In this chapter, Alcorn gives numerous very helpful ideas for protecting our marriages and our children. There were so many that I found myself highlighting almost every sentence! I thought I’d present some of his ideas in list form for this chapter to help us think about them and use this as a reminder tool. He raises an appropriate alarm flag when he says that “A relationship can be inappropriate long before it becomes sexual.” Here are some of the ideas and safeguards.
Guarding Your Marriage
- Beware of seemingly innocent secrets that you share with someone other than your spouse.
- At work, surround yourself with reminders of your spouse and children.
- When away, call frequently.
- Speak highly of your spouse. Never let anyone hear you degrading them.
- Don’t share marriage problems with members of the opposite sex unless it is a professional counseling setting.
- Pray with and for each other.
- Take care of your physical health. This can affect temptation weakness.
- Be as attractive to your mate as you can. Be modest with others in public, and sexy with your spouse in private — never the opposite.
- Work hard to bring your spouse into your world.
- Listen to one another.
- Train your eyes to turn away from stimulating images and fix them upon your spouse. When your sex drive is activated, lock it on your spouse. Amen!
- Treasure your marriage partner.
- Get help when you need it.
What a great list of practical ideas to help guard our marriages from impurity!
Raising Pure Children
- Sometimes our children may fail to listen to us. Rarely will they fail to imitate us. Men, think about the example you set with what you look at, say, and how you cherish your wife.
- Show our kids a loving, affectionate, and pure marriage.
- Teach them self-control in other areas as well.
- Do not allow private, unmonitored internet access. This includes from a computer, phone, gaming unit, tv, etc.
- Help screen your children’s clothing. Explain why to them.
- Make sure you are the one to teach your children about sex. Alcorn says, “Speak of sex not just as biology, but in the context of values, responsibility, and marriage.”
- Know your child!
- I would add to memorize some verses on purity with them
These are just a few ideas under each category, but it gets us going. Men, let’s make this important enough to follow through!
