What does "let them be yours alone" teach about exclusivity in relationships? Setting the Scene Proverbs 5:17 speaks to a husband about his wife: “Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers”. The picture is that of a private spring—pure, refreshing, and reserved. The Holy Spirit uses this vivid image to underline God’s call for exclusivity in marriage. Unpacking “Let Them Be Yours Alone” • The pronoun “them” points back to the “springs” (v. 16), symbolizing the intimate gifts of marriage—affection, sexuality, and companionship. • “Yours alone” sets a clear boundary: what God has given you in marriage is not for public distribution or private negotiations. • “Never to be shared with strangers” rules out any third-party intrusion, whether physical, emotional, or digital. God’s Design for Exclusivity • Genesis 2:24—“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh”. One man, one woman, one flesh. • Songs 4:12—“A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a spring locked, a fountain sealed.” The beloved is portrayed as a secured, private garden. • 1 Corinthians 7:2—“Because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband”. • Hebrews 13:4—“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled.” Why Exclusivity Matters • Reflects God’s covenant love—faithful, singular, unbreakable (Malachi 2:14-16). • Protects the heart from the wounds of infidelity (Proverbs 6:32-33). • Safeguards the family, the first building block of society. • Presents a living parable of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:25-32). Practical Takeaways • Guard the eye gate—Job 31:1; Matthew 5:27-30. • Cultivate transparency: open phones, clear schedules, shared passwords. • Invest in emotional intimacy—regular dates, honest conversations, prayer together. • Celebrate physical intimacy as God’s good gift within marriage (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). • Flee every hint of infidelity—physical, virtual, or emotional (2 Timothy 2:22). Scriptures for Further Reflection Proverbs 5:15-23; Exodus 20:14; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Revelation 19:7-9. |
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