How does Proverbs 5:15 encourage faithfulness in marriage relationships today? The Core Picture—“Drink from Your Own Cistern” (Proverbs 5:15) “Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well.” • A vivid metaphor: just as a cistern holds life-sustaining water reserved for its owner, marital intimacy is a gift reserved exclusively for husband and wife. • By presenting fidelity as commonsense stewardship, the verse appeals both to heart and mind. Guarding the Exclusive Bond • Marriage forms a covenant (Genesis 2:24). Guarding that covenant honors God, spouse, and self. • Unshared springs stay pure; shared indiscriminately, they become polluted (Proverbs 5:16-17). • Hebrews 13:4 reinforces the theme: “Marriage must be honored by all…”—fidelity protects the honor of the marriage bed. Blessings of Faithful Intimacy • Satisfaction: “May your fountain be blessed” (Proverbs 5:18-19). Joy grows when love is focused, not scattered. • Security: trust deepens when spouses know they are each other’s sole source of romantic affection. • Spiritual harmony: sexual union symbolizes Christ’s union with His people (Ephesians 5:31-32). Faithfulness keeps that picture clear. Warnings against Straying • Proverbs 5:20-23 details the cost—emotional drain, loss of honor, God’s discipline. • 1 Corinthians 6:18: “Flee from sexual immorality.” Sin against one’s own body carries unique consequences. Practical Applications for Couples Today • Prioritize time together—regular date nights, shared hobbies, intentional conversation. • Guard media intake—filter entertainment that normalizes infidelity or lust. • Cultivate transparency—open phones, shared passwords, honest check-ins. • Nourish spiritual unity—pray together, study Scripture, worship side by side. • Invest in physical affection—small daily touches reinforce exclusivity. • Seek help early—pastoral or biblical counseling when temptation or distance arises. Scriptures that Echo the Call • Malachi 2:14-16—God hates divorce and calls spouses to “remain faithful to the wife of your youth.” • Matthew 5:27-28—Christ extends fidelity to the level of the heart. • 1 Corinthians 7:2-5—mutual, regular intimacy protects against temptation. Living the Wisdom of Proverbs 5:15 Choosing to “drink water from your own cistern” is more than avoiding adultery; it is actively delighting in the spouse God has given, stewarding the marriage covenant, and displaying the faithfulness of God Himself to a watching world. |
    |