Today’s scripture: Proverbs 6:20-35 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Lynnette Pullen):
I met my husband when I was in high school. It was not love at first sight though! We went out with some friends to the mall and a movie. At first we made it clear that we were not interested in each other, but our friends kept pushing us together. By the end of the night the fire had been ignited.
We were inseparable after that. We even stayed on the phone line all night while sleeping just to feel that we were closer to each other. We dated for several years until I graduated from high school. We married soon after. Everyone who knew us said we were perfect together. We started our family and began to make our way in life.
Slowly but surely my husband began to change. I noticed that he was less attentive to me and spent more time at work. We grew more and more distant. We argued more and he seemed so different. At one point we actually separated for some time to discover if this is what we really wanted. We joined back together after about a year apart and re-bonded. We had another child and began to heal our wounds.
But, then it began again — the distance, the arguments, and the disappearing acts. This time I was a little older and wiser. I soon uncovered a long history of affairs. The impact was devastating and we ultimately divorced. The heartache was so crushing it was tangible. I would often rub my chest over my heart in an attempt to soothe the pain. I remember crying so hard that it caused me to go into coughing fits. I remember staring at the faces of my kids and wondering how I was going to explain that our family was breaking apart.
I was angry, hurt, and resentful. I regularly mourned the loss of my family, my dream, and my love, all because he chose to commit adultery. He chose to step outside of what he knew to be right and good. Looking back, I’m certain he did not think of the long term effects of his behavior. When we commit a sin do we think of the others it may impact? Or do we only think of the pleasure of the sin?
I think the especially enticing nature of adultery is that somehow it prevents the offender from seeing past the moment of sin. There is also the illusion that it will always remain secret. I believe that is why it there are so many warnings against it in scripture. The adultery in my marriage had caused a ripple effect of hurt and pain that I would never have imagined.
If you are in a committed relationship and adultery is crossing your mind, please reconsider. I say this not to judge or condemn but to lovingly warn.
Prayer for today: God, the temptation to cheat can be overwhelming. There are daily messages of invitations into adultery all over. Please help those of us who are easily led astray. Give us self-control and sound advice. Thank you.
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