Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Can a Single Woman be Friends with a Married Man? Part 3
So, does that mean I can’t be friends with ANY married man?
No, it does not mean that. But, as always, we must check our hearts in every situation. If you feel any inkling of interest in that particular man, you must be VERY careful. Set boundaries to guard your heart and to keep yourself and your brother from stumbling.
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) – Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
It is far too easy to covet, to be deceived and to fall into a trap. David is a perfect example of how quickly we can fall into sin. (2 Samuel 11) David was where he shouldn’t have been (home, rather than war) – and he quickly fell into one sin after another – justifying himself all along the way.
Remember, we must think on what is TRUE (Philippians 4:8). God’s Word clearly tells us that marriage is sacred – and we must treat it that way. He knows the desires of your heart, and He knows what is good and right and true. We must, as single women, trust Him to provide our needs, and not go looking to fill the gaps and holes in our lives with what looks good to us. Ephesians 6:10-18 reminds us:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…
No, it does not mean that. But, as always, we must check our hearts in every situation. If you feel any inkling of interest in that particular man, you must be VERY careful. Set boundaries to guard your heart and to keep yourself and your brother from stumbling.
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) – Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
It is far too easy to covet, to be deceived and to fall into a trap. David is a perfect example of how quickly we can fall into sin. (2 Samuel 11) David was where he shouldn’t have been (home, rather than war) – and he quickly fell into one sin after another – justifying himself all along the way.
Remember, we must think on what is TRUE (Philippians 4:8). God’s Word clearly tells us that marriage is sacred – and we must treat it that way. He knows the desires of your heart, and He knows what is good and right and true. We must, as single women, trust Him to provide our needs, and not go looking to fill the gaps and holes in our lives with what looks good to us. Ephesians 6:10-18 reminds us:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Can a Single Woman be Friends with a Married Man? Part 2
But what if he is an unbeliever? Can’t I share Christ with him?
Beloved, check the motive of your heart. Are you truly concerned that he knows Christ, or are you creating justification for a continued relationship with him?
Hebrews 13:4 says: Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
Marriage is holy and sanctified – set apart and consecrated. You do not want to play any part in a man straying from his wife. Don’t be blinded by desperation. Desperation will lie to us – will fool our heart into thinking we are doing something for all the right reasons. But, as Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us,
The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
Why would you want to be friends with a man who does not honor his marriage? What is your real intent? James warns us again about the deceit of our hearts in 1:13-14:
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” God always provides a way out – take it!
We are warned numerous times against playing any part in any other person stumbling:
Jesus said in Matthew 18:7 - “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!”
Mark 14:38 - Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 - Abstain from every form of evil.
Roman 14:21 - It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. [emphasis mine]
If you really want to help this man with his relationship with God, do the following:
1) Ask some godly people to pray for him
2) Ask your pastor, or some other solid Christian man to reach out to him.
This protects you from being further deceived, and if the Lord is truly drawing him unto Himself, then he will be receptive to your pastor or friend.
Beloved, check the motive of your heart. Are you truly concerned that he knows Christ, or are you creating justification for a continued relationship with him?
Hebrews 13:4 says: Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
Marriage is holy and sanctified – set apart and consecrated. You do not want to play any part in a man straying from his wife. Don’t be blinded by desperation. Desperation will lie to us – will fool our heart into thinking we are doing something for all the right reasons. But, as Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us,
The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
Why would you want to be friends with a man who does not honor his marriage? What is your real intent? James warns us again about the deceit of our hearts in 1:13-14:
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” God always provides a way out – take it!
We are warned numerous times against playing any part in any other person stumbling:
Jesus said in Matthew 18:7 - “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!”
Mark 14:38 - Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 - Abstain from every form of evil.
Roman 14:21 - It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. [emphasis mine]
If you really want to help this man with his relationship with God, do the following:
1) Ask some godly people to pray for him
2) Ask your pastor, or some other solid Christian man to reach out to him.
This protects you from being further deceived, and if the Lord is truly drawing him unto Himself, then he will be receptive to your pastor or friend.
Monday, April 26, 2010
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