”
“Your wife is hurting and she has to work through this. I don’t condone violence, but I’m not surprised by her actions. Those were pretty graphic details for a wife to hear coming from her husband. The only one that can help her get through this is Jesus.”
“Right. Despite my actions, I really do love my wife.” He rubbed his face in frustration and stood. “Thanks for your time.”
“Not yet, Brother Bishop. Not only is your marriage in need of repair, so is your spiritual commitment to God. If you repent, the Bible says in 1 John 1:9 that the Lord Jesus is just and faithful to forgive. Have you done that?”
“Countless times.”
“I haven’t seen you in church in a while.”
“I was too ashamed to come.” Michael looked away.
“But you’re here now.” Pastor Reed reached for his Bible and flipped through the pages. “Proverbs 22:1 talks about a good name. Your father passed on a great name to you, which is commonly used as the title of great men who serve God. Just like we hold on to the name of Jesus that is above all names, your name stands for something.”
Michael didn’t need to be reminded of how he had failed God with a name like Bishop.
“But it’s verse three of that chapter I want you to meditate on: A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. ”
“The red flags.” Michael nodded. “I thought I was serving the devil notice when I boasted about my wife. I thought that was a loud signal.”
“But you didn’t back it up. The devil knows the Word, too, and many times saints don’t back up their words with the Word. What does Psalm 119:11 say? Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Jesus rebuked Satan with the Word. You should have so much Word in your heart so that when Satan used that other woman to tempt you, you would have rebuked her with the Word instead of submitting to your body’s lust. How long did the affair last?”
“About a month.”
Pastor Reed replied, “I see. That’s a long time to be unfaithful. The longer you continue in sin and ignore God’s warning signals, Jesus will turn you over to your own lusts. You eventually are going to have to tell your wife everything and hold nothing back, no secrets regardless of how painful it is. If you hold anything back, Brother Bishop, it could come back to steal whatever headway you two make.”
“It doesn’t look good. She hates me.” Michael waited for the man of God to dispute his assessment, but the pastor didn’t.
“Sister Bishop’s devastated. She needs time to completely trust you again if you want your marriage restored.” He paused and frowned. “Women are emotional creatures. Expect a wide range of temperaments as she comes to grips with your affair. Pray for her as you pray for yourself.”
“Do you think she will forgive me so we can get past this?”
Pastor Reed was slow in responding. “I don’t know, son. God promised us salvation. Anything else we get in life is incidental.”
Michael groaned. That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. Thanking the pastor, he stood ready to leave, but Pastor Reed stopped him.
“I expect to see your presence regularly at Bible class from now on, with or without your
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