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Affair-Proof Your Relationship
'...Be careful not to fall.' 1 Corinthians 10:12 CEV
Most people don’t plan on getting into an affair. They just happened to be with the wrong person, at the wrong time, in the wrong frame of mind. The Bible plainly warns, ‘Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall.’ When you think, ‘It couldn't happen to me,’ you’re a target for Satan!
So how can you affair–proof your marriage? By consistent communication.
(1) Communicate regularly with God. Jesus said, ‘…when you pray, [say]…Give us this day our daily bread’ (Matthew 6:7–11 NKJV). Daily communication with God arms you against marital mischief. He also knew you’d need to pray together. ‘Our Father…give us…forgive us our sins’ (Matthew 6:9–12 NLT) assumes we’re needy people praying together. Couples pray-ing together are harder to pry apart.
(2) Communicate faithfully with God’s Word. Books about marriage can inform you, but only the Bible, God’s marriage manual, has the power to transform your life together. Shared Bible reading illuminates your understanding; it exposes, sensitises, and purifies your hearts’ intentions; it safeguards your relationship.
(3) Communicate openly with each other. Build ‘relationship hedges’ so that temptation doesn't get a foothold. Establish sensible guidelines for interacting with the opposite sex. Be open and honest with each other about your social, workplace and church relationships. Anything that makes your spouse uncomfortable should be noted, and, where possible changed. Next to God, you are each other’s best protection against failure. So, listen, learn, and love!
written by Bob Gass
'...Be careful not to fall.' 1 Corinthians 10:12 CEV
Most people don’t plan on getting into an affair. They just happened to be with the wrong person, at the wrong time, in the wrong frame of mind. The Bible plainly warns, ‘Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall.’ When you think, ‘It couldn't happen to me,’ you’re a target for Satan!
So how can you affair–proof your marriage? By consistent communication.
(1) Communicate regularly with God. Jesus said, ‘…when you pray, [say]…Give us this day our daily bread’ (Matthew 6:7–11 NKJV). Daily communication with God arms you against marital mischief. He also knew you’d need to pray together. ‘Our Father…give us…forgive us our sins’ (Matthew 6:9–12 NLT) assumes we’re needy people praying together. Couples pray-ing together are harder to pry apart.
(2) Communicate faithfully with God’s Word. Books about marriage can inform you, but only the Bible, God’s marriage manual, has the power to transform your life together. Shared Bible reading illuminates your understanding; it exposes, sensitises, and purifies your hearts’ intentions; it safeguards your relationship.
(3) Communicate openly with each other. Build ‘relationship hedges’ so that temptation doesn't get a foothold. Establish sensible guidelines for interacting with the opposite sex. Be open and honest with each other about your social, workplace and church relationships. Anything that makes your spouse uncomfortable should be noted, and, where possible changed. Next to God, you are each other’s best protection against failure. So, listen, learn, and love!
written by Bob Gass
