One Step From a Fall: Protecting Your Marriage from Sexual Sin

There's a sobering truth worth remembering: people rarely stumble on the way up the ladder of success. It's at the very top — when things are going well and our guard is down — that we're most prone to fall.

You see this vividly in the life of King David. He didn't fall into sin while climbing toward the throne. He fell at the pinnacle of his power, in a season of comfort and ease.

The Slippery Slope of Sexual Sin

What followed David's first glance was a progression that's all too common:

• Contemplation — entertaining impure thoughts
• Flirtation — testing boundaries through conversation
• Isolation — looking for chances to be alone with the person
• Consummation — the act itself
• Consequences — the devastating fallout that follows

In the excitement of romance and marriage, most spouses never imagine they'll one day betray their vows. But the slope toward infidelity can catch anyone off guard — which is why guarding your marriage on purpose matters so much.

Ten Commitments to Guard Your Marriage

Consider making these commitments your own:

1. You will put no other human relationship before your spouse.
2. Remember your date night and keep it sacred.
3. Honor your spouse on anniversaries and special days.
4. You will not take the covenant of marriage lightly.
5. You will not ride in a car or eat alone with someone of the opposite sex.
6. You will not travel alone.
7. You will not counsel someone of the opposite sex behind closed doors.
8. You will not watch, read, or expose yourself to sexually explicit shows, books, or websites.
9. You will not expose yourself to sexually explicit media.
10. You will keep the cost of adultery always before you.

Hope for the Road Back

If you've already gone too far down the slope, take heart — many have walked this road before you, including King David. By God's grace, your story isn't over. Humble yourself, confess, and step into the light. Reach out for Christian counseling and lean on the Support Groups that exist to walk this road with you, and let your failures deepen your dependence on the God who forgives completely.