Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
5 November, 1997 - Singapore
Good Morning!
"SPIRITUAL ADULTERY"
PERHAPS WE HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF FINDING OURSELVES
ATTRACTED TOWARD SOMEONE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX...someone
other than our spouse. Subtly...INADVERTENTLY,
we could be drawn into an emotional involvement of "spiritual
adultery" that could ultimately lead to the
act of adultery.+
Here are a few of the vital warning signs:
The tendency to share private, intimate matters with a certain
acquaintance before having talked it out with our
spouse.
Finding more delight in being with a certain person other
than our spouse.
Spending inordinate amounts of time with one member of the
opposite sex. Catching ourselves inventing unnecessary
reasons to be apart with this person and away from the scrutiny
or interference of others.
Thinking that a certain person understands us better than
our spouse.
Comparing our spouse with this other person and finding
our mate coming up short.
Feeling youthful or "high" around that
one particular person.
Denying the fact that we are into something wrong
by projecting on others an aggressive defensiveness whenever
anyone tries to give us a timely warning.
Stubbornly maintaining that the relationship is a platonic
one. Being unwilling to hear the warnings of
others; becoming wounded when others can't see it our way; offended
that they seem unwilling or incapable of trusting our judgment.
Finding reasons to disqualify or alienate ourselves from
longtime or wise friends' warnings, while finding new
"friends" who condone or are indifferent to what we
are doing.
Our prayer in dealing with this difficult and sensitive issue
could be, "Lord, '...Give me an
undivided heart, that I may fear your name.'"
(Psalm 86:11b)
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
+ Seed thoughts from "Why Some Christians Commit Adultery" by John and Paula Stanford
- 1 Coleman Street #02-34
The Adelphi - Singapore 0617 .
- Phone: 337 6498; Fax: 336 9913
(c) Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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