"Abstain from all appearance of evil..."

This is an interesting week to be studying this topic,  as my husband and I have learned just this week that not one, not two, not three, but four...FOUR of our dear....REALLY dear high school and adult friends have all been involved with severe cases of infidelity. Each one of the instances are separate from the other, too. That make a total of eight marriages (the partners in infidelity were all married, too) that are now damaged and most likely destroyed because of infidelity. Hearts have been broken, as have eternal covenants in every one of these cases. 

As my husband and I discussed our heartbreak at the loss of trust for each of these spouses, and at the covenants that have been broken, with no real remorse or regard for them, we asked ourselves, how do we prevent such situations in our own marriage?? I love this quote from President Ezra Taft Benson that states, “A good question to ask ourselves is this: Would my spouse be pleased if he or she knew I was doing this? Would a wife be pleased to know that her husband lunches alone with his secretary? Would a husband be pleased if he saw his wife flirting and being coy with another man? My beloved brothers and sisters, this is what Paul men at when he said, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).”

Knowing a bit about how each of these cases of infidelity began I can testify that in each of those cases, had they stopped to ask themselves these questions from President Benson, that I would not be writing this post about our friends who are facing such a terrible tragedy, at the hands of Satan, in their married lives.

However, it is not just asking ourselves these questions that will stop infidelity in its tracks. There is a great deal more to it. In Goddard's book, Drawing Heaven Into Your Marriage”, he gives ten guidelines that can help to prevent trouble in our marriage. They are as listed, below…

• Do not allow the seeds of lust to germinate.
• Never make excuses to spend time alone with a person of the opposite sex who is not your spouse.
• Take responsibility for the messages that you give.
• Do not allow your heart to dwell on anyone.
• If you find yourself making excuses for continuing the relationship, you are addicted. Get help.
• Spend more enjoyable time with your spouse.
• Renew your spiritual efforts. Turn to the Lord in prayer
• Don't set yourself up for failure. Don't allow yourself to spend time alone with the person
• Keep your soul free of the soul-numbing barrenness of pornography.
• Celebrate the sweet gift of companionship

These ten guidelines can help prepare us for Satan’s greatest attacks. We should consider letting them guide us in our daily lives, because it is not a matter of if Satan will try to get us to violate our covenants, it is a matter of when. May each of us do our part to guard our eternal relationships with all our might and strength, and prepare to meet him with courage unmatched.

We have all know families affected by infidelity; in your experience can you see ways that the infidelity could have been prevented? Explain.

Also, of the ten guidelines by Goddard, which do you feel needs the most improvement in your own life and marriage? Might I encourage you to take this list to the Lord and ask Him what needs improvement and for His help in that area.