Let’s explore what those “other” options that I’ve seen begin to erode or actually break that early promise to forsake all others. The obvious choice is the one everyone thinks of first: adultery. The husband or wife engages in a sex act—hand, oral or vaginal--either one time or ongoing. This act could include one or many people.
A long-term affair can take place with one person over years or decades. Multiple affairs can include prostitutes, strip clubs, lap dances, and adult book stores including any gender.
I can attest to the fact that I’ve met many “religious” people who believe that as long as they didn’t actually have a sex act with an actual other person that they were keeping their wedding vow promise to their spouse. This promise can be utilized very legalistically within the Christian community.
When one commits to or feels strongly about the deeper spirit of the promise to forsake “all others” that isn’t just defined as having sex outside of marriage, then the promise is a priority promise. This means that I put you above all other people or circumstances. As Christians, God always comes first. Second should be our spouse. Lovers know this intuitively. However, the paradigm of some husbands and wives might exclude this priority after marriage. Stay tuned as we further dive into the different areas of "others" that can impact your marriage.