No Husband Left Behind
HIM & HER — Together (on the Same Page)
[Bible]
Avoiding Intimacy At Times
“Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Corinthians 7:1-5)
[Who]
A Christian husband, married to his Christian wife, may decide to set aside his usual time of planned “pleasure” for something of greater desire right now. You may be asking yourself, “What in the world could he possibly want more than enjoying sexual intimacy with his wife?”
And a Christian wife, married to her Christian husband, also may choose to refrain from her usual time of marital embracing for something of bigger concern in the moment. By the way, do you think women are “more” or “less” interested in sexual pleasure inside of their healthy Christian marriage?
Both the husband and wife have their own “individual” lives as well. If one or both are actively working in a career, this alone can put some additional pressure on the marriage. Especially when the days are filled with long and tiring hours of manual labor. What else can you think of that may pull these two love birds apart throughout the week?
[When]
Please keep in mind, this is to be considered on a voluntary basis. I promise, there is no pressure at all. You and your spouse remain in the driver’s seat the entire time. Neither of you should feel you owe anyone else any explanation for your decision.
Remember, this is only to be explored as an option when both of you consent to do so. The husband and the wife decide together that they are both willing to deprive one another for a time. Of course, they should replace this “activity” with something else of significant value to both of them, right?
Probably the number one reason a Christian couple would ever consider “depriving” one another would be for greater “spiritual” influence. Especially during times of “fasting” and “prayer”, when you are willing to set aside your marital “routines” while reaching for that currently “unanswered” (and much needed) prayer of significant importance.
[Why]
These married Christians are determined to have their prayers “heard” and “answered”. Whatever it takes to really obtain Father God’s full attention. Maybe they feel the temporary need to avoid “sexuality”, but they have decided to set aside some time to pursue their Loving Heavenly Father for something far more critical.
Let us never forget that our Creator designed human beings to include: spirit, soul, body, and flesh. So, we are not saying to scrap your “fleshly” component for an intense “spiritual-only” life. Not at all. All four are important within your healthy Christian marriage. There may be times though when you decide to embrace a potentially intense method for certain times of prayer. Perhaps time will tell.
Lastly, consider your current stage of life. If you have recently married versus been in a long-time relationship. Honestly, some individuals can go without eating, at least for one meal or snack time while praying instead. Some couples can realistically abstain from sexual pleasure for at least one evening while turning their hearts to love on our Awesome God. Well, the choice is yours. Just remember to include your other half, in whatever decision you make.
From one who forever remains…
“Under the Shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1),
Shawn Episcopo
Christian Community for Married Men and Women — (Knights) & (Damsels)