How to Forgive When Someone Covets Your Wife or
Husband
First, lets get the definition of “covet” out
of the way. To covet means to
desire what belongs to another. As we all know coveting another
man’s wife or another woman’s husband is seriously wrong, even if it
were not taught in the Word of God it would be gravely wrong!
Deuteronomy 5:21 specifically tells us to not covet our neighbors wife
or anything that belongs to our neighbor.
When a man or woman desires what does not belong to
him or her such as when a man desires a married woman, he is coveting
another man’s wife and I believe coveting the marriage. When a man or
woman looks at a married person lustfully (with desire) they are
coveting. So in retrospect this means they have already sinned in their
heart even BEFORE adultery has taken place; because of wrong thinking in
their heart they are controlled by sin before it happens.
Understanding Forgiveness
Forgiving other’s who trespass against our
marriage is difficult but something that Christ asks us to do. One huge
reason why we are to forgive is because we live in a depraved world, and
if we do not learn forgiveness we will constantly feel resentful, angry
and bitter towards others. One way we can begin to understand
forgiveness is to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes for a
moment. We may not have tried to seduce another man’s wife, but we
still have sinned. Would you want to be forgiven? Do you want Jesus to
forgive you your sins?
Another way to understand forgiveness is to realize
that those people who try to seduce another mans’ wife or vice versa
are spiritually sick people—they do not have the faith in Christ to
give up wrong desires of this world and no hope in their hearts for
salvation, What this means is they have not yet TRUSTED in Christ enough
to give up THIS LIFE for a new life with Him! They still need
spiritual healing.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present
world; (Titus 2:11-12)
The fact is when you forgive others who have
trespassed against your marriage you show how Christ is working in your
life, because true forgiveness cannot be achieved without the workings
of the Holy Spirit. When you forgive, it helps the sinner come to Jesus
Christ. Think about this
for a moment. Could unforgiveness prevent someone from turning their
life around and seeking Christ? Absolutely it can!
Christ Ones are God’s chosen vessels to use for
the purpose of bringing sinners to Him. If your life is not controlled
by sin (slavery to sin) then you are chosen to bring others to Him
through your righteous example; perhaps that is through your
forgiveness. This is one way in which God uses us for His Kingdom.
You were bought at a price (Christ’ death) and for a purpose!! The
only reason anyone can truly forgive others is because they have already
been healed through Christ. Christ Ones have been given the power (Holy
Spirit) to forgive others who covet, seduce, look at lustfully or
otherwise trespass against their spouse/marriage.
Have You Really Forgiven?
How will you know if you have really
forgiven or not? Well, if you have not forgiven your heart will surely
let you know because you will feel anger, resentment, jealousy, and much
pain and suffering because of the sins of another person. Let’s take a
look at why you need to forgive and why you may not have forgiven.
* If you still feel like throwing stones at
the person who coveted your spouse it means you still need spiritual
healing yourself. Harboring anger and resentment are sure tell-tells
that you have not truly forgiven. Ephesians 4:32
* If you want to forgive but are finding it
difficult it means you have not put your faith and trust with Christ to
help you forgive. Remember you alone do not have the spiritual resolve
to forgive-Christ empowers you with the Holy Spirit so you can forgive.
Ephesians 1:7
* We’re all sinners, even you. If we can’t
forgive others how will Christ forgive us our sins? Mark 11:25
* Forgiveness influences others to seek Christ
because when you forgive they see Christ working in you.
* Seek God’s will for your marriage and He will
give you the knowledge to protect your marriage under His spiritual
truths and wisdom.
Through wisdom is a house built: and by
understanding it is established. (Proverbs 24:3)
Stay tuned for (Part 2) How to Protect Your
Marriage From Covetousness
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Copyright
2010 Heaven Ministries: http://www.heavenministries.com
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