Unfaithfulness and other possible traps.

From time to time one hears of marriages that are torn apart due to unfaithfulness displayed in online relationships.

I will confess that I am a member of, and regular user of Facebook (FB), that I exchange messages with, chat with and check “like” on postings made by men, women and children, other than those posted by my own family. What may one use as safe guards to prevent these 'friendships' from developing into something that may destroy a marriage (or two) and that would prevent the name of my God to be blasphemed?

Other lists may be out there, but here is my own non-legalistic list.

Honor God in all that you are doing, on or off the internet. The more this is ingrained in my character the less likely I will fall into something that would dishonor God.

Honor my marriage. Again, like the above statement, but I would also add the following. Let other people know, through conversations, maybe pictures, etc. that you are married and that your spouse – well, other than God, is your life. Post positive things about your spouse and your relationship. Don't allow yourself to start complaining or have a pity party regarding your spouse with another person on line.

Have a joint account, where available, with your spouse. While there may be times for a private conversation with someone (like ordering an birthday gift, etc. from a woodturner friend of yours) what should we hide from our spouse. And are not husband and wife one?

My wife is not on line. So I verbally pass on information gleaned from my worldwide contacts, also, her friends have learned to pass messages on to her through me. However, that is not my main point, which is be open in your communication on line. I have daughters, a daughter-in-law, and various other near and far relatives as well as people in the church in my friends list. So far I have not restricted my conversations or formed select lists of friends. I believe and hope that if some of the above named people saw conversations/responses that were not honoring God and that might be dishonoring to my marriage that they would confront me with this. And also, should not I do the same thing?

Limit your private conversations. I am not trying to be legalistic here by banning all private conversation, but I am aware of several things:

1. other marriages have been ruined due to 'friendships' that were not maintained as such.

2, Even though I am getting old, and am married, I have not found that the emotional mechanism that enables one to 'falling in love' has stopped working, therefore, I need to be aware if and when emotions kick in.

3, I am married, have I mentioned this yet?

Here is a thought I'll share, in closing. If it were God's will that my wife should pass away and I pursue marriage with one of my 'friends' on FB, or otherwise, would she know from personal experience or observation that I had flirted, etc, while married and thus that she might have cause for concern if she were to married me? Or would she know that her marriage was safe?

Pray for one another; the flesh is weak. Flee temptation.