🏝️In the last two days, we’ve looked at Maturity and Temperance in Marriage. Spouses must walk in self-control, discernment and moderation.
🏝️However, there’s a very important need to speak about balance in these things because some Spouses have the penchant for taking an ordinarily good virtue to the extreme only to create a hindrance and obstruction to the peace, growth and harmony of their marriage.
🏝️Salt is good yet it must be used in restrained measures or else it completely ruins an otherwise good meal. So also is Temperance. There’s the need for Spouses to be matured in their exercise of Temperance. Our adherence to Temperance doesn’t mean we should despise romance, passion, affection and sexual intimacy and to begin to see them as carnal, worldly, sensual and unspiritual. No. No. No. And again, No!
🏝️Romance, passion, affection and sexual intimacy are part of the spiritual life. They’re a big part of the support system that uphold our spiritual lives, just as Aaron and Hur upheld the hands of Moses.
🏝️Therefore, we must have a proper understanding of the place, purpose and position of Temperance in Marriage and let it stay there. Just as the place of Salt is in the kitchen and not the bedroom, so also is the place of Temperance in the times when it’s inappropriate, immature and unwise for Spouses to touch or sleep with each other. We can see a picture of this in the journey of the children of Israel from the wilderness Shur to Elim.
🏜️🏜️🏜️IN THE WILDERNESS OF SHUR
After leaving the Red Sea where there was a great abundance of water, the children of Israel walked for three days without finding Water anywhere on the way.
This meant that for three days which was 72 long hours, no one could bathe. This also means the couples couldn’t make love either! How do couples make love with sweaty, malodorous and gummy bodies?
Now, the question is? Did God know there was no water on that way before leading them through it ? Yes, He knew perfectly well. He wanted them to walk in abstinence and temperance all of that time.
🏝️🌴🏝️THE RESORT OF DELIGHT CALLED ELIM!
But not long after, He brought them to Elim where there were twelve Wells of water and 70 palm trees. Talk of a beautiful and scenic resort and you needn’t look any further! Elim was it! It was an excellent romantic spot. And God brought them here not to pass through hurriedly and get to the next place. He intended the people to camp there and enjoy it’s beauty and bounties!
🏝️🌴🏝️Now, did God have to tell Moses to announce to the couples to bathe, dress gorgeously and enjoy romantic and sexual thrills? No! They knew what to do. It was obvious that the time for temperance and abstinence was over and that it was time for lavish and extravagant enjoyment of each other’s body. And they did just that.
🏝️🌴🏝️Similarly, you and your Spouse must be maritally intelligent enough to recognize when to switch on Abstinence and Temperance and when to switch them off and switch on Lavish Romantic Love.
There’s nothing good about being a matrimonial dunces or “emptyheads” who carry one good instruction and misuses it to the detriment of their marriage, home and love lives.
🏝️🌴🏝️Before closing, it’s important for us to note that maritally, Water is representative of Sexual Intimacy.
When God let the children pass through the wilderness of Shur where there was no water, it was matrimonially a sign that said: “No Sex For Now”. And when they came to Elim where there were 12 Wells and 70 palm trees, the sign changed to “Yes, It’s Time For Sex. Enjoy Each Other Lavishly.”
And when you look at the pattern of life generally, you’ll find that God brings us to one wilderness of Shur now and after that ushers us into a sweet Elim where there are 12 Wells and 70 Palm trees. And after sometime the pattern repeats itself. And on and on and on.
🏝️🌴🏝️It’s left for you and your Spouse to be a wise couple who understand where God has brought you in your marital journey at a particular time and to use temperance or enjoy lavish romance and affection!
🏝️🌴🏝️In a nutshell, be able to recognize when it’s time to exercise abstinence and temperance and when it’s time to switch them off and switch on Lavish Romantic Love.🏝️🌴🏝️🌴🏝️🌴🏝️🌴🏝️
💕❤️Tonight’s Assignment In The Bedroom:
Reread today’s devotional piece together and discuss it.
✝️ Jesus Is Lord Forever!
Only Jesus can save your soul from going to Hell.
If you haven’t yet received Him, please ask Him to come into your heart and save you and He will.
Please, don’t delay! Receive Him Today!