Affairs Don’t “Just Happen”

It just happened. We didn’t mean to fall in love with each other. One thing led to another and before I knew it, we were in bed together. I tried to stop the phone calls and text messages, but I couldn’t. It really was innocent. We started off as friends. It’s not like I intended to cheat on you. It just happened.

I know every marriage is different, and you might have a difference of opinion about this. But here is my take on it: affairs don’t “just happen.” I slipped and fell in love with someone else seems a little far-fetched to me. Am I supposed to believe that emotional and sexual relationships outside of marriage “just happen”? Is it that easy to break your marriage vows and to turn back on the covenant you made before God? I don’t think so.

In life there are things that “just happen” outside of your control: car accidents, spilled milk, sprained ankles, and other flukes. I don’t think affairs fall into this category. “Oops” or “We got caught up” are not valid excuses. Furthermore, I believe it insults a spouse’s intelligence when one person says, “Oh, it just happened.” If you were bold enough to step outside of the marriage, the least you can be is bold enough to take responsibility for your actions. When you should have been talking with your spouse, you were talking to someone else. When you should have been kissing and caressing your life partner, you were lusting after someone else. When you should have been home playing with the kids, you were playing house in a hotel room. All of these actions don’t just happen; they are planned and executed with the hopes of not getting caught.

If you “just happen” to have sex with someone, then why not make it your spouse? Spontaneous lovemaking that occurs without planning keeps the marriage exciting. It can “just happen” on your lunch break or early in the morning before work. It can “just happen” after you had an argument or when you think you are too tired to even cuddle. That’s the beauty of being in a God-ordained relationship opposed to being in an illicit affair. You can let whatever happens happen without feeling guilty or breaking the marriage covenant.

Affairs don’t “just happen,” but passionate lovemaking between a husband and wife can and should, which is the only time it’s okay to say, “Oops, (wink, wink) it just happened!”

Do you believe affairs “just happen”? Have you and your spouse ever talked about the  why’s and how’s of affairs?


About the author

Dr. Michelle Johnson is the founder of Alabaster Woman Ministries, an online
international women’s ministry. She is a wife, mother, writer, speaker,
teacher, and first lady of a church in North Carolina. Through her daily
blog, online radio show, and video Bible studies, Dr. Michelle encourages
women and married couples to make God the center of their lives.



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Comments (38)

