READING: 1 Kings 10-11
Marriage is a big deal. Today, it has become a controversial deal, especially as culture ignores God’s standards for marriage and creates its own standards far outside of God’s plan. As Christian believers, we stand on the belief that marriage is to be between a man and a woman.
What we don’t often recognize — even when we affirm that marriage is only between the two genders — is the risk of marrying outside of our faith. There was a reason God warned His people in the Old Testament not to marry pagan women, for they would “surely turn your hearts after their gods” (1 Kings 11:2). King Solomon, though, ignored that command and married not only one foreign woman, but hundreds. His excess notwithstanding, even the choice to marry one pagan woman would have been problematic. The overall result of his marriages was that he indeed turned to worship false gods — thus turning away from the “God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice” (1 Kings 11:9).
Far too seldom is it the case that believers most influence non-believers when they fall in love. Emotions, affections, and physical desires get in the way, and the earthly relationship often trumps the relationship between the believer and God. The turning away from God is not typically blatant, though; it is most often subtle, slow — but nonetheless real. The believer then wakes up one morning wondering how he or she now has a heart turned away from God. Satan and his forces temporarily win when we walk in the wrong direction, hand-in-hand with someone who does not follow God.
For that reason, teaching — and warning — our teens and young adults about dating non-believers is not only wise; it’s a matter of spiritual warfare. Opening the door even a crack for an enemy who wants to destroy our witness makes little sense.
ACTION STEPS:
- If you have teens or collegians at home, have a discussion with them about dating choices.
- Pray for your children and young people to make healthy, godly dating choices at the appropriate time.
- If you are married to a non-believer, continue to pray fervently for his or her conversion. Ask others to join you in prayer.
PRAYER: “Father, remind me about the enemy’s sly ways to lure us away from attention on You. Grant me God-centered, healthy relationships.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Kings 12-14
