1st Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This passage of scripture not only encourages us to cooperate with God in the process of our sanctification, but it also cautions us to refrain from indulging in that which may even appear to be evil, lest the name of Christ suffer reproach on account of any ill-advised moves on our part, and thereby our "good" be evil-spoken of. This admonition is particularly relevant to Christians today, where there are many counselors and advisors for every adverse situation that may develop in relationships with the opposite sex. One of the more common scenarios we need to be wary of, occurs when a man or a woman is having difficulty in their marriage, and they go to the someone of the opposite sex, seeking advice on how to handle the situation.
During these times, men and women are especially vulnerable to the subtle temptations of our adversary, through the manifestation of undue sympathy, in order to fill a supposed or even a realistic void, created as a result of neglect or abuse on the part of one's spouse. A situation might develop between a man and his wife where she may not feel as loved as she needs to be, and the attentions that are necessary to keep her spirits up is lacking for some known or unknown reason. Another man recognizes her plight, and with an upright motive and a sincere heart, befriends her and speaks comfortably to her to lift her spirits up, yet such a relationship is pregnant with temptations, as her emotions and feelings toward the "honest advisor", deepens with every counseling session that occurs.
Then one night when her husband is away on duty, and she feels depressed, she again calls for another "counseling session", and the advisor goes to her home late at night to encourage her, and he is seen leaving her home in the wee hours of the morning. Now although nothing of a questionable nature may have occurred, yet there is something disturbing about the visual aspect of such a situation, for anyone who sees his exit from her home at such an ungodly hour, could come to the wrong conclusion, and thereby start a series of unfounded rumors which can then bring reproach upon the cause of Christ. As Christians we are advised in the scriptures to exercise sound wisdom and discretion in all that we say or do, so that the devil isn't inadvertently given any fuel for the fire, by any ill-advised actions and communications on our part. Let's read:
Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers" ........ "teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
God is much more practical and "down to earth" in the instructions which He gives us, and furthermore, we should as Christians form the habit of taking our troubles and concerns to The Mighty Counselor, who will never betray sacred trusts, nor expose our innermost feelings to human ears, if it is not in our best interest. Any situation that may develop between husbands and wives who have given their lives to Christ, can be resolved under God, for he has all of the solutions and remedies to our most perplexing problems. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to take our problems to Jesus for resolution, for He has promised that He will hear and answer us when we cry. Let's read:
1st Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
May God add his blessing to the study and doing of His every word, for He knows what's best for His children. "Good night" and God bless!