Go Straight Home

“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

One of the great fears of many husbands and wives is that their partner will be unfaithful—an understandable concern, considering that nearly half of American marriages end in divorce, many because of infidelity. We must always be alert for Satan’s attacks on marriage.

I (jcd) remember one trap in particular that the enemy laid for me. Shirley and I had been married just a few years when we had a minor spat. I got in the car and drove around for an hour to cool off. As I was on my way home, a very attractive girl drove up beside me and smiled. She was obviously flirting with me. She slowed down, looked back, and turned onto a side street. I knew she was inviting me to follow her.

I didn’t take the bait; I went straight home and made up with Shirley. But I thought later about how quickly Satan had taken advantage of our conflict and my momentary vulnerability. That’s how he operates. Expect him to lay a trap for you, too. Just make sure your partner can count on you to come home when temptation drives up.

Just between us…

• What does God’s Word say about adultery? (We encourage you to take the time to review Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:20; 20:10; Proverbs 7; Malachi 3:5; Matthew 5:27–28; Mark 10:11–12; John 8:1–11; Romans 7:2–3; Ephesians 5:3–5; and Hebrews 13:4.)
• What does God promise regarding temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)?
• How can we “affair proof ” our marriage?

Lord, please give us wisdom and strength as we seek to affair-proof our marriage. Thank You for promising us a “way of escape” from temptation. Amen.

• From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
  Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.