July 22
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UNDISTRACTED DEVOTION TO THE LORD
32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
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In the earlier verses of this letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he had been advising the Corinthian believers to stay unmarried or be where they are when they are called by the Lord. In this part of his letter, he warns them from being distracted by many concerns in the world. He presented a comparison of the married versus the unmarried in terms of their distractions and priorities. Paul says in verse 32 that he wishes them all to be free from many concerns. In verses 33-34, he illustrates the ways that marriage can bring some distractions in the believer’s life. He points out that the married wife or husband’s interests are divided. The unmarried man or woman is concerned with the things of the Lord and can give their full attention to serving the Lord, whereas the married man or woman have to fulfill their duties to their spouses which may bring a conflict in interest. It can compete with one’s priority and attention that should be wholeheartedly given to the Lord. There are less responsibilities and duties to a single person rather than those with spouses and children.
I can attest to the distraction that marriage can bring to one’s walk with the Lord. It is very easy for us to please the one we married and make them first than the Lord. Of course, Paul wasn’t prohibiting marriage, but merely pointing out how easily we can make our spouses and children idols that may compete with making the Lord first in everything. Before I was truly saved, my life was focused on serving my husband rather than making the Lord first. I am thankful to the Lord that He has corrected this. Now, my husband knows that my Lord comes first in my life. He knows I love him but my love for my Master can never compare with my love for anyone else. It took a while before he understood what that meant. We must seek to secure undistracted devotion to our Lord and Savior.
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REFLECTION
• How can married people avoid making idols of their spouses?