First of all, I commend you for your refusal to give in to his demands; God will reward you for your faithfulness to His moral standards. I trust that in time He’ll bring across your path a godly man who loves Christ and will love and respect you as his wife.

This person’s deceitfulness is tragic, and I know this has been a shock to you. When someone secretly scorns God and is only concerned about what they can get for themselves, there may be few limits to their hypocrisy. No wonder the Bible warns that “The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts” (Ecclesiastes 9:3).

Don’t let this experience, however, shake your faith in God’s goodness and love. He knows all about you, and you can trust Him for your future. And remember: not everyone is like this person. Ask God to give you discernment and wisdom in your relationships, and seek His will and not just your own. The Bible says, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him. … Wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:5, 7).

As a footnote, how can you avoid this situation in the future? One way is to note not only what someone says, but what they’ve done in the past. I doubt, for example, if this individual had ever been actively involved in a church— and that alone should have given you a hint of his true commitment.

Seeking peace? Find it here.