Steaks and Hamburgers

Most Christians are greatly encouraged that Kirk Cameron refused to even kiss another woman on or off camera. How prude that must seem to Hollywood, whose actors jump in and out of bed with each other, on and off camera. I wonder if they connect the fact that honor and trust are the ingredients that keep a marriage not only together, but keep it fresh and exciting. Probably not, even in the light of a trail of broken marriage and busted families.

One unique aspect to the life of an Academy-Award winning superstar who died recently, was that he was married to the same woman for an amazing 50 years. He once told Playboy magazine (when asked if he was tempted to stray), "I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?" The problem with such a philosophy is, what happens when the steak gets a little tough? It’s then that a juicy hamburger begins to look pretty inviting.

The Christian safeguards his marriage by cultivating the fear of the Lord. That is the sure fire way to fireproof any marriage. He admits that his heart loves to sin, and he perpetually turns from it at the eye-gate, and that keeps it from his heart. The key is in conversion. The new birth (see John 3:1-5) gives him the desire to please God and do that which is pleasing in His sight. Then, he simply reminds himself that the eye of the Lord is in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good, and that He will bring into judgment every secret thing, whether it’s good or evil.

That knowledge keeps his eyes off all those delicious hamburgers, and that safeguards his marriage. But he knows that it’s more than his marriage that’s at stake. Those who stray with the eye reveal a hypocrite at heart . . . and no hypocrite will enter the Kingdom of God.