"Marriage should be honored...for God will judge the adulterer and...the immoral." Hebrews 13:4 NIV
A Sunday school teacher named Carla said, "My Sunday school class of first-graders was learning the Ten Commandments. When we got to 'Thou shalt not commit adultery,' I wondered if I'd have to explain it. Sure enough, a seven-year old girl raised her hand and asked, 'What does commit mean?'"
Truly, if we live by impulse instead of commitment, our marriages will suffer. The word "commitment" is best described in the traditional wedding vows. (Remember those?) "Will you have this woman (or man) to be your lawfully wedded wife (or husband)...to live together in God's holy ordinance of marriage...to be faithful...in good times and bad, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, remain faithful to her (or him)?" That's what we all said before God!
A hotel (which shall remain nameless) displayed a sign on its bulletin board for motorists to read that said: "HAVE YOUR NEXT AFFAIR WITH US!" That's not funny when you consider the ramifications! A prominent psychiatrist said, "I've counseled thousands of couples, and I've yet to meet my first happy adulterer."
The results are always the same: shame, fear, loss, loneliness and depression. When we violate our own integrity, it's hard to live in our own skin. Please don't be deceived by celebrities who hop from bed to bed...to bed. One of the best kept secrets of marital success isn't finding the right person, it's BECOMING the right person.
The Bible teaches that we are to care about the spiritual, emotional, material and sexual needs of our spouses. As we've urged in previous series - we urge today - start discussing these issues. And, if you find it difficult to talk about them, please get help. Your marriage is worth fighting for!
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