I heard about a friend of mine that I have not spoken to in quite a while who has recently gotten divorced. This man is at an age in his life where he should be enjoying the fruits of his labors over the years. Instead he’s starting over with virtually nothing. Actually not nothing, when he started out in life many years ago he at least had his integrity, so now I guess you would have to say that he actually has less than nothing. Not only has he destroyed his finances and his integrity but this man and destroyed his own family. With his own hands he’s ripped apart the second most wonderful gift that God gives a man, his wife and family. All this over lust and a refusal to control his thoughts which eventually led to some very stupid actions.
In Proverbs chapter 6 the writer admonishes the reader to stay away from adultery when it says, “Don't be tempted by their beauty; don't be trapped by their flirting eyes. A man can hire a prostitute for the price of a loaf of bread, but adultery will cost him all he has. Can you carry fire against your chest without burning your clothes? Can you walk on hot coals without burning your feet? It is just as dangerous to sleep with another man's wife. Whoever does it will suffer. People don't despise a thief if he steals food when he is hungry; yet if he is caught, he must pay back seven times more---he must give up everything he has. But a man who commits adultery doesn't have any sense. He is just destroying himself. He will be dishonored and beaten up; he will be permanently disgraced.”
Ultimately our children are the ones who pay the real price when a marriage is broken apart. They had nothing to do with any of the decisions, however they suffer, as everyday a ridiculous number of marriages are ending in divorce and many of those are a direct result of uncontrolled thoughts leading to uncontrolled actions. All of this results in boys and girls being ripped from their homes.
A friend and I were recently talking about how we could be more effective at ministering to children as we seek to help them walk more closely with the Lord. We discussed the fact that while there are many effective strategies we can use to reach the children, we still only have a very limited contact with them. Ultimately the greatest spiritual influence on your kids is you. I remember reading an open letter that a teenage girl had sent to her father who had recently been caught in adultery. The man had tried to teach his daughter right from wrong and even took her to church but as she poured out her heart in the letter, she told him that all that he ever told her was a lie and that his life had been reduced to being nothing but a fraud. Can you imagine your life coming to this, your family being destroyed, not by an intruder in your home but by your own hand?
Perhaps, right now you find yourself in a place that maybe you never intended. Is there a relationship that is going too far? Have you allowed yourself to cross lines that you never thought you’d cross?
If that’s the case, may I remind you that God offers forgiveness. It’s not too late to turn from the road you’re heading down and turn back to God. Don’t put this off, do it today, it would be a good idea to call your pastor and get him involved as well. Don’t destroy your children with your own hands. God bless and be sure to live out your faith today.
