Trusting and Showing Trustworthiness: A 3-Day Marriage Planਨਮੂਨਾ

Safety Rules

"Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?" (Proverbs 6:28)

The surest way to avoid an affair is to flee temptation as soon as it confronts you. Author Jerry Jenkins has referred to this determination to preserve moral purity as “building hedges” around marriage so that temptation is never given a foothold. You take steps to protect yourself and enhance the trust level in your marriage at the same time.

How? Talk with your partner about your interactions with the opposite sex, then establish sensible, sensitive guidelines. Some couples rule out lunch with a coworker, traveling together, talking alone behind closed doors, sharing rides, or working as a “couple” on a project. Agree on what you both consider reasonable, then stick to that agreement. If you’re faced with a situation that you haven’t discussed, ask your spouse about it beforehand, and if he or she isn’t comfortable with it, don’t do it. Listen to each other’s concerns. The Lord has made you “one flesh” for good reason.

At first, it may seem strange to ask for permission to take part in what’s probably a completely innocent activity. But you’ll quickly discover how wonderfully reassuring it feels when the situation is reversed and your partner is the one asking you!

Questions for Today...

• Is your spouse comfortable with your behavior around members of the opposite sex?
• Is there anything you should do differently?
• Are you praying enough that God would protect you from temptation? What does Proverbs 6:28 mean to you?

Prayer . . .

Dear God, I want to protect my marriage from any threat. I want to live freely and securely as a result of having chosen to live wisely. By Your Spirit, show me how to honor my spouse and please You. Amen.

(Excerpted from Dr. James and Shirley Dobson’s book, Night Light for Couples. Used with permission.)

Bonus Content: Hedges

How can we keep cracks from developing in the sidewalks of our marriages? The surest way to avoid an affair is to flee temptation as soon as it confronts you. Author Jerry Jenkins has referred to this determination to preserve moral purity as "building hedges" around marriage so that temptation is never given a foothold. You take steps to protect yourself and enhance the level of trust in your marriage at the same time.