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Guard Your Affections, September 8
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14
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I would warn you [Counsel to a young woman.] to be guarded as to
where you bestow your affections.... Remember that your life belongs
to Jesus, and that you are not to live for yourself alone. You are not to
enter into the marriage relation with an unbeliever; for in so doing, you
do exactly contrary to that which Jesus has commanded. Shun those who
are irreverent. Shun one who is a lover of idleness; shun the one who is
a scoffer of hallowed things. Avoid the society of one who uses profane
language, or is addicted to the use of even one glass of liquor. Listen not
to the proposals of a man who has no realization of his responsibility to
God.
The pure truth, which sanctifies the soul, will give you courage to
cut yourself loose from the most pleasing acquaintance whom you know
does not love and fear God, and knows nothing of the principles of true
righteousness. We may always bear with a friend’s infirmities and with
his ignorance, but never with his vices. Never marry an unbeliever.
I am only voicing to you the word of God, for He declares that such
a union will result in drawing away your heart from loving and serving
Him.... As a child of God, you are permitted to contract marriage only
in the Lord.... Should you consent to unite your life with that of an
unbeliever, you would be disregarding the Word of God and imperiling
your soul....
Your life is too precious a thing to be treated as of little worth. Calvary
testifies to you the value of your soul.
Let every step toward a marriage alliance be characterized by modesty,
simplicity, sincerity, and an earnest purpose to please and honor God.
Marriage affects the afterlife both in this world and in the world to come.
A sincere Christian will make no plans that God cannot approve.... Make
Christ your counselor. Study His word with prayer.
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