Semper Fidelis

(Proverbs 5:15 KJV)  Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.

Here begins a passage that speaks figuratively about fidelity in marriage.  This is one of the fundamental foundations of the Christian life and it is one that is being attacked regularly by our pagan culture.  As I read polls about attitudes I am encouraged by the attitudes about abortion and discouraged by the attitudes toward marriage and family.  This is more than gay marriage.  We are witnessing the decomposing of what has been bedrock in the past.

The point in these verses is fidelity.  The U.S. Marines have a motto, “Semper Fidelis.”  I believe it means “always faithful.”  It is a good theme for our families.  We are to be faithful to one husband or wife.  We know this is talking about marriage because in verse 18 it specifically mentions “wife.”  Think about this a little.  I don’t know how much you read.  I enjoy a wide variety of fiction:  Science fiction, some fantasy, mysteries, spy novels, historical fiction, almost anything but romance and horror.  If you look at the main characters you rarely find one in a committed, monogamous marriage.  The closest they come is a marriage in which one person has died.  I just sampled a new series.  The author had a good number of books under her belt.  I was looking forward to some good reading.  Before the first paragraph was done I knew that she was living and sleeping with a man who was not her husband.  Within the first few pages she managed to introduce the stereotype of the narrow minded Christian and the open minded old lady who not only jogs at 80 years of age but is not judgmental of the young woman’s sleeping arrangements.  The nonsense got so thick that I quit reading after a couple of short chapters.

Our minds are being polluted by this.  Our children don’t have the accumulated understanding that we might have.  They are easy prey.  I don’t watch TV, so I don’t know what is there, but we need to be aware. 

So?  If you are married, commit yourself to being faithful.  If you are not married, do not sell yourself to the current fad in relationships.  God has a standard.  One man, one women, a covenant for life.  Drink from your own cistern.