Author: Lee Wilson

I have never set out to sin, planning my day around deceitful or sinful behavior. Those things seem to come naturally. Our sinful nature instinctively resists obedience because our hearts are naturally rebellious (Romans 3:23).

Perhaps that is why God gives us commands and instructions in Scripture to begin with. The Bible is filled with direct, intentional instruction, correction, and guidance. When God commands us to avoid adultery (Exodus 20:14), and later Jesus reinforces that command with even greater clarity (Matthew 5:27–28), it becomes unmistakably clear that this is something we must take seriously.

There are countless studies documenting the devastating effects of adultery on spouses and children alike. Consider a few sobering statistics:

• Approximately 70 percent of betrayed spouses experience lasting damage to their self-esteem, and 30–60 percent experience clinically significant symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress.
• Around 60–70 percent of those who commit adultery report experiencing intense guilt, regret, and significant cognitive dissonance regarding their behavior.
• Approximately 80 percent of children who experience a parent’s infidelity develop a permanently altered view of romantic relationships and struggle to trust others. Nearly 88 percent report long-term anger toward the unfaithful parent.
• Roughly 43–53 percent of marriages affected by infidelity ultimately end in divorce.

These staggering statistics reinforce what God has already told us: adultery is destructive for everyone involved.

Marriage was God’s idea, and He intended it to be a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:6). Throughout Scripture, we are repeatedly called to honor and protect that covenant. The writer of Hebrews says:

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”

The call to holiness is unmistakable. So, how do we obey this command?

Pastor John Piper addressed this question in a sermon on this passage, explaining that one of the primary ways we guard ourselves against temptation is by strengthening our faith:

“Now we have seen that sin is whatever is not from faith. Sin is what you feel and think and do when you are not taking God at his word and resting in his promises. So the command of Hebrews 13:4 can be stated like this: Let your sexual relations be free from any act or attitude that does not come from faith in God’s Word. Or to put it positively: Have those attitudes and do those acts in your marital sexual relations which grow out of the contentment that comes from confidence in God’s promises.”

Piper goes on to discuss the natural desires of the human body, making the point that faith doesn’t eliminate our hunger, but it keeps us from gluttony. It doesn’t remove our need for sleep, but it keeps us from becoming sluggards. In the same way, faith doesn’t eliminate sexual desire—it directs and governs it according to God’s design.

While the statistics and Scriptural warnings reveal the devastating consequences of adultery, they should never overshadow the beauty of a God-honoring marriage. As we strengthen our faith and walk in obedience to God’s commands, we discover that intimacy with our spouse is one of God’s good gifts—a source of joy and a powerful safeguard against the temptations of Satan.

God’s plan has always been, and always will be, the best plan.

College football has grown tremendously nationwide in recent years. With playoff expansion, “super conferences,” and multibillion-dollar TV deals, it has become much more than the traditional amateur competition it once was.

One thing that is hard to appreciate as a fan is watching top high school players “commit” to a school… then decommit… then recommit… then decommit again and choose a completely different school. I can’t pretend to know what it’s like to be a top-tier athlete choosing between major universities, especially now that thousands—or even millions—of dollars could be at stake because of NIL opportunities.

However, I do get tired of the lack of commitment. If you aren’t ready to choose a school, no problem—but don’t announce a commitment just for the clicks, only to flip to another school the night before signing your National Letter of Intent!

Commitment means “a promise or firm decision to do something.” It may not be the best term to use for college athletes selecting a school, but when it comes to marriage, it is exactly the right word.

God designed marriage to be a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:6). I have many 18- to 22-year-olds who work for me, and several of them are in the season of deciding whether it’s time to “pop the question.” I always offer two pieces of advice:

1. Don’t ask the question unless you’re confident you know what the answer will be.
2. It’s like Scott Hall used to describe the NWO: “For life.”

Most of them don’t get the NWO reference, but if you do, then we can be friends.

My point is that marriage is a lifelong covenant—a sacred one—and it should never be entered into lightly.

