Marriage and self control

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

The truth is available.

But the hour comes, and now is, when true worshippers shall worship The Father in spirit and in truth; for The Father seeks such to worship him.

“I love you, Mother,” said little John;
Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on,
And off he was to the garden swing,
Leaving his mother the wood to bring.

“I love you, Mother,” said rosy Nell,
“I love you better then tongue can tell.”
Then she teased and pouted half the day
Till Mother rejoiced when she went to play.

“I love you, Mother,” said little Fran;
Today I’ll help you all I can;
To the cradle then did she softly creep
And rocked the baby till it fell fast asleep.

Then stepping softly, she took the broom,
And swept the floor and dusted the room;
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and cheerful as child could be.

“I love you, Mother,” again they said,
Three little children going to bed;
How do you think that the mother guessed,
Which of them really loved her best?

Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For he who will save his life shall lose it, but he who shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's the same shall save it.

He who forsakes not all that he has, cannot be my disciple.

It seems impossible that Christians could say "I deserve a better mate", after reading these words.

… he who looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if your right eye offend you, pluck it out and cast it from you; … And if your right hand offend you, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish and not that your whole body should be cast into hell.

Lust and acting on the impulse of lust causes terrible situations and children often suffer the consequences.

But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he was cast into the depths of the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Woe unto the world because of offenses! Indeed, it is impossible but offenses will come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes.

It has been said, He who shall put away his wife let him give her a writing of divorcement; but I say unto you, That he who shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery. And he who puts away his wife and marries another, commits adultery. And he who marries her that is put away from her husband commits adultery.

… out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, pride, foolishness.

Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.

This adulteress was not stoned, but she was told to "sin no more".

What did Moses command you? For the hardness of your heart he wrote this precept. Have you not read; from the beginning of creation The Father made them male and female and said, for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh? So then they are no more twain but one flesh. What therefore The father has joined together let not man put asunder. Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery. And whosoever marries her which is put away commits adultery. Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, commits adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband and be married to another, she commits adultery. All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs which were so from their mother's womb; and some eunuchs were made eunuchs of men. And there be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Think on the significance of the placement of this statement. It is obvious that Jesus considered sex and reproduction unnecessary for His followers.

The children of this world marry and are given in marriage. But they which are worthy to obtain that world; when they shall rise in the resurrection from the dead; neither marry, nor are given in marriage but are as angels which are in heaven.

Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is God. But if you will enter into life, keep the commandments. You know the commandments. … You shall not commit adultery. …

A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.

These words of our Savior teach a clearly defined message. His followers are to discipline ourselves to live without adultery or fornication. Sexual intercourse is limited to a one-time married couple. Marriage is an important element in maintaining a Christian community.