Looking at a man with a beautiful wife and family, one has
to ask the question, "Why would Governor Spitzer do this?" Not only
has he been connected to prostitutes for over six years, but he has been using
the alias of a close friend to cover himself! Wow, what a governor, husband,
father, and friend! CLICK
HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE:
In the midst of all the commotion, I have been mulling over
a thought that I finally scribbled down. Please do read! And if you have
anything to add, please do so!
INFIDEL(ity)
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:
in•fi•del•i•ty
1: lack of belief in a religion
2: unfaithfulness to a moral obligation; disloyalty
3: marital unfaithfulness or an instance of it
This 15th Century word has been the catch-phrase for
countless controversies and cataclysmic events, ranging from religious strife
to marital madness.
According to the Encyclopedia of Islam, an infidel is a person
who does not acknowledge Allah as God. Of course we know that this religion which
is stained with violence, terrorism and revulsion commands all infidels to be
converted or be killed, (Koran, Surah 9:5).
The King James Version Bible only mentions the word infidel
twice, both in reference to a person who does not believe in God or his word.
Aside from the religious context, the relevance of this word
has become all too real in the day and age we live in. In Second Timothy chapter three, Paul warns
Timothy that in the last days, perilous times would come. It also describes the
various characteristics that would be the prevailing attitude in the hearts of
men and women. I truly believe that if
Paul could have summarized these traits into one word, he would have used the
word, "Infidelity."
Everywhere we turn, whether it's in politics, sports, social
figures, neighbors, co-workers, friends, or even family, the effects of
infidelity have ravaged our society. If
you think like me (or if I think like you), you probably have already determined
that this is going to be a write-up on the necessities of staying true to your marriage
or relationship. Well, you're almost
half right. The heart of the matter is really based upon the fact that
infidelity is an infraction of a higher obligation than marriage; it speaks to
the position and alignment of man and God.
In broader terms, infidelity is a violation of the mutually
agreed-upon rules or boundaries of a relationship. Throughout history, starting
with Adam and Eve, God has made covenants, promises, and agreements with
humanity for the sole purpose of a relationship. Yet after God did everything except
bend over backwards for humanity, the Bible is still replete with stories of
how man constantly broke the contract. The psalmist David, after looking out at
the landscape of humanity, wrote the words, "Help,
LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children
of men" (Psalms 12:1, KJV).
To illustrate this grand fiasco, the Old Testament Prophet,
Hosea, was instructed by God to marry a prostitute named Gomer. After their marriage, she conceived and bore
Hosea a child, yet she did not give up her career as a prostitute. When Hosea
and Gomer first married, she probably promised eternal love and devotion. She probably showed every sign of being
committed to Hosea. But after a while,
and in difficult circumstances, she fell back into prostitution. Perhaps it was out of boredom. Perhaps it was out of a feeling of
neglect. Perhaps it was out of a sense
of need. Sadly, this describes the many
promises we have made to God. The cycle begins
with either a love for God or a desire to improve a disheveled life. Either
way, God, in his loving kindness, stretches out loving arms of mercy, and a new
covenant is made. Yet after a period of
time if we don't keep our love for God fresh and alive, somehow our humanity manipulates
a way to fall right back into the mire and debauchery that we once left to draw
closer to God.
Looking at the larger spectrum, this generation continues to
slide down Mount Degeneration without a care in the
world. There was a time, not too long
ago, when public leaders, icons and role models were revered and respected for
their commitment to a certain moral standard. In our country, many, if not most
of them, were religious and God fearing people. But as the Zeitgeist, or spirit
of the age, has digressed in a rapid fashion, more and more families have been
ravaged by the onslaught of hedonism in this "Post-Modern
Generation."
Frank Pittman, who wrote the book, "Grow Up: How Taking
Responsibility Can Make You a Happy Adult," observed that "infidelity is involved in 90% of first
time divorces." Also, a study performed by Kristina Gordon, a
professor in clinical psychology at the University of Tennessee,
found that "more than half of the
marriages that experience infidelity (known by the spouse) end in divorce."
A fascinating statement was made by Save Your Marriage
Central:
Because of the deep
connections created and forged by intimate emotional and physical/sexual
intercourse, we recognize and
acknowledge this form of infidelity as the most destructive to the marital bond
and therefore to society as a whole.
Again, I repeat the words of the Psalmist David, "Help, LORD; for the godly man
ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men" (Psalms
12:1, KJV).
I pray that you are reminded of the covenants God has made
with humanity, and of course the covenants you have made with God. This higher
level of living is not only a more clean and rewarding pathway, but is the road
towards deeper relationship with God. In
the event of a mistake or misstep, like King David himself experienced in the adulterous
affair with Bathsheeba and murder of her husband, God's grace is always just a
prayer a way! But the notion that it's
easier to ask for forgiveness than permission will lead you towards misery and
discontent.
Oh, one last thing... I encourage you to remind yourself of how important it is to be committed to your marriage (or even relationship). See, I told you that you were "almost half right."
Tim Torres
Express-Way / Endtime Generation Ministries
www.endtimegeneration.com
Very good thoughts, Tim!
Posted by: Living in Jordan | March 12, 2008 at 08:59 AM