  1. Lawandaweldon Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    Lovely article.  People need to be more accountable and stop twisting the truth with lies.  I love how you wove in the lovemaking with spouses.  Thank you for sharing your gift once again!
  2. Ms. C Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    Thank God for someone just can tell the plan truth. Listen ladies and gentleman you're only fooling yourselves please don't be a insult to your self for believing... oop's it just happen. It's a new day...if you're going to lie please be VERY good at it ...it's time out for knowing the truth and not standing up and telling the truth. Thank you... again for being bold enough to telling the plan truth. WOW... I love it.
    • Dr. Michelle Johnson Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
      Hello Ms. C. Your comment is on point. Thanks for reading, as always. And please do share. 
  3. Majo Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    preach!
  4. Charlesanna Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    No, I personally don't believe affairs just happens. When I got married I listen carefully to my wedding vows knowing I was making a covenant with God keeps me. Man can't keep you from doing something, but God can. One thing I know nobody else care about you being married, but you have to care. My husband works in the school system surrounded by lonely women everyday the stories he comes home and tell me makes me wonder what kind of people teaching our children. He tells them all that he is married I told him they don't care about that. I told him I don't care what women say to him I only care about what he says back to them. Thank God for sending me a saved man. He told them at our church and everywhere he feels the need "no one disrespect his wife". When you marry a man/woman that's a cheater before you married him why are you so surprised when he cheats in the marriage? 
    • traceykinohio Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
      Agreed and kudos to your hubby for respecting you & insisting that everyone else respect you as well. I know an old friend from high school whom is married but feels its okay to cheat on his wife because "they don't relate to each other anymore." I cannot tell you how disgusted those words made me. Yuck.
    • Dr. Michelle Johnson Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
      I agree. The person in covenant has to be responsible for him/herself. 
    • OMG Wednesday - 18 / 01 / 2012 Reply
      You hit the nail on the head with that last statement Charlesanna. When you marry a man that's  cheated before you married him why are you so surprised he cheats in the marriage. I personally truly believed he wouldn't cheat on me but he did and he keeps telling that they never had sex. Sat when I went to her house and he was there this was the 3rd time I had discovered him at her house. He said they have a emotional relationship but isn't that worse? We will be married 10 years this year and it really hurts. Since Sat I found out today he is still talking to her but he says he loves me and don't want a divorce. He also has done some other shady stuff like has texted his sister-in law sister for sex and they let me know this happened years ago. He said he was playing when he did that. What? My husband has no respect for me and I'm so broken that I can't hear God talking to me. I'm filing for divorce tomorrow cause this man is just a cheater and will be always be a cheater.
    • KeshaRenee Monday - 14 / 05 / 2012 Reply
      Very good point! I also wonder if he cheated with you and you all get married, will he cheat ON you once he says I do? I don't get it... I am just shocked and appalled at the way men think. And I say men because this is where my experience lie... With men... Yes! Kudo's to your husband for being a respectable man of God... Thankfully there are a few out here that are genuine to their word.
  5. Kallisa Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    I've never been married, but I can say, I don't believe in "chance" or "happenstance". Way before the act occurred, there was some thought put into the matter.
  6. Jilloutthebox Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    I totally agree with you.  An affair is calculated.  There are certain boundaries that we should not have to explain to a committed spouse.  Once you start crossing those, it's not rocket science where it will lead. 
  7. Mrsnina78 Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    love this article!
  8. Desiree Coleman Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    Love the article "Affairs Don't Just Happen" on @blackandmarried and its true.  Whether its b/c of action (showing to much interest in someone that leads to infidelity) or inaction (failing to guard your heart)...it is a choice.
  9. lonely wife Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    I agree that affairs don' just happen. But I know that when a partner is constantly rejected you open yourself up to other things out of being lonely and rejected. I am not in anyway condoning infidelity I am just saying there are multiple ways it can happen.
  10. Cassdurham Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    "Furthermore, I believe it insults a spouse’s intelligence when one person says, “Oh, it just happened.” If you were bold enough to step outside of the marriage, the least you can be is bold enough to take responsibility for your actions." Can I get a whoop, whoop and an amen.
  11. Maya Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    VERY WELL-written article!And THANK YOU! "Just happened" - please STOP KIDDING YOURSELF. SAFEGUARD your relationship!!!
    • Dr. Michelle Johnson Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
      Thank you Maya. I agree. safeguarding your relationship is important. 
  12. Anonymous Thursday - 12 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    My best friend ,she just has announced her wedding with a millionaire young man Ronald who is the CEO of a MNC ! They met via RichFlirt.org....it's where for men and women looking for comp'anionship for a fabu'lous lifestyle, maybe you want to try it out :) . …you don’t have to be rich there ,but you can meet one. It's worth a try.
  13. Bgdady68 Friday - 13 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    I am not condoning affairs however as a man who can almost never get that spontaneous time with my wife because there always seems to be something more important to her that has to be done right then, and when I attempt to talk about how I feel about it I am just being selfish. So I can understand how it could just happen with someone else. P.S. I have not been unfaithful to my wife however I can see how it could happen.
  14. Anew Life Friday - 13 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    Hello, I agree 100% with this article. Adultery starts with the THOUGHT LIFE first. Thinking improper thoughts about someone who isn't married to you, then spending too much time with them is a sure road to falling into the bed of another. If one is honest with themselves it didn't just happen.
