Thought 326
Establishing God’s
Guidelines for Romance
Romance is a commonly misunderstood subject in our culture today. Do you
know any of God’s guidelines for marriage? What about dating, I mean, is there
anything like that in the Bible? Or what about courtship? This is only a couple
of questions, but there is a lot of Biblical principle and wisdom on this
subject of “relationships.”
First, following the direction of the Holy Spirit in alignment with the
Word is everything. Many follow and seek God’s direction and is will in their
career, problems, and hardships, so why not in “romance” to? After all, this
area is very confusing, painful and routine for just about everyone that
attempts to build their own ”Hollywood love” story. Even Christians many times
passionately want the lights, the
fireworks, and the THE HEAT of a head over heels relationship with the
opposite sex.
God does have rules though, and those rules
are for our protection. For instance, nearly every New Testament book warns us of
sexual immorality: it is a big “no no” for God’s people. The Bible says there
is not even to be a hint of sexual immorality among you (Ephesians 5:3). Not
even a hint! Unfortunately, that is not what is thought of when people look at
the American Church.
Older
readers, think back to the times of your youth with the young men or young women;
likewise you young’uns think back to your recent past or just examine your
present “relationship.” Are dating relationships today void of sexual
immorality? Among Christians circles? Is there truly not even a hint of sexual
immorality, which is as simple as a wanting desire (lust, which is a form of
pride)?
Hands interlocking around his neck she
passionately kissed him . . . he grabbed her and kissed her (that was the first
time he had ever expressed his “feelings” for her), but just a few hours later
everything he ever knew as right was thrown out the window as they stared at
each other longingly in the back of his car. . . . .and now they are both
feeling guilty for the crime they have just committed before God and what they
had stolen from each other’s future spouses . . .
This story and many others out there relate
the timeless truths of Proverbs. Just take a look and see how many of these
stories are described in other terms in that book—you will be amazed what you
find.
9 In the twilight, in the evening,
in the black and dark night:
10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and
subtil of heart.
11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every
corner.)
13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto
him,
14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I
have found thee.
16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with
fine linen of Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace
ourselves with loves.
19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey
--Proverbs 7:9-19 KJV
Solomon’s life, like his father David’s, was filled with compromise when
women were “part of the package”. Solomon gave into beauty, charm, and sex –
the very things that God wrote through him not to do when the book of Proverbs
was penned. The man had A THOUSAND WIVES! For being so wise, he turned out to
be “pretty lame.” Only one wife is permitted to a man (Genesis 2). It has been
that way since the beginning. God created one Eve for Adam, not a Hiram.
How could Solomon ere so greatly; after all, the guy had it made? Because he
gave up his relationship with God for a season just to have the ladies. Young
men, young ladies are important. I mean, I am excited that one day I will spend
my days with the amazing woman that I can call my wife for the rest of my years and every young woman should be
treated with respect. But . . . . we need to surrender our desires to God. The
book of Psalms declares that if you delight yourself in the Lord he will give
you the desires of your heart (Psalms 37:4). But understand this: those desires are not lustful.
The warnings of Solomon in the book of
Proverbs are amazingly applicable to our lives. Solomon was the wisest that
ever lived (other than Christ), yet he didn’t even follow the commands that he
gave to his own son to whom he appears to have written the Proverbs. Solomon
wrote the Proverbs under the direction of the Holy Spirit and did not truly
‘think them up’ on his own; therefore, these aren’t just guys’ opinions, they
are the very Words of God.
