Window Shopping and Marriage

Hey All,

Today it seems the more we look at advertising, Movies, and Television that society is promoting more filth and unhealthy relationships. When we take it back to the beginning in Genesis, it is not what God had designed. Let’s look at Genesis 1:27-29 God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth. So God instituted marriage to procreate and fill the earth but this was before the fall. So let’s dig a little deeper as we explore the Sixth (6) Commandment on God’s view of a healthy marriage and Man’s influence to remove the purity of it all.

The Sixth Commandment

Thou shalt not commit adultery

What Does this mean: We should fear and love god that we may lead a chaste and decent life in word and deed, and each love and honor his spouse.

What does God Want or NOT want us to do?

We saw in the 4th Commandment that God places a high priority on parents and I would argue that the institution of marriage is just as high if not higher in order with God. Why? Because as we saw in Genesis it was instituted to fill the earth and we would not have children or parents without first marriage and love. Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 19:4-6 Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made Male and Female, and said, For this reason a man will leave his Father and his Mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become ONE flesh. What therefore God has put together let no man separate. Paul also lifted up marriage in Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will be the judge. Many times when we review this commandment on the surface we just go for the obvious, the physical act of adultery, yet it requires so much more. Paul tells us that are bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 6:19 or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own. When we commit the act of adultery we are openly defiling God’s temple! As spouses our job is to “defend the honor” of our bride and any other individual who is being harmed by our own words or actions, or the actions of the group we are associated. How many times have we heard “chivalry is dead” as men do not act as gentlemen any longer and treat women with respect. In my younger years, I would marginalize this as I am just “window shopping or joking around with the guys“. Let’s be honest, those “jokes or looks” were not lifting up the individual in a pure praise like manner. Until this week I did know this was actually specifically discussed in Ephesians 5:4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or course jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. I am not sure this would have changed my younger years but let’s all train our children in this verse as God’s word has an impact on all those who hear. Jesus also said in Matthew 5:28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. This verse I have been very familiar with and I thank God for it. So what should we do to keep from focusing on things we shouldn’t? Let’s look at Philippians 4:8 Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is right, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence, and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Remove the temptation! It’s not always easy but sometimes we have to break ties with the people who might be dragging us down. As Paul said above focus on with is pure! God’s Word! Pray! The more we fill up on good things the less room there will be for the tempting things. It’s never easy to make a change of this nature if it has been apart of our lifestyle for years, much like the language I used, but the only way to overcome is to take every day new and put your best effort forward.

So to wrap up

I wrote this Blog this week from a male perspective. That in no way means that women do not struggle in the same areas. It does not seem correct to me to discuss a perspective that I have no experience or prior knowledge. God’s word is clear on His expectations for us no matter male or female and if we will focus on His word the Holy Spirit will convict us of any needed change.

Father I lift up all the married couples today and thank you for them! Lord if they are struggling, I ask that your Holy Spirit intervene with them to find reconciliation. Lord I also lift up those who are still seeking to find their life long match. If there are any who are struggling with lifting their neighbors up in wholesome praise or truly defending their honor, I ask that you intervene with their challenge. Lord you know that Jesus was a God of second, third and fourth chances, help all that are struggling to find a deeper relationship with you and push out all the non-wholesome thoughts. We thank you for your provision on a daily basis and ask it all in Jesus name. Amen? AMEN!