This is the first article in a series about adultery.
It’s another one of those Friday days. It’s the night that the weekend begins. It’s the day that the sunshine shines in. It’s another beautiful Friday.
It’s also the day that many people begin getting in trouble. They drink too much. Party too much. Or even indulge too much. But, oh, not I! I never get myself into trouble. I am never out of order. I never indulge too much. I never commit adultery.
“YES YOU DO!” says the Lord, my God. And, of course, I asked Him, “How do you figure that Mighty One?” You see during this select conversation with the Lord, I figured He could not trump me on this one. He knew me but I also knew me too. And, there has been no other but my husband. But, guess what? He knows me so intimately that God started to reveal to me all of the ways I commit adultery and what adultery really means.
Right! You are right! And, yes I do know that adultery means voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man and someone other than his wife or between a married woman and someone other than her husband. And, I do know that intercourse means physical sexual contact between individuals that involves the genitalia of at least one person. All those definitions come from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
But, see God’s definitions are so different. He looks at the world quite different than you or I. He looks at the inner man. He holds us to a higher standard than we would even hold our enemies. He wants those who are called according to His name and that of His son to be on a higher plane, a different playing field.
So what does this playing field encompass? What are the rules for this higher plane? How does God view adultery? In answer to that question, God does view adultery the same way as the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. And, He has the same view of intercourse that Merriam Webster Dictionary does too. But, God has a bigger view of adultery.
You see, adultery to God is anything that you do which interferes with His plan and purposes for marriage. And, of course that could be just about anything. But guess what? He actually has about 6 groupings for adultery.
For instance, the very first one is the love slash adultery thang. Yes, as mentioned above God does view you having intercourse with anyone besides your spouse adultery. He also views intimacy with anyone who is not your spouse to be committing adultery. Now get this being intimate with someone does not have to include intercourse. Did you hear me? I mentioned that getting intimate with someone does not have to include intercourse.
Intimacy comes in many different forms. Holding conversations with someone about your hopes, dreams, failures, and purposes in life is being intimate with that person. You are giving them insight into your inner being. And, giving someone insight into who you are at your essence is being intimate with them. Sharing your secrets, speaking about the failures or joys of your life is being intimate with someone. Enjoying hobbies, movies, new foods, and experiences with someone is being intimate. Planning trips, discussing finances, and even just spending time with a person is being intimate.
Now don’t jump on me here. I know some of these intimate things are just being friendly. But see here, being friendly to people who are not your spouse and going overboard will lead to adultery. You can have friends. But, when you begin thinking about the next time you get to be in that person’s presence, you have now found yourself in the throws of being intimate with another person besides your spouse. And, intimacy with others beside your spouse is committing adultery in God’s eyes.
Whew, that plane is definitely higher than one I would place myself or even my enemies, let alone my friends. Does this mean I can’t go to lunch with the people at work who are mainly of the opposite sex because I could become intimate with them and commit adultery in God’s eyes? Maybe it is. Do you expend all of your energy for those at work but not for your spouse? Would you rather go to that new restaurant with your work buddies than your spouse? Does your friend understand you better than your spouse? Then, you are in the throws of an intimate relationship with someone other than your spouse.
One thing I do know is intimacy and the feelings of it are the things that draw us closer to our mates. It is the thing that caused us to get married in the first place. It’s the reason we are on this path of marriage, especially God’s way, anywho. It was that drawing together of two souls, intertwining them, and seeing how perfect they fit that drew us to our spouse.
And, by the way, all of this intimacy talk is remind me that it’s time for me to get a little intimate with my honey. It’s time for me to listen to his hopes, dreams and cares. And, time for me to share with him mine. So, here I go. I am plunging into the intimacy pool. A little candle light, apple cider, and soft jazz is in order. The kids are in bed before bedtime. And, now it’s time to commune. So, all I can say to that is “THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY!”
Read more: http://elev8.com/daily-offerings/adultery-everyones-doing-it/#ixzz0VFy4VYer
