In danger zones, the possibility of destructive things happening are substantially higher than normal. Therefore, prior to entering these areas, you’ll likely find signs like: “Don’t touch,” “Do not enter,” “Slippery when wet” and “High voltage area.” Warnings like these are to give advance notice that there are repercussions if you choose to disobey. These repercussions may range from serious injury to death. To take the chance, just for a moment of thrill, all while hoping that you’ll somehow escape the damaging consequences would be foolish. Now, let’s look at this from a more spiritual perspective.
The Bible uses several words that we interpret as “sin,” but ultimately, they all have the same meaning. The fact is—a sin is anything that does not glorify God. It may be something we do or say (or don’t do or say). It could even be an evil thought or selfish motive, but whatever it is, it is not God’s will for us, and He tells us so by clearly marking the danger zones. Doing these things, despite what God says in His Word, come with consequences as detrimental as eternal damnation. To take the chance, hoping we will somehow escape the worst of the worst, would be foolish. “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (Matthew 7:26).
Further spiritually speaking, a danger zone is an area with anti-Christ-like characteristics. The boundaries dividing what is godly from what is ungodly is clearly labeled and set in what we know to be the Word of God. The B.I.B.L.E. (Best Instructional Book for Living Every day).
How does all this correlate to the institution of the marriage covenant? God has a set standard of boundaries wherein the husband and wife MUST function. Stepping outside of the set boundaries will lead them into a danger zone filled with things that will not only damage their marriage, but they may very well destroy the couple’s union beyond repair!
In the Bible, we have a vivid reminder of the first marriage wherein God created a place for the first married couple. God provided food and gave divine directives as to their roles and purpose. They had everything! A beautiful marriage. A gorgeous home. Everything they needed without having to work for any of it. It was all given to them by God. And all they had to do to keep it all was be obedient to God’s instructions. But right there in the Garden of Eden, Eve allowed herself to be seduced by deception. “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it” (Genesis 3:6). Her choice to partake of something that God forbade was a costly error. Adam soon followed his wife right into the same danger zone, and because of their blatant disobedience, they lost everything!
We’re living in a time now, when it seems that more married people than ever are entering danger zones. We’re not referencing outright sinners; we’re speaking of those who testify of being Spirit-filled believers in Jesus Christ. The rise in numbers is frightening of those who are being exposed as unfaithful spouses. So-called Christian husbands and wives are being caught in scandalous situations. The enemy is having a field day at the expense of those who should be a reflection of Christ in the earth. Instead, they’re bringing shame, not only to their families, but also to the household of faith.
As a covenant couple who have a heart and a passion for marriage and family, it literally breaks our hearts to see husbands injured by unfaithful wives and wives crushed by unfaithful husbands. It saddens us to see marriages crashing and burning because people are disregarding and defying God’s order for covenant keepers with the misguided belief that they will escape exposure. The danger zone sign in Numbers 32:23 says, “… behold you have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”
Disobedience to God’s Word is a danger zone, but mankind does it on a regular. Because God is merciful, and His judgement doesn’t always come swiftly, men and women have made sin a routine (refer to Ecclesiastes 8:11). And then, in their defiance of correction, they shun people who attempt to give guidance regarding their wrongdoing. Scripture tells us in Proverbs 12:15 (Amplified Bible), “The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes, But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.”
Truly, all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), but that verse of Scripture is not an excuse to willfully sin. God requires that we live holy. Have you ever asked yourself why He does not want us to sin? It’s not because He wants to take all the fun out of life and make us miserable—not at all. Instead, God loves us, and He knows far better than we do what is best for us. He also knows what will hurt us or keep us from true happiness, and when we do those things, we only hurt ourselves. Sin always hurts us—always.
When it comes to marriage, some things are clearly just not God’s will for the husband or wife. He has told us about them in His Word. Before we permit things in our lives, we should ask some questions. What does the Bible say about this? Have I prayed and asked God if these are pleasing to Him? Would I be humiliated or ashamed if others knew what I’m doing? Would my actions lead my family or loved ones off the course of God’s ordained path?
Years ago, a godly man once advised; “If in doubt — don’t do it!” The Amplified Bible states in Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory.”
The true issue, nonetheless, is this: What place does Jesus Christ hold in your marriage? Make sure of your commitment to Him and make it your goal to pursue Him in every aspect of life. The Bible says, “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
Longings outside of God’s design for our marriages, are often stimulated by the sinful desires which dwell within us as human beings. These yearnings are itching to be satisfied. The more that these desires take up habitation in our hearts, the harder it will be to say, “No,” to harmful destructive behaviors and say, “Yes,” to God’s will for marriage.
Many husbands and wives today are living in a fantasy world of their own making. They have seen some images in this world’s culture that lure them into this danger zone. They have concocted some grand plot in their minds, or they are living in the stupor that an illicit relationship produces. They are charging ahead at all cost in hunt of their personal, selfish goals. It excites them. It motivates them…
But is it really worth losing your marriage and your family? Rest assured, if it is outside of God’s will for your life, and you willingly disregard the dangers associated with those choices, the place where it is leading is deadly.
“Beware!” “Keep out!” “Poison!” Pay attention to the signs and avoid the danger zone!!
Drs. Michael & Kendra Holmes are the senior pastors of Deliverance Revival Church in Warner Robins, the founders of Royalty Relationship Coaching, LLC, the authors of the 31-day devotional, “Cross-Fire: Igniting Passionate, Purposeful, and Powerful Relationships,” and guest hosts of the new television talk show, “The Marriage Circle Connection.” W.A.R. is an acronym for “We Are Royalty,” the official slogan of Royalty Relationship Coaching, LLC. Visit the website at www.RoyaltyRelationshipCoaching.com.
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