SOAP Devotional 2014-01-24
Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer
Scripture:
Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. (Hebrews 13:4 NLT)
Observation:
Once again scripture reminds us to honor our marriage and remain faithful to one another. God’s judgment will weigh hard on those who continue in this lifestyle.
Application:
This sin has probably been the hardest for people through all time. Especially, since Jesus included the thought life as equal to the actual act. It is highly likely that most, if not all, have been guilty of this at some time in their life. Even if it is in our thought life, it dishonors our marriages by putting unrealistic expectations in our minds. The ease of obtaining pornography has multiplied the ease for people to do these things. If you think on these things long enough, you are liable to act on them eventually. It is not a safe practice. So, if you have been guilty of this in any form, you need to stop, ask for forgiveness, from God, and move forward in purity. The good thing is that God offers grace instead of justice for those who turn to him.
Prayer:
God, protect me from even the very thought of dishonoring my marriage. Strengthen me to walk in the purity that you expect from me. Let me bring honor to my marriage and my walk with you with my thought life and my actions. Don’t let me ever think that I am too holy to ever be tempted, instead help me to see where it could be possible to fail and show me how to avoid temptations.