INTRODUCTION

It is natural for a man to be attracted to a woman and for a woman to find a man attractive. In fact, in the proper context, this desire is established and even nurtured by the Lord. Yet, this desire is never to be acted upon outside of the marriage bounds (Hebrews 13:4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
See All...). For this reason, the Bible sets certain parameters. For instance, the Bible says that a man should not “touch a woman” (1 Corinthians 7:1Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
See All...). The Lord gave this privilege only to those who are joined together in marriage. In marriage, neither the husband nor the wife has power over his or her own body (1 Corinthians 7:4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
See All...). In fact, the only time this privilege is to be withheld from the spouse is for the sake of fasting and prayer (1 Corinthians 7:5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
See All...). Even this spiritual duty only lasts temporarily so that Satan’s temptation does not overcome the husband or his wife.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Mrs. Potiphar had a husband, but she wanted Joseph too. Read Joseph’s godly answer to her (Genesis 39:9There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
  See All...). When David took a wife not belonging to him, God was angry (2 Samuel 12:9-10 [9] Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. [10] Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
  See All...) and God has not changed.
• (For everyone): Why is it important for people to refrain from acting upon physical attractions until joined in marriage? How does this make marriage even more precious?
• What kind of temptations exist when a husband and wife refrain from intimacy for long periods of time? Would it be fair to say that long periods lacking intimacy are unscriptural (1 Corinthians 7:5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
  See All...)?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to protect our children from a loss of purity.
• Ask the Lord to strengthen your relationship with your spouse.

HYMN

TRUST AND OBEY

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