(Excerpt from Women Alive!, Jan/Feb, 2005, "Before You Have an Affair," by Gracie Malone) - Obtained from www.iwanttomakemymarriagework.com ~ Used by permission
1) Decide ahead of time how you will handle temptation. You will never be wise enough, spiritual enough, or careful enough to escape temptation. Be prepared. Establish personal boundaries that you will not cross. Make a contract with God.
2) Control your thoughts. Memorize Phil.4:8-9. Make lists of things mentioned, then "think on those things." Think about your children. Look at the family portrait and imagine how an affair would affect each of them.
3) Avoid compromising situations such as being alone together in a car, meeting for business lunches, or taking walks together. The Bible teaches us to "flee" (2 Tim.2:22).
4) Be accountable to a trusted friend. Have one person with whom you can be totally honest: "I was tempted today to flirt," for example (cf. Eccl.4:9-12).
5) Spend daily time alone with God in prayer and in the Word. Nurture your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Meditate on Psalms such as 37, 42, 63, 91.
6) Be honest with God. Your High Priest understands temptation. Confess every temptation, weakness, and sin - calling it what it really is - and let Him meet your needs (Heb.4:14-16).
7) Study Proverbs so you will understand the consequences of sexual sin. Pray for purity. Feelings must be faced, but not followed.
8) Honor your commitment. Marriage is a covenant between God, your spouse, and you. God hates divorce (Mal.2:16).
9) Talk with your spouse. Marriages fail because partners fail to communicate. Work on being a good spouse with the same fervor that you use to be a good parent. Take time out, daily and weekly, for just the two of you.
10) Don't expect anyone else to meet all your needs. Develop your talents and use your spiritual gifts. Take care of yourself, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Appreciate the happiness in your life.
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