Committed adultery and confessed your sin do you have to tell your spouse?

Question: If you have committed adultery and confessed your sin do you have to tell your spouse?

To answer your question: Yes, according to the Bible you still need to tell your spouse, even if you have confessed your sin to God. “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23)

Even though these verses are speaking of someone who has something against you, it also applies to any sin that is between ourselves and someone else. The very fact that you asked the question, shows that you know that you are not right with God yet, and you will not be until you get right with your spouse.

Also, doesn’t, your spouse have a right to know? Your spouse may have been exposed to STD’s. The Bible says, “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man [woman] does is outside the body, but he [she] who commits sexual immorality sins against his [her] own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

Now, if you are not a born again Christian, you will need to repent of your sins and receive Christ as your Lord and Savior. You do this by praying to Him, asking Him to forgive you for your sins and to come into you. “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39)

Jesus says He is standing at your hearts door knocking waiting for you to invite Him in. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

God loves you and is able and willing to forgive you, but you have to do your part, and that is getting right with God and with those you have offended. When my dad got saved he had to go to someone he cheated in gambling and pay him back $2000. This was a lot of money at that time, but it was a good testimony to that person. Also, it showed that he had truly changed!

You have not told us many details, so we don’t know if your spouse is saved or not. You will need to pray before you speak to him or her, whether they are saved or not. They may choose to leave you and really they have every right Scripturally if they want to do this. “…But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery…” (Matthew 5:32)

We are praying that you will make the right decision,

Gary Panell

For more information email me at [email protected]