In this sermon, the speaker uses a shocking wedding‑vow parable—where the groom vows fidelity “except when I’m in my cheating phase”—to illustrate how many Christians treat sin and backsliding as an acceptable “phase.” He argues that befriending the world is equivalent to hatred toward God, and that a “season of sin” cannot be justified. The speaker condemns the notion of a permissible backsliding period, urging believers to pursue unwavering holy living without compromise.
Chapters
Be honest, how would you respond if you witnessed a wedding ceremony like this? The bride and groom stood before the crowd of joyful friends and family. Moved by the beautiful ceremony, everyone watched with tear-filled eyes as the couple began to make their vows. The bride promised her love, devotion, and faithfulness. But when the groom made his vows, he shocked and angered all those in attendance. His vows were what you'd expect, standard and predictable, until he added, I promise to remain faithful to you, except when I'm in my cheating phase. Now, as ridiculous as this Parable sounds. Think about the fact that we often do this to God. You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Many Christians imagine that a backsliding phase or a season of sin is acceptable so long as they eventually return to holy living. But you don't have to accept this so-called phase in your Christian walk. At no point do you ever have to settle for anything less than holy living.
