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How can married Christians avoid emotional affairs?



    
    

Clarify Share Report Asked July 01 2013 Mini Anonymous (via GotQuestions)

Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.

16
Shea S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries
An emotional affair occurs when a married person shares emotional intimacy and support with an individual other than his/her spouse. Becoming emotionally intimate with someone other than one's spou...

July 01 2013 2 responses Vote Up Share Report


3
Mini Paul Gruber Supporter
Genesis 1:27 "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (NIV) There is something about man and woman together, in marriage, that 'looks like' God. In marriage we can 'know' something of God's jealousy, and Holiness, and honor, and fear (Ex 20), and creation of sovereign life, and faithfulness, and love... "Do you mean that we should honor and fear God the way that a child honors and fears his mother and father?" "Do you mean that I should have no other gods like I should have no other men? God is Holy, one of a kind...like my wife is the only one for me?" "Do you mean that God is jealous for me like I'm jealous for my wife?" More...! 

Understand: there is an adversary that would destroy the image of God that exists in your spouse and in your family. Satan would destroy marriage in our society if he could. If you sin in your heart, you provide entry for Satan... Ephesians 4:26-27 “In your anger do not sin” (anger, lust, pride, greed...) "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Your lust, anger...will separate you from your spouse, it will destroy the image of God that is resident in marriage, if you do not confess it to the Lord and repent; prayerfully change your mind, your heart. (Mt 6:9-13 Jesus taught us to pray: "Our Father...deliver us from the evil one..." And many other teachings about spiritual vulnerabilities.) In the image of God, you can prayerfully establish a hedge around yourself and your spouse, and your family (see Job 1:10)

You must know your own vulnerabilities and set aside prayer time, 'quiet time', confess it; establish the prayerful hedge... Then when the occasion of sin arises, you may simply, quickly, confidently pray: "God...HELP...! This is it! This is what I already prayed about. Deliver me...hedge me in..." I have often prayed: "God keep my heart and mind for my wife..." James 4:5 "...do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?... v7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Be wise; be strong... He has given us the Spirit of Wisdom and Strength (Proverbs 8; Isaiah 11...) and His Spirit inhabits your faithfulness.

January 02 2015 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


2
Mini James Kraft Supporter 74 year old retired pipeline worker
After having been married for 62 years, we have found that it is our spending time together keeps us together. 

For many years we still go on a dinner date at least one a week. 

We stay interested in each others interest. Hobbies and vocations.

The bible works even for unbelievers. I have known many who are unbelievers that live and stay together for life using the same principals that believers use.

It does not help when they die, but hell is not near as hot for some as it is for others. And not all believers will have rewards in heaven. First Corinthians 3:11-15.

January 12 2022 1 response Vote Up Share Report


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