The authors of a popular marriage book say we grow up believing the romance myth. We believe that if Cinderella happens to meet Prince Charming, they will live happily ever after. However, if friction arises or a couple “falls out of love,” they believe they married the wrong person and are destined to live “unhappily ever after” or need to get a divorce. In such a culture, marriage becomes a whimsical ideal rather than an accessible reality.
Jesus said, “You heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But, I say to you, anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery in his heart.” The commandment not to commit adultery was designed to protect marriage. In marriage, God mysteriously joins together two people and makes them one flesh (Genesis 2).
Keeping the sacred marriage bond intact is not always easy. King David, the second king of Israel, lusted after a woman. King David’s palace probably overlooked the city of Jerusalem. One spring evening, he went up on his roof. His eyes met a beautiful woman taking a bath. He should have turned away. But, he kept looking and lusting. He sent a servant to find out about her.
The authors of the book mentioned tell the story of Catherine. Catherine had been married seven years, when she found herself unexpectedly attracted to a coworker named Rob. Her initial feelings toward Rob seemed good and pure, not sexual. Then she started having strong emotional feelings toward him. One evening, while out for drinks with coworkers, she found herself telling Rob about her feelings. He said he wanted to pursue a relationship.
Jesus went on to say, “If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away. For it is better for one part of your body to perish than for your whole body to be cast into the place of judgement.” This was of course hyperbole, but with a point; guard the sacred bond of marriage, even if it means going to extreme measures.
King David ended up sleeping with Bathsheba, getting her pregnant, and orchestrating her husband’s death. Catherine, on the other hand, realized she needed to take responsibility for her actions and seek support from God and friends. She set boundaries and even was willing to leave her job to protect her marriage.
Attractions, lustful thoughts, TV shows, lingerie adds, pornography, all of these can be used as weapons to destroy what God united. Guard the sacred bond of marriage!
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Hi Mike! I really liked your blog posts that I’ve read. Very thought provoking and insightful. Hope you will write more!!