GOFAMINT DEVOTIONAL - EVEN THE WISE BECAME A FOOL

      GOFAMINT DAILY DEVOTIONAL

AVOID INFIDELITY

  SunDAY 3/7/2022  

Suggested Hymn: GHB. 47

Devotional Reading: Prov. 5:15-23

Topic For Adults: Marital Infidelity Is Tragic And Traumatic

Topic For Youths: The Way Of Immorality Is Destructive

Topic For Intermediates: Immorality Is Dangerous; Keep Off It

Lesson Scriptures: Jam. 4:4; Heb. 13:4; 2 Sam. 11:1-17; Prov. 6:20-29

 

MEMORY VERSE

“For by means of a harlot a man is reduced to a crust of bread; and an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?” (Proverbs 6:26-27) NKJV.

 

ALSO READ: DEEPER LIFE DAILY MANNA FOR TODAY

                     Even The Wise Became A Fool        

   1 KINgs 11:1-11

King Solomon was one of the wisest men that ever lived. His intelligent quotient was so high that the Bible attributed 3,000 proverbs to him; he also composed more than 1,000 songs (1 Kgs. 4:32). This wisdom was given to him in answer to his prayer at the beginning of his reign (1 Kgs. 3:9) and the Bible later recorded that his wisdom was greater than all the people of the then world. (1 Kgs. 4:29-21). Solomon loved God so dearly and he spoke extensively on the fear of the Lord. His insights on the dangers of adultery and seductive women were unparalleled and he warned people seriously on the perils of sexual immorality. However, at a critical point in his life, this great man stumbled, and fell from grace to grass. He became a victim of the evils he had severally warned the people about. His many ungodly wives led him astray and turned his heart from his God to their lifeless gods. What a tragic end!

 

Point of Emphasis: Think less about the pleasure you are experiencing; think more about the pain you are causing and the tragic results of your actions.

Prayer Point: Help me, oh Lord, never to become victims of marital infidelity.

Reading The Bible Through in a Year: Morning: Judg. 1: 12-25; Evening: Jer.19-21

 

BACKGROUND

Cases of marital infidelity are becoming rampant among present-day believers. This is because adultery and other sexual perversion have become the prime tools which Satan the arch enemy of Christ now uses against the Church of God. Sexual immorality which was once considered as sinful, shameful, inappropriate and unacceptable to the Church is now being treated as a normal emotional problem. This has wrecked many marriages, sent many to untimely Christless eternity and destroyed the reputation and integrity of many notable Christians. This lesson aims at putting a stop to this trend in the Church.

 

ALSO READ: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

NOTES ON THE LESSON

PART 1: THE MEANING AND IMPLICATIONS OF MARITAL INFIDELITY - JAM. 4:4; HEB. 13:4

Infidelity simply means disloyalty or unfaithfulness to a moral obligation. It is the act of having a romantic or sexual relationship with someone other than one’s spouse or partner. Husband and wife may cheat and become unfaithful in their marital relationship due to so many reasons or factors which may include lack of love, sexual desire when the partner isn’t available or denying him/her, rift or conflict at home, poor communication, irresponsibility of a partner, anger, failure to provide for the home etc. Marital infidelity is never justifiable for any reason because the Biblical instruction on this issue is unmistaken. “You shall not commit adultery” (Exo. 20:14). Adultery is defined as an extra-marital affair that willfully and maliciously interferes with marriage relations whereas infidelity can be either being emotionally or physically engaged.

    An adulterer is living only for the moment, caught up in a fantasy of excitement and desire not seriously minding the vital consequences of his or her action which are many and may include breaking fellowship with God, emotional trauma as a result of guilt, painful memory, shame, stigma and suffering, loss of trust, fellowship and intimacy among couples, loss of reputation, dignity and integrity; the children feel and experience turmoil, fear, uncertainty, bitterness and anger. STDs may occur, reproach to the family, damaged testimony, loss of ministry in the Church. This gives joy to the host of the kingdom of darkness.

 

 

PART 2:  BIBLICAL CASE OF MARITAL INFIDELITY – 2 SAM. 11:1-17

King David loved God and God also loved him. There was nothing he needed that was not supplied by God. However, at a point, his adultery with Uriah’s wife reduced him to a crust of bread. Trouble and turbulence entered his family.

King Solomon is another good example to explain marital infidelity despite his unparallel wisdom, fame and wealth. He got hooked into having 700 wives and 300 concubines.  His life ended in tragedy, he lost his intimacy with God and his dynasty as a king because of his involvement in adultery. His honour was given to another, the aliens took over his wealth and his labour went to the house of a foreigner. (Prov. 5:9-14; 6:26).

 

 

 

PART 3: THE WAY OUT OF MARITAL INFIDELITY - PROV. 6:20-29

Marital infidelity can be avoided and overcome no matter how strong the temptation might be. Personal determination and self-discipline are very essential. Considering the consequences of any type of sexual immorality viz-a-viz the momentary pleasure derived from it, it does not worth it. Though, sexual sin may be part of societal evil that is overlooked, encouraged in some cultures and even legalised in the so-called civilised world, as long as it contradicts God’s word and standard, every godly person must avoid it. The following steps can help to overcome marital infidelity.

i)   Repent and open up yourself to God, your spouse or any accountability partner (Acts 2:38; 3:19).

ii) Accept God’s grace and love that truly forgives and pardons our sins (1 Jn. 1:9).

iii)      Forgive yourself and break off the relationship with the sin partner (Jam. 4:4; Phil. 4:8, 9).

iv)      Seek spiritual help and guidance from a minister of God.

v) Be disciplined and determined to please God and live holy.

vi) Learn to flee temptation, avoid being too close with the opposite sex and let every relationship with      opposite sex be well defined.

vii)     Watch and pray, pray and watch.

 

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

We are no longer slaves to sin or Satan. We have been purchased with a price; we must remain pure and clean morally. We are married to Jesus; hence, we cannot afford to jump into bed with the world. Therefore, avoid: going out with co-workers of the opposite sex; counseling or conversation that could cause emotional attachment; any close contact or relationship with former boyfriend or girlfriend; and giving your cell number to members of the opposite sex without the consent of your spouse.

 

 

 

 

QUESTIONS

1. What is marital infidelity?

2. Is there any difference between adultery and infidelity? Mention them.

3. Mention some examples of marital infidelity in the Bible and state the consequences.

4. Can there be any justifiable reason for marital infidelity?

5. What is your advice for the victims of marital infidelity?

6. How can we overcome immoral acts?

 

 

 

 

 

DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

 

©2022  THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INTERNATIONAL DEVOTIONAL IS BY PASTOR (DR) E.O ABINA, THE GENERAL OVERSEER OF GOFAMINT Worldwide.