Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 1, 2015
My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon. Proverbs 7:19–20
How do you deal with temptation when you travel? Conversely, what is your behavior when you are the spouse left back at home? Is your house a palace of peace or a prison of confinement? Not only must the weary traveler be wary of wrong behavior, but also the one left holding down the fort. Perhaps as a couple you craft guidelines defining what you will and will not do while separated by travel.
Distance can grow the heart fonder and more faithful or fire the flames of lust and infidelity. If you travel for your work, you most likely are motivated to meet the needs of your family. However, every assignment is for a season. Maybe it is time to get off the road and reconnect with your child who is approaching the teen years, or be there more often for your spouse who is starved for extra emotional support. Just be willing to adjust.
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33–34).
Moreover, do not drift into travel temptations that become divisive and deteriorate your marriage. One boundary may be to avoid bars and get back to your room soon after work and dinner. A righteous routine on the road gets the right results. Whenever possible, make it a priority to travel with another person of similar values. Be bold by becoming an influencer of integrity: good, clean fun without flirting with sin. On the other hand, your role in the marriage may be to support the children and manage the home daily. Take pride, not pity, during this season of unselfish service.
By God’s grace you are molding their minds to the things of Christ, influencing the culture with His kingdom priorities. As you are working to preserve the family, you are as valuable as the one out working to provide for the family. Stay occupied in prayer, Bible study, and their school, and be available to those who need you. Marriage is a team effort that sees outstanding results when you are both on the same page of love and obedience to Christ. Travel temptations are terminated on both ends through trust in the Lord and trust in each other.
“He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him” (Psalm 22:8).
Prayer: What behavioral boundaries related to our time apart do I need to co-create with my spouse?
Related Readings: Numbers 5:11–15; Isaiah 46:6; Luke 12:39–46; 1 John 3:9
Post/Tweet this today: Marriage is a team effort that gets the best results when both wife and husband love and obey Christ. #temptation #wisdomhunters
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