Open red table talk has given us the will to become wordsmiths; leaving the truth to be all but jaded. The word ‘entanglement’ has suddenly hit biblical proportions, I mean, ten commandments type biblical. The truth is, whatever sanitized version of the word we choose, the awkwardness, pain and embarrassment associated with adultery is still as clear as day, even years later. I glance in the mirror as I share these musings.
Coming to light
Darkness is an interesting thing. Its father deceives and tenderly cultivates in secret there; tricks the mind into the fake assurance of anonymity, damage-free pleasure and inch-length compromise. Then when fully grown, taking a mile, it removes the mask, its ‘complicated’ relationship with light is revealed and the damage control is almost frantic. How interesting it is that men (and women) love darkness, rather than light; forgetting that “nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light” (Luke chapter 8 verse17). It is always only a matter of time.
Coming to roost
Not only is there no such thing as real anonymity, the ever-attractive fantasy of pleasure without consequences is an unadulterated lie. Sexual immorality, unique among sins, is Poison Ivy to the souls involved, through and through (1st. Corinthians chapter 6 verse 18). Adultery amplifies the destruction, like the blast born from the split of an atom, the breach of the sanctity and beauty of the marital covenant, the highest form of human relationship between a man and wife, sends waves of palpable and inescapable anguish and embarrassment. They still find you after years, wreaking havoc, near or far, on those seduced by it. Children in this situation bear the blow in their emotional development, wounding their ability to trust, respect and love. Any hope of honourable legacy is suddenly swept away in a tidal wave of disappointment; the moment of sweet, leaving near eternal sour, that cannot be scoured from your story. And for what? What does a man have that has lost his honour? Solomon, the wisest man of all, speaking of adultery said “Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you lose your honour”, (Proverbs chapter 5 verses 7-14). This after describing the adulterous woman as a sexy looking, bitter gall that pierces as a double-edged sword, whose feet lead down to the grave. Entanglement is that bitterly injurious, everything and everyone connected takes a hit; nuclear.
Inches morph to miles
The late, great Christian philosopher and apologist, Ravi Zacharias, once said “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay”. Just replace the word ‘sin’, with ‘adultery’ and read that powerful thought again. One starts out enticed by the deception of mere inch-length compromise; “barely anything” the devil says, “just a little entanglement”; not mentioning the fine print, that he has entangled inches with miles, days with years and flesh with soul; entanglement.
Marriage a matter of war
Because of the nature of marriage, it is always a matter of war. The enemy of our souls hates God, all his creation and everything about him. Marriage is a representation of God and his relationship with the church. The enemy can’t stand God and he can’t stand marriage! Married couples and prospective couples should always remember that devil will do all he can to entangle each of you, to destroy their marriage, witness and honour as an assault on God Himself. We must remain vigilant and cut off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance, the marital race marked out for us (Hebrews chapter 12 verse 2) For we are no longer unaware of the enemy’s deceitful and destructive schemes of “entanglement”.
Dr. Daniel Thomas is a medical doctor and Christian Advocate who loves the Lord deeply. He is married to Grace-ann Thomas the love of his life and currently leads a youth organization called the Love March Movement; which is committed to empowering the youth to fight for sexual purity and the family in Jamaica.