Speaking of Tiger...some thoughts on infidelity...

This is likely to be a disjointed post...again. As a Christian, I have some "unorthodox" views on marriage that other Christians find odd. But, that's for another time...

I want to address this Tiger Woods story, but more specifically the subject of marital infidelity.

I'm against it.

Now, in my younger days, I would rail against men who were unfaithful to their wives. To me, it was not so much a matter of "thou shalt not commit adultery," as it was "a man that can break that sacred trust will do anything!" I was strident in that opinion, and often spoke it.

But, as time rocked along, and I began to understand better my own faults, failings, sins, etc. it became almost a revelation from God: "Andy, your sins are just as grievous to God as theirs." In truth, our Savior taught us that even to "lust" brings us on par with the adulterer. Jesus strengthened "The Law" through His ministry...thus making perfection impossible for a man, save through the sacrifice of His blood, and our faith in said sacrifice.

So, SIN is SIN, and is all a stench in the nostrils of God. Forget "sin" for a moment...even an act of human "righteousness" smells like a 48 hour diaper, in contrast to the holiness of God.

As I grew older (and hopefully wiser), I came to know many men that had been unfaithful to their wives. And, I discovered that I was wrong in the assumption that their marital unfaithfulness meant that they "would do anything." It just simply was not the truth. Most of them had found forgiveness, redemption, and had regained trust...but some had not. And some never will. That is the "wage" that their sin paid them...a "death" of something very sacred, and settling...the complete trust of their spouse & family.

Tiger is stupid for not dealing with his problem before it blew his, and his family's life to pieces. In fact, he likely has some diagnosable psychosis that he's ignored. I hope he does deal with it, and puts the jigsaw puzzle back together, regardless of whether it will always be missing some pieces.

I have two dear friends (friends for over 30 years with both) that have recently found themselves in extramarital affairs. And both of them told me, "Andy, I NEVER thought this would happen to me. I NEVER in my wildest dreams thought I'd end up being unfaithful." But they were...and they are receiving a burdensome wage for it. So be on guard, fellows (and gals)! If it could happen to these two buddies of mine, I guar-on-tee that it can happen to any of us.

Let me wrap this up. Tiger Woods is a professional golfer...probably the greatest to ever play the game. As far as I know, there is not a "morals clause" to carry a PGA card. I could be wrong, but he's not the only horndog out there on the tour. His story will likely put a big old hickey on professional golf for a long, long time. In the eyes of many, Tiger "is golf."

But, he is not a Pastor that preaches against adultery. He is not a teacher responsible for shaping young minds. He is not an elected official responsible for making policy that truly impacts our lives. In my memory, I don't recall Tiger ever setting himself up as a "beacon" of morality. Maybe society has projected that onto him.

But, due to his obvious schizophrenia/spiritual imbalance/horndoggedness, perhaps we can all learn a lesson. Hey! I just thought of a really neat phrase that might just catch on..."You can't judge a book by its' cover!" (I might get some traction out of that one...remember, you heard it here first!)