Optimal Living Magazine | Dr. Jason Ottley
No! So, what separates men who cheat from those who don't? Is cheating innate? Does it follow the notion of supply and demand? How can you discern a man who won't cheat versus a man who will?
For as long as I can remember, our nation has wrestled to discover the answers to these heart wrenching questions. The root of the issue is one in which we do not readily address. And because the root is so simple in nature, many will assume it is more complex than it really is. We value the incredible theorems and long exasperated dialogue rather than accept the simple truth that our problems and issues all point in one direction. That single direction is YOU.
While many of today's men have not been taught how to be successful in relationships, one trait that many men have not let go of is: selfishness. Selfishness is the root of all cheating. While men have been traditionally flagged as being unfaithful, the reality is men can't be unfaithful alone. There is an accomplice who participates in this selfish act. In some instances, the accomplice is unaware of the relationship he is in while in other cases the accomplice is vividly aware. Whatever the case, either one or both parties are being selfish - or have they taken on the attitude of I want what I want, when I want it; no matter what the expense is or who gets hurt.
God planned that everything in His creation would be a blessing to others. The philosopher James penned these words in the New Testament, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." The whirlwind of relationships that we experience in repetitive cycles are a result of envy and selfish ambition. If you want to help others with this selfish act that has torn the emotional hymen of many hearts across the globe, focus on helping someone overcome selfishness. When a man recognizes he is selfish and in turn works to change it, his level of commitment to all of his relationships will inevitably get better.