It’s interesting to me the environment we’ve tried to promote here over the years.  We have different ones that come and go, “Well, you know...”  We’re talking about texting relationships in general.  Texting, not to touch them, not to separate yourselves and be alone.  “I’m 50 years old.”  So, you mean 50‑year-olds have some special asbestos device that allows them to take fire into their bosom and not be burned just because they’re an old dude?  Let me tell you, it doesn’t go away.  There is no age limit so that the flesh no longer is the flesh.  Those desires, those thoughts, should only be directed in one way, and that’s to your wife or to your husband.  Amen?  We think this is just a male problem, but it’s not.  Ladies, since we’re talking to you right now, all of these different thoughts about how so many other women’s husbands are so much better than yours have to be pulled down.  “Boy, I wish you would perform and minister like so-and-so and be as prominent as this individual,” or the tendency to be impressed by apparent successes.  I’m talking about in the spiritual realm.  I’m not even talking about secular position or income or any of those type of things.  No one else can be your hero, your best friend, your lover but your husband.  Amen?

When we begin to see those aspects of our domestic lives, what is involved in marriage and in the home?  We have to continue to deal with these issues, pull down evil imaginations, crucify your flesh on a daily basis.  Paul goes on to say, “It could be better for you if you were as I am.”  And yet, Paul, then, goes on to tell us something.  We’ll look at these circumstances as Paul is speaking to this church, this newly founded church with these people who have just come into this new walk of holiness, purity, and righteousness.  He said, “I wish you were as I am, but if you can’t contain then let them marry.”  Now, Paul speaks to us wisdom in another place, doesn’t he?  He says, “Listen, if you’re single, then remain single.”  Wait for the wisdom of God.  Wait for God to bring into your life a helpmeet, a lover.  And while you’re in that role, you can then serve with great effect the body of Christ in a way that you cannot when you get married.  Because with marriage, then, your first responsibility becomes your spouse.  You two work together.  Two putting 10,000 to flight if it’s working correctly.  But in this particular situation, Paul’s not speaking toward that. 

He goes on and says, “If you can’t contain, if you don’t want to stay celibate, if you don’t want to use your life and give your life fully into the kingdom, there’s nothing wrong with that.  Go ahead and marry but let not the wife put away from her husband.  Don’t let her depart, but if she departs, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband.  And let not the husband put away his wife.”  Remember, he’s answering the questions that were asked of him.  So, you see, this little different segment changes as he’s going down through this narrative.  So, if you’re going to get married, get married, but stay married.  What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.  So don’t take it lightly.  You can’t just try marriage out, basically, is what Paul’s saying here.  So, if you can’t remain single, get married.  If you get married, stay married.