  15. Mrs.G Friday - 13 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    "It just happened" is the statement made when someone is ready to take accountability for their actions.  Thank you for shedding light on this. Some author's on this subject advocate and excuse this behavior. 
    • Mrs.G Friday - 13 / 01 / 2012 Reply
      Sorry, should read "not ready".
  16. Oneboobee Friday - 13 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    Love your article!!! Affairs do not just happen they are planned and moved upon. You are so right where you said "When you should have been talking to your spouse, you were talking to someone else or the saddest one "When you should have been having sex with your spouse you were depriving them and giving it to someone else". After one too many it was time to walk away. I am thankful that you spoke the truth!!!!!
  17. Cescyia Friday - 13 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    I agree things just don't happen by accident.  Some people entertain what life would be like if they were with another individual, but in the end it is not worth it.  The individuals involved do not think about  the risk that they are causing "the ones they love".  I really pray that people seek God before agreeing to marry somebody.
  18. Lisa Vargas Friday - 13 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    This is why married people should not have friends of the opposite sex..Let's be realistic..this is Why this happens in the first place.You put yourself into temptation..what do you expect???If your husband /wife has phone conversations and or texting the opposite sex..Expect infidelity..
  19. Lisa Vargas Friday - 13 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    I'm not a black woman..this applies to all women..no matter what color you are..People are people..I find your articles interesting..
  20. Michelle Chaney Friday - 13 / 01 / 2012 Reply
       Love This Article. I have only been married 1yr & I read this site alot. We have not encountered any cheating but I love how you say "All of these actions don’t just happen; they are planned and executed with the hopes of not getting caught." Me & my husband have discussed cheating & I have always said this. I am glad to see I am not the only wife in the world who feels this way. I also love how you talk about it "just happening" with your spouse!!! That sounds ALOT like me & my babe lol.. THANKS AGAIN FOR ANOTHER WONDERFUL ARTICLE!!!!
  21. Johnbrw Saturday - 14 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    Nobody sets out to get married and cheat. When you talk to your partner that your needs are not being met what are you supposed to do? http://discuss.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/01/28/3823381-my-wife-doesnt-want-to-have-sex-what-do-i-do#comments 
  22. Slynnbut Sunday - 15 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    I totally agree!!! If you spend the time and energy making things happen in your marriage then their should be no time for slip ups! Don't even put yourself in situations where things "just happen" with someone outside of your circle.
  23. mumof4 Sunday - 15 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    i too believed a man i once loved so much and he told me it just happened until one day i realised these things dont just happen. He probably never did love me even after four children he still found the time to love another am hurting am a christian i forgave him for the kids sake i still tolerate his constant lies. Living together is hell trying to make it a loving home for the kids but deep down i cry myself to sleep. He says his sorry and hates to see me in so much pain but why does he do it to me that i will never know
  24. sugamama Saturday - 21 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    Some men cheat to see if they still "got it".  Well, if it takes cheating for a man to see if he still "has it", then maybe, he never had it to begin with.
  25. laketarenal Wednesday - 09 / 05 / 2012 Reply
    I too agree affairs don't just happen. It's not a mistake nor is it a game when you repeated take your wedding ring off every other week, or give a woman you meet your cell phone number while you're supposed to be at work (or take her number to contemplate calling her after the next argument). You also don't throw I want a divorce around each and everytime someone doesn't do or say what you want them to say. When you exchange vows with someone and live as man and wife with someone for X number of years just how do you think you're falling in love with someone else? Because this person makes you laugh? Doesn't argue with you? Gives you affection on demand? Newsflash anyone that gets caught up in a situation with you like this and knows you're married deserves exactly what he or she gets. Heartache and pain. It's inevitable because this relationship started with lies...
  26. soulman Monday - 14 / 05 / 2012 Reply
    I partly agree and partly disagree. I think both people in a marriage must stay vigilant to keep the marriage strong. I don't think EVERYONE who cheats sets out to do so. Often times there is something lacking in the marriage and that person happens to find what he or she lacks outside of the marriage by simple personal interactions with members of the opposite sex. Let us say a wife continuously expresses to her husband how she needs more communication in the marriage the husband does little or nothing to make the situation better. There could be a co-worker or old friend that she starts to confide in not intending to cheat but now the husband’s lack of attention to this issue has opened the door. When wives use sex as a bargaining tool, or go long periods of time not having sex with their husbands, and the husband brings it up as an issue only to be told, "your being selfish", or "is that all you think about?" She may be opening the door to that secretary or old college friend. We have a responsibility in our marriages to try to accommodate the other's needs even if we "don't feel like talking because the game is on" or "don't feel like doing it because we are tired" to do our best to keep the door to infidelity shut. If a good husband or a good wife are getting their needs met at home there will be no need to stray.
    • Angela Monday - 14 / 05 / 2012 Reply
      I TOTALLY agree.
  27. Dianne M. Daniels Monday - 14 / 05 / 2012 Reply
    Affairs DO NOT just happen! An affair, is, by my definition, a relationship (however shallow) built OUTSIDE of marriage. A relationship is not built in one day - no way, no how. A one-night-stand does not a relationship make. One could POSSIBLY make the argument that a one-night-stand was the fault of alcohol, the influence of an illegal substance, or just plain LUST, but an affair involves more than one occasion and the involvement of another person's FREE WILL. No excuses!
  28. Bibi Monday - 14 / 05 / 2012 Reply
    No
  29. wd40 Monday - 14 / 05 / 2012 Reply
    keep god in you at all time...

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