Marital Faithfulness
Proverbs 5:21-23 lists three reasons for us to be faithful to our spouse: God is watching, wickedness ensares, and we could die (physically or spiritually).
But the real reason we maintain moral purity and practice our love at home is because of God. In verse 21 Solomon provides a strong theological rationale for morality: God sees everything we do. Even if our marriages are not always as satisfying as we would like for them to be, we still maintain faithfulness because God is the author of our lives and marriages. The honor we hold for God invites his ethic into our relationship.
Marriage is not just husband and wife. Marriage is husband, wife and God. Malachi says that "the Lord God made them one. In flesh and spirit they are his ... So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth." (Malachi 2:15).
If we truly honor God we will likewise honor our spouses. The love we have for God leads to a deep respect for our husband or wife. While we experience pleasure in the physical relationship together, we can never view our spouse as an object of pleasure. He or she is our covenant partner.
The respect we practice ensures that we will treat our partner’s feelings and body with dignity and honor. We will never belittle them or hurt them, and we will certainly not step out on them. The basis for treating our spouse with this level of dignity is not simply that we don’t want to get caught and embarrassed, but that we honor God.
Warren Baldwin
This is part of a larger article which you can read here: A Blessed Fountain, based on Proverbs 5:15-23.
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20 comments:
Warren - Marriage is such a beautiful gift! My husband became my best friend when I met Jesus. I have found that as I continue in close relationship with my Father honoring my spouse is not a chore, it is a constant desire of my heart. Thank you Jesus, that you write your ways on our hearts as we commune with you! Thanks for the post Warren!
Great post, as usual.
My, how I've been blessed with a great marriage for 43 years this coming July! I still recall what was told to us. Marriage is like an equilateral triangle, with God at the apex and each one of us at a corner. The closer we get to God the closer we will be to each other!! What a terrific picture! Same as your thoughts!
Thanks Warren, your thoughts are always encouraging and insightful!
This sings Unconditional Love. Agape Love. Well said!
Hi Warren. I'm not sure where the pic was taken. It was sent to me in an Email, and like you, i really like it. Thanks for your comment. God is working on me..I just need to be more "workable".
Great post as always Warren! So true, marriage should be a three person relationship with the Lord included! Amen! Of course, he should be included in all that we do....do you know when I go riding...I ask Jesus to ride double with me? I'm never alone.
To answer your question on the abusive manner in which this man is treating his horse, yes, I have heard of this and have seen the method used by many! And many other unspeakable torture methods by a well known trainer as of recent broke a horses jaw....Google it and you'll find interesting stories. Unfortunately, even so called "trainers", horse owners and many cowboys of old also did this while breaking a horse, reasoning that "it teaches them manners". And yes, if they abuse an animal they are not beyond using the same abusive tactics on the human kind. The methods we use are working with the horses' natural flight instinct (to flee harms way or danger in the wild).... not against it. We think like the horse thinks not how a human thinks a horse should behave! We want our horses to be our partners that want to be with us and work for us. There is nothing more rewarding to me than to have a 1200 LB equine submit to my verbal command (or body movement)because he wants to please. I'm only 5'2"! On that same note, because of their size are always proactive when I'm working with them. Too many people do it halfway, preoccupied by other things, in a hurry or not paying attention to what the horse is telling them.....that's when people and horses get hurt. Well, I'll stop babbling but this makes me so angry when people take out their issues of life on a helpless animal. You did the right thing. Thanks for stopping by for a visit! Luanne
I should say whomever reported him did the right thing so that this horse can have a chance to be reformed. I was meaning to say....because of their size I'm always proactive instead of reactive.
Good subject to write about. Not too many "this is how it is-no ambiguity" resources on this subject.
blessings,
Larie
This is a great post! Considering the fact that there are so many divorces left and right. I think it's very important to include God in this union. And that's what's missing sometimes.
God bless.
Warren,
Well said in such a time in our society where marriage is often looked upon as disposible if the feelings are there anymore!
I think we need to be stronger when it comes to defending our marriages but also the true definition of marriage as God intended it to be.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Nicely said, Warren. And oh, so true.
Very important thoughts...it is so important to love AND RESPECT our partners and to stay steadfast...
Good post. Thanks!
The first thought that came to mind as I read your post was the first 8 verses from Psalm 139 they danced across my mind. God knows everything.
This post is much needed in our world that has forgotten God.
Another wonderful post. These would be perfect words and advice for all people in a relationship, be they newlyweds or a couple together for 50 years.
Mervat.
Triune God.
Triune marriage.
Husband, wife, God.
I remember this from the Truth Project.
Thanks for posting about marriage. It's much needed in today's culture.
How I long to give our children an ongoing picture of a loving relationship and of the blessing God intends marriage to be.
As I know my children now will build their own life with a partner, the preciousness of the married relationship has been more profound than I ever would have imagined. How I hope my children will love and be loved well.
I try to respond to everybody that writes ... sorry I didn't get to for this post. But I do want you all to know I appreciate your visits and comments.
I am glad for all the comments about good marriages ... Karin's for 43 years! One thing I hope Family Fountain does is encourages the kind of attitudes and behaviors necessary to help us all reach 43 years and beyond.
Tea With Tiffany - we haven't watched the Truth Project yet (we have it and are working out a time for it), but I really like this triune concept of marriage.
Things We Carried - I think we are all hoping/praying this for our children ... that they will be in marriages that last the long haul.
Thank you al1!
Great post Warren! This is something I need to work on.
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