Kugongewa si constant – The Biblical perspective
Kugongewa si constant.
Kugongewa. This statement was well summed up in the hit song Nairobi by Bensoul et al. The beauty of any relationship is the belief that both parties are in it for their own free will. Cheating has a lot of negative impacts on relationships.
It is fatalistic to expect infidelity and dishonor in our relationships and that all that is left is a sham and kugongewa. It is time to reexamine our creator’s plan for marriage and family. With this essay, I would like to change our focus from what is not working to what is working and what we can do in our capacity.
You shall not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14). Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:27-28) ups the threshold on the Sermon on the Mountain when he added that even lusting after someone else’s spouse is adultery.
What options does a man have?
If your spouse is cheating, it is not wise to react emotionally. You may not have evidence. You may have a business together or children and acting out of anger may hurt innocent children or affect your business.
Let us examine Potiphar’s wife and Uriah’s wife. In both cases, the husbands did not have a clue on what was happening.
Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:5-20).
In this biblical narrative, Potiphar’s wife unsuccessfully seduced Joseph – a handsome male servant in her household. Joseph could not however sin against God. The Bible depicts Potiphar as a good master. Potiphar was discerning enough to know that the Lord was with Joseph.
Uriah’s wife (2 Samuel 11:1-27)
Uriah the Hittite was one of King David’s Mighty Men (2 Samuel 23:39). He was a warrior and man of integrity. In today’s world, he would be a 6 pax, 6 figure, and 6 inches tall. This did not spare his life.
This reminds us of Abram when he lied that Sarai (his beautiful wife) was his sister in Genesis 12 and Genesis 20 because of fear of a more powerful man (Pharaoh, Abimelech).
Old Testament (Israel as the unfaithful)
Ezekiel 16, and Hosea 1-3, symbolized Israel as an unfaithful wife to God. Ezekiel 16 uses vivid imagery to describe Israel as a woman who commits adultery by worshiping other gods and breaking her covenant with God. This metaphor reinforces the gravity of spiritual unfaithfulness.
It also shows God’s willingness to forgive those who turn away from idolatry and follow his word.
New Testament (Forgiveness and grace)
Jesus Christ (John 8) is tested by the scribes and Pharisees who bring to him a woman found in adultery. According to the law of Moses, adulterers were stoned to death. He asks them if they have not sinned to throw the first stone. As the crowd dispersed, Christ said, “Go and sin no more”.