The lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,
And her mouth is smoother than oil.
But the result is as bitter as poison,
Sharp as a double-edged sword.

Married Man: The above counsel, found in Proverbs 5:3-4, is meant for you, regardless of the current state of your marriage.
If your marriage is in shambles right now due to adulterous acts on your behalf (whether acted out or in your heart), this counsel is for you. Or if your marriage is currently in tiptop condition, this counsel definitely applies to you so that you will know how to continue to keep your marriage pure.

The Lord is a proponent of marriage between a husband and wife who are first committed to Him, and then each other. He has deemed marriage holy (Hebrews 13:4), and has intended for godly offspring to be produced from the union (Malachi 2:15).

Of the many threats to maintaining a pure marriage relationship, two of the biggest are wandering eyes and lustful thoughts that are not actively resisted and junked.

Daily, married men who love their wives are assaulted with an array of appetizing female sights and sounds. These men, though committed to their wives, are tempted by body parts, beautiful faces, sexy clothing, and sensual talk. Our heavenly Father knew these times of testing would come, so He lovingly gave us practical advice in Proverbs to help us remain holy in our covenant with Him and our wife.

He has told us to run away from the immoral woman, not to go near her house, and to refrain from lusting over her beauty in our heart (Proverbs 5:9; 6:23).

The "immoral woman" in Proverbs can represent another man's wife, a prostitute, or any woman who is not your wife who has caught your attention, aroused your curiosity, and infiltrated your thought-life.

Though this woman may be a Christian, a friend of the family, or an all-around good person, she can become a quick way to pain and disgrace if you refuse to obey the Lord's command. She may appear to meet your immediate needs of pleasure, but the promised results are as "bitter as poison, as sharp as a double-edged sword."

The list of atrocities stemming from committing adultery range from loss of honor and money to a diseased body (Proverbs 5:7-14). Many a man has seen his life ruined because of a few minutes of pleasure. Many a wife has seen her life damaged due to her husband's lack of discretion and discipline. Many a child has grown up with step-parents due to their biological father's refusal to keep his marriage pure.

Fortunately, we have not been left down in this sex-crazed world without help and answers. God's solution to keeping your marriage pure begins with a healthy sex life between husband and wife.

We're told in verses 15-17:
Drink water from your own well - share your love only with your wife. Why spill the water of your springs in public, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Don't share it with strangers.

Verses 18-20 continue:
Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife or your youth. She is a loving doe, a graceful deer. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, with an immoral woman, or embrace the breasts of an adulterous woman?

In these verses, we're clearly shown God's plan for husbands and wives sexually. Though there are various reasons why regular sexual relations don't take place between husbands and wives, the fact still remains that this is God's best for marriages.

First Corinthians 7 tells how the wife's body belongs to the husband, and vice versa. Neither is to deny the other sexual relations. Though the husband may have done or said something to hurt the wife, the bible still commands for sexual relations to take place. Obviously, the wife must be purposely exercising the love of God to give in to her husband's request despite his failures.

I personally believe that most husbands are driven to adultery, pornography, and other sexual misconduct because their wives are refusing to give them their marital right of sexual relations. God's intention is for the sex life between husband and wife to be so good that no other woman is needed to satisfy the husband and vice versa (Proverbs 27:7). God's plan works when we submit ourselves to the plan - regardless of what we think about the plan.

Keeping a pure marriage takes work in this highly sexual society, but it is doable. Through committment to being pure, grace from the Lord, and support from godly wives; husbands can make sure that their marriage (from their end) remains pure.

Married men: accept the challenge to be pure in your marriage, and to keep the immoral woman out of your affairs. You'll look back years from now and be glad that you did.


** You may e-mail Kevin Bullard and read other articles on relationships, family, marriage and much more at www.understandthebible.org**