Topic: Consequences of Defiling the Marriage Bed (2)
Dear reader,
You are welcome to this week’s edition of Family Success. I strongly believe that God that has started a good thing in you, will surely perfect all that concerns your marriage and family. Your home shall speak forth the glory of the Lord in Jesus’ name.
Last week, I shed light on what marriage bed is all about. It is not a piece of furniture called ‘bed’ in your bedroom, but the sexual union that is between you and your spouse. It is a sacred thing and a covenant that you signed on your wedding night. This is what makes you and your spouse one. This week I shall be looking into the topic: Causes of Bed Defilement.
The Bible says: Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4 Emphasis mine). Marriage was designed to deposit unique honour on man. Yet, from Hebrews 13:4, we see that God attaches a condition for honour; the bed must be undefiled. Sexual immorality is what defiles marriage bed. Whether you are married or not, engaging in sexual relationship is deeper than what meets the eye.
It is only within the context of marriage that guilt does not accompany sex. Defiling the marriage bed, as a single person, it is the quickest route to experiencing shame in marriage whether you are marrying the person involved or not. As a single person, do not think that you are not defiling any bed since you are not married. This might be a deception of the devil.
The Bible makes it very clear: Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that commiteth fornication sinneth against his own body…your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost… ye are not your own (I Corinthians 6:18-19). You are not your own, you belong to God who will in turn give you to a man that you deserve. Until wedding vows are exchanged and the marriage ceremony solemnised, no man and woman are scripturally permitted to engage in sexual intercourse.
On the part of those that are married, adultery is a very serious sin that God frowns at. The Bible defines it as lying with another man’s wife (Leviticus 20:10). As long as either the man or the woman is married and has sexual intercourse with one other than his or her spouse, he has committed adultery. God will judge all who do this.
Extramarital affairs do not just happen; there are factors that could trigger this evil in anyone that is not sensitive to the devices of the devil. The number one factor is covetousness. The Cambridge Advance Learners Dictionary defines “covetous” as: desiring something too much, especially something that belongs to someone else. Covetousness is one of the things that God specifically told Moses to warn the children of Israel against (Exodus 20:17).
This sin could lead to many other terrible things including sexual sin. It is covetousness that makes you think that a lady outside is more beautiful and better than your wife. Also, a covetous woman will always prefer another man to her husband, thinking the man is richer or more handsome. A single lady that is covetous will sell her body to get money, because she is not satisfied with the little she has. This sinful nature craves for the things that are sensual; that is, things that appeal to the eyes, taste, touch and feelings. Beware of covetousness.
Another factor that could lead to sexual sin is wrong association. Who are your friends? The type of friends you keep will determine your life pattern. A lot of both married and single persons today were introduced to this perverse life by bad friends. The Word of God says: Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV).
No matter how good you may think you are, if your circle of friends is those that have no respect for the ‘marriage bed’, you will be surprised that you will soon lose your marital dignity.
The Bible says: The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery (Galatians 5:19-20 NIV). No one can overcome this nature except by the power that is in the Blood of Jesus Christ. Give your life to Him and you shall be saved. If you are ready, say this prayer in faith: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”
If you prayed this simple prayer, congratulations, you are born again and you are now a child of God! He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).