Undefiled

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

Today's Passage: Hebrews 13:1-8
Memory Verses: Heb. 13:4 and Gen. 2:25

It's interesting to me that, as passionate as spirit-filled believers are about Christ, many of us are equally ashamed of anything to do with intimacy inside of marriage. Well, you just can't talk about marriage without discussing intimacy. So here goes. Today's passage commands us to honor marriage and keep the bed of man and wife holy (YES, I SAID IT: MAN and WIFE! For this is still God's ONLY definition of marriage no matter what anyone else has turned it into).

So what does "undefiled" truly mean in this passage? Does it refer simply to there being no limit to the types of sexual acts that can be performed between husband and wife? I went to several Christian websites for some deeper insight, and found exactly that on the website of ministers/ marriage counselors Mike and Wanda Collins (check them out at www.Christian-marriage-today.com/about). One of the things they explained was that it's very easy for believers to take the Word out of context if not looking at the whole message within a particular scripture.

Having read ALL of verse 4, I understood them to mean that "undefiled" has less to do with how we interact with our spouses on an intimate level, and more to do with the things we MUST not allow to destroy that intimacy. God specifically says in this verse that fornicators and adulterers will be judged by God. That lets us know that God requires us to do everything possible to keep outside influences from defiling our marriage bed and removing the sacredness placed there by God when we said our vows. These influences include pornography, flirting with someone other than our spouses, and entertaining thoughts about others that make them look more desirable than the one God has blessed us with.

With that in mind, the word "undefiled" has taken on a new meaning for me. It helps me to understand that intimacy with my spouse is very much approved by God -- AS LONG AS IT IS NOT DEMEANING TO EITHER SPOUSE and brings no shame in the presence of God. But even more importantly, if I want to experience a deep intimacy and true fulfillment with my spouse like never before, nothing and no-one else can be brought into the marriage bed: not soul ties from past relationships, not fantasies about unholy sexual acts, or physical attraction to ANY other person than our mates. Jesus already warned us that the heart is where sin is committed. We must guard our marriages from the enemy's influence. This is truly what makes "undefiled" possible.

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us Your Word so that we can walk in the fulness of wisdom and understanding in all things. I repent now and renounce all soul ties from past relationships that may be hindering the intimacy between me and my spouse. As we become more intimate with You, may we be released to walk in the fulness of everything You intended for us when You created us. In Jesus' mighty Name we do pray, Amen.