Male-to-Female Friendship ~ Safe, or a Slippery Slope?

From Devotion: “Fleetingly Juliet thought of Tim and his effect on her needy heart. Confronting herself honestly, she had to admit how easy it had been to become ensnared by his ready affection and tender care. Had it been like that for Kellen?”

The conclusion Juliet reaches, alluded to in the above quote from Devotion provides a turning point. Through the course of the story, it’s easy to focus on Kellen’s fall, and his attempts at redemption. However, Juliet comes upon a struggle of her own when it comes to male-female relationships.

Think about the male-to-female interactions you encounter, and foster each day. Consider what is (and isn’t) appropriate when it comes to these connections, bearing in mind there’s nothing wrong with friendship between men and women. In our culture, consistent, even long-term interactions happen in a variety of environments—church, work, volunteer and community endeavors. There's nothing wrong with that at all.

However, a married couple must always keep their eyes on the prize of a sacred covenant. Fidelity forms the backbone of the relationship. So does truest. Analyze and discuss the ways in which you draw lines in relationships with members of the opposite sex.

Have you ever experienced an instant of chemistry, of attraction to someone other than your spouse? If so, how did you move past it? Have frustrations in your relationships intensified that reaction? If so, how do you feel that can change?

If you, or your spouse, have been unfaithful, consider the ways in which an authentic and sincere return to covenant vows, united worship and integrity might help you rebuild your relationship, and land it on solid ground.

Scriptural Contemplation/Reflection:

Read Mark 7:18-20

It’s what’s inside of us that does harm. Errant desires of the heart that work their way into our actions, our reactions and influence our way of living can wreak havoc on our relationships and our lives. Certainly it’s easy to throw up a righteous flag of caution when it comes to interactions between men and women. Chemistry, at times, can be very easy to spot, but very difficult to manage and contain. Think about Juliet, reciting the above verse from Mark during her Bible study gathering. How, at this very bleak point in their marriage, do you expect them to survive, and turn toward one another again?

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25 (NIV)