How does Leviticus 18:20 guide us in maintaining marital faithfulness today? Scripture focus Leviticus 18:20: “You must not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife and thus defile yourself with her.” Understanding the command - Adultery is explicitly forbidden; God protects marriage by naming the act and calling it defilement. - “Neighbor” widens the scope—this is not only about our own household but about honoring every marriage in the community. - Defilement shows the spiritual dimension: sexual sin contaminates the soul, not just the body (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:18). Timeless principles behind the command • Marriage is a covenant established by God (Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:14). • Exclusive faithfulness mirrors God’s exclusive covenant love (Hosea 2:19-20). • Sexual intimacy belongs inside the marriage covenant, guarding personal holiness (Hebrews 13:4). • Violating another’s marriage breaks both the Seventh Commandment (Exodus 20:14) and the command to love our neighbor (Romans 13:9-10). Practical applications for marriages today — Keep vows fresh: regularly remember and speak your promises to one another. — Prioritize shared time: consistent dates, prayer, worship, and conversation nurture oneness (Ecclesiastes 9:9). — Cultivate transparency: no hidden passwords, secret friendships, or unaccountable travel. — Nurture physical intimacy: delight in each other as God intends (Proverbs 5:15-19). — Guard friendships: maintain clear, respectful boundaries with members of the opposite sex. — Seek counsel early: invite trusted believers to speak into struggles before temptation grows (Proverbs 11:14). Guarding the heart and mind - Jesus intensifies the command: “Everyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). - Flee, don’t flirt, with temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18). - Train thoughts in purity (Philippians 4:8). - Let Scripture renew desires (Psalm 119:9,11). - Aim for holiness that pleases God (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Building proactive protection • Daily prayer and Scripture together strengthen unity. • Accountability partners provide outside perspective and support. • Shared community involvement keeps the marriage visible and supported. • Quick confession and forgiveness close cracks the enemy exploits (Ephesians 4:26-27). • Celebrate milestones; gratitude fuels faithfulness. Reflecting Christ’s covenant love Ephesians 5:25-32 calls husbands to love as Christ loves the Church and wives to respect their husbands. Faithfulness is evangelistic—marriages become living parables of Christ’s unbreakable bond with His people. By obeying Leviticus 18:20, believers display the gospel, honor their spouses, protect families, and joyfully live the holiness God designed for His people. |
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