3 Temptations That Can Kill a Great Marriage!

Kendrick and Latoya have been married for a few years now.  They have a great relationship and God has truly favored their union. They have been blessed with a great home, great jobs and a great family. It’s Tuesday night and Kendrick is catching an afternoon flight to Salt Lake City.  Kendrick is no stranger to corporate travel.  He is accustomed to five-star accommodations and chauffeurs with this position.

On this particular evening after his arrival, the company provided a social hour in the ballroom of the hotel.  The room is dimly lit with the soothing sounds of easy jazz playing by a live band. The open bar is stocked with your choice of libation and provides the relief of tension from the travel and business of the day.  This relief also allows the company’s staff to remove that coat of professionalism and award themselves an evening of casual conversation.

After mingling through the crowd, a beautiful woman makes her way over to Kendrick. He recognized her from the web conference meetings with the company.  As she approaches him, there is no intent by either party aside from casual conversation.  But as the evening rolls on the conversation begins to turn personal and the drinks continued to flow.  Although there was no initial intent, opportunities began to reveal themselves.  

What will this man do?  These opportunities can cloud his mind and cause him to disregard his vow to God, his wife and family.  If Kendrick takes the bait, a seed will be planted that leads to the possible death of a great marriage.  In this scenario, who is the blame?  

God has allowed us freedom in our blessings. We must be conscious of our motives as we live in this freedom. 

“My brothers and sisters, you were chosen to be free.  But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to live in sin.  Instead, serve one another in love.” -Galatians 5:13

The more we grow spiritually, the more we become awaken and aware of the sinful temptations of this world.  We must be careful and train ourselves to stay obedient, faithful and true to God.

It is imperative that we know and recognize the three temptations that can kill a great marriage.  

For everything that belongs to the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle is not from the Father, but is from the world. -1 John 2:16

Temptation #1: Lust of the Flesh
It is the urge and desire to satisfy the physical feelings of the flesh.  Leaning to your fleshly desires are always temporary and the byproduct of adhering to it is sin.  You know it’s of the flesh because it doesn’t align with God’s Word.  Paul explains the lust of the flesh in this scripture below. 

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance as I told you before that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.- Galatians 5:19-21

What can you do?
Here is one way to overcome this temptation:

• Kill it before it kills you!
  • The Word of God is your weapon
  • Cast it out of your mind and thoughts by filling your heart with the Word.  

Helpful Tip:
Read Galatians 5:22-23 it’s where you find The Fruits of the Spirit.  These characteristics will keep you focused on Jesus when the weapon is formed against you.

Temptation #2: Lust of the Eyes
Social Media, television and magazines are so vivid, transparent and accessible these days.  You can come across images and videos that capture the eye within seconds.  You could be thumbing through your favorite magazine and there it is, a half-naked person.  You could be scrolling down Facebook and there it is, your former "love thang" appears dressed to the nine.  Not only does this temptation lure you off course, but it causes you to covet over other people and their possessions.  

**WARNING...You can’t have what doesn’t belong to you!  Check out how David handled this temptation.      

One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing a very beautiful woman.  So David sent someone to inquire about her, and he reported, “This is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite.”  David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. -2 Samuel 11:2-4

What can you do?
Here are two ways to overcome this temptation:

• Constant Prayer
• Find an Accountability Partner.  
  • Someone you can share your struggle with in confidence.  
  • They will need to be available to hear you and check-in with you to ensure the proper prevention methods are in place.

Temptation #3: Pride
You ever heard that term “one up”.  That is what pride does to you.  You always want to “one up” someone else.  You even go the extra mile to put other people down to make up for your lack of attention.  Pride is when you think your success was accomplished in your own power and strength.  You quickly get the “I” syndrome.  I accomplished that goal.  I built this company.  I make all the money.     
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. –Proverbs 16:5

What can you do?
Here is one way to overcome this temptation:

• Seek a Humble Spirit
  • Read Philippians 2:3-4
  • Check yourself when you are speaking with others and be sure that love and the interest of others is always considered.

Join the Conversation!

Billy and I love to hear your insight on our blog topic.  This week we have two questions: 

1)  What are other ways you have seen these temptations slip into marriages?
2)  What are some other methods to consider that would prevent these temptations,
so they won’t kill marriages?

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