How do I protect myself from getting into an adulterous relationship? - Adultery - TouchPoints

Matthew 15:19From the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.

James 1:14-15Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

The seeds of adultery are planted in the garden of the heart. We must keep careful watch over what desires are planted in our hearts—through what we read, watch, or think about. These seemingly small seeds have the capacity to grow into bigger sins with dangerous consequences. The more we think about an inappropriate relationship, the more we start justifying why it would be okay for us in our circumstances. Over time, what we know to be wrong starts to feel right to us. And that is when we lose the battle.

Proverbs 2:16Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.

1 Corinthians 10:13The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

God promises wisdom to those who ask him for it (James 1:5). Wisdom helps us recognize the early warning signs that we are moving in the wrong direction. Sometimes these warning signs are as subtle as lingering thoughts or inappropriate words. As we grow in wisdom, we can ask God to strengthen our self-control, enabling us not only to recognize temptation as it starts but also to resist it.

Job 31:1“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.”

Proverbs 4:25-27Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

If looking can lead us into adultery, then not looking can often help us avoid it. It can be challenging to have “faithful eyes,” but it is a key to success in avoiding adultery.

Proverbs 5:3-9The lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. For she cares nothing about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it. So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say: Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house! If you do, you will lose your honor and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.

1 Corinthians 10:12If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.

The best way to resist temptation is to avoid temptation whenever possible. When faced with temptation, we might be lured into thinking that we can “handle it,” but the best course is to run away and not look back (read Genesis 39:1-20).

Proverbs 5:15, 18Drink water from your own well—share your love only with your wife . . . Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her . . . In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. . . . So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Titus 2:4These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children.

Adultery is more likely if we allow discontentment to creep into our hearts. Stay connected with your spouse emotionally and physically and think about the things you love about him or her. We tend to care deeply for all the things we invest our time and emotional energy in.