I met them when I was young and together they were quite the power couple. She was very attractive and nurturing. She always talked about the importance of building meaningful relationships in the family, connecting with others in the community, and loving everyone unconditionally. The husband, on the other hand, talked about one thing, a personal relationship with heaven and loving people. He said the only way to live and love anyone came by the spirit of truth. It seemed they were not on the same page but time after time I heard them speak of their deep unconditional love for each other. He often looked into her eyes and said, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you.” Excited and bubbling over, she’d sing their favorite love song, he would join in, and then they would embrace and kiss. He could sing but his wife’s vocal performance had captivated me. At the time I did not realize it but I had given in to my own desires and fallen in lust with another man’s wife. So began my affair with the other woman.
Years passed. My wife and I were now married with a family and as newlyweds we counseled with them daily. Who’s the power couple I am referring to? I am talking about Jesus and his wife the church. This twosome always urged us and guided us along in obedience. We just loved being in their presence or could it be I loved being in her presence? Yes! The more I was around the church I fantasize on her beauty and became occupied with her bedroom eyes. Can you build a fire in your lap and not burn your pants? Can you walk barefoot on hot coals and not get blisters? It’s the same when you lust after your neighbor’s wife. Touch her and you will pay for it. Anytime and anywhere I seen the church I hugged her and she hugged me. Our anytime anywhere meetings also consisted of a smile and a soul-stirring gaze that left me pregnant with life! The church started sleeping in the same bed with me and my wife. I couldn’t get the church and her needs out of mind. I went to bed and woke up thinking about this woman!
Lust never quits! Like a woman delivering a baby, it will painfully deliver sin into your world and hurt into your family’s world. I started giving less attention and affection to my wife and children. My wife told me I was too involved with this married woman and I needed to spend more time with our family. I told my wife I loved her and only her. I assured her that the woman's husband was at all our meetings and as a leader I couldn’t forsake the required get-togethers. The meetings and excuses kept growing and I saw less of my family and less of the church’s husband, Jesus! Lust had me needing more of the church’s attention and less of my families love! Strangely, when around her husband the church didn't compliment me but as soon as he’d leave she would tell me how much she needed my gifts and talents. Around my wife and family she acted the same way! I felt off course in my life! I felt alive in a sense and dead at the same time. Something was right, something was wrong, and something had …changed.
Our relationship appeared dead-on until her husband Jesus came to my house and challenged me. I invited him into our living room. Standing he said, “Adultery is a brainless act, soul-destroying, self-destructive; expect a bloody nose, a black eye, and a reputation ruined for good. Nothing you say or pay will make it right; neither bribes nor reasons will satisfy the cheated husband.” I told him I hadn't slept with any woman since marrying my wife. He said, “You are right, but you sure are spending a lot of time lusting after my wife the church. The temptation to give in to evil came from you and only you. You have no one to blame but the seducing flare-up of your own lust. Your lust got pregnant and had a baby named sin! Sin grew up to an adult and became your killer.” He encouraged me to remove his spouse, the church, from my imagination and embrace his example of how to unconditionally love a wife and a family. He suggested that I take care of my wife and family and let him take care of his. He said I should practice keeping the image of my wife and family in me by spending more time discovering their daily needs. As I fell to my knees, crying and repenting, my wife and children ran into the room thanking Jesus for answering their prayers. Jesus reminded me of the day our families met and how that meeting changed all of our lives. My wife, my family, and Jesus forgave me, hugged me, and didn't bring it up again. I promised my wife and family I wouldn’t neglect them again and I forgave myself. So, my very dear friends don't get thrown off course thinking the church seduced me. My own lust seduced me!