This week, we’ve studied God’s commandment, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). As we’ve looked at what makes marriages strong and helps guard against temptations of every kind, one key characteristic continues to surface: active commitment from both spouses.

Active commitment has been described as “the daily, intentional practice of choosing your partner above your own immediate needs.” Paul echoes this principle in Ephesians as he describes the sacrificial relationship between husbands and wives (Ephesians 5:22–33). Choosing each day to place your spouse’s needs above your own is a powerful way to deepen your relationship and strengthen your marriage.

The expectation is clear. We are called to follow the example of Jesus by sacrificing our own desires for the good of our spouse and the health of the relationship. That’s what active commitment looks like—it is a choice we make every single day.

There are no “off days” in a marriage. Our best effort is required each day. We are human and therefore imperfect, but when both husband and wife embrace a lifestyle of sacrificial love and mutual commitment, the result is a marriage that honors both the Lord and one another.

My meeting Deanna was somewhat coincidental. We had worked together at a Super Target for a few years, but because we attended different high schools and worked in different departments, we didn’t spend much time together. I remember seeing her one day, and a friend said, “She’s cute, huh?” to which I replied, “Yes, she is.”

The Target where we worked was a popular viewing spot for the City of Woodstock’s annual fireworks show, which always made for a very busy evening. One year, I was scheduled to work the late shift. Usually, once the fireworks began around 9:00 p.m., the crowds would clear out and the rest of the evening would be smooth sailing.

Except that year.

A pop-up shower delayed the fireworks by nearly 45 minutes. The late start meant traffic lingered much longer than usual, and when I clocked out at 10:00 p.m., the parking lot was… well, a parking lot. No cars could get in or out.

I noticed Deanna standing outside, also wondering what to do about the traffic, so we struck up a conversation. The conversation lasted until traffic finally cleared. Then it continued at Taco Mac. When Taco Mac closed, it carried on at Waffle House. Now, 17 years into our marriage, the conversation is still going.

We’re like any other couple. We’ve experienced ups and downs and everything in between. One thing that hasn’t changed is that she is, without question, my very best friend. What began as an attraction grew into a friendship, and that friendship became a marriage.

This week, we’ve focused on the Lord’s commandment not to commit adultery, and I’ve tried to approach it from a positive perspective: building a marriage strong enough to withstand the temptation to look elsewhere.

One key component of lasting marriages is mutual respect. As I searched for practical examples of what respect looks like, I came across a list of reader-submitted advice for newlyweds. One of my favorite entries was this:

Five Rules for Marriage

1. Fight fair. No name-calling, no condescension, and no cursing. When emotions begin to take over, pause the argument and give yourselves time to cool down.
2. No Rolodex. Don’t file away past hurts and injustices in a mental Rolodex to use as ammunition in future arguments. Deal with the hurt now, while it can still be made right.
3. Choose compromises you can both live with. Whether the decision is big or small, make sure the outcome is something both of you can genuinely live with—because you’re both going to have to.
4. Create a safe place for vulnerability. Whether you’re sitting on the couch, lying in bed, or even soaking in the tub, find a place where you can communicate openly and honestly, even when the conversation is difficult or emotional.
5. Remember your future together. You’re going to live with this person tomorrow, next week, next year, and hopefully into retirement. Don’t let anger, indifference, or taking one another for granted rob you of the future you’re building together.

I don’t know who originally wrote those five rules, but I think they contain practical, relatable, and timeless wisdom. Choosing emotional intentionality and mutual respect—even during moments of conflict—strengthens a marriage. And a strong marriage helps keep our hearts focused on the path of purity and holiness the Lord has called us to walk.

Looking this week at the commandment, “You shall not commit adultery,” prompted a deeper dive into what long-lasting marriages typically have that helps prevent infidelity—of either the body or the heart—from ever beginning to creep in.

First, for the believer, marriage is a lifelong union between two people (Genesis 2:24) and is intended to be a permanent relationship (Matthew 19:6). It requires sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:22–33) and comes with stern warnings against defiling or dishonoring the marriage covenant (Hebrews 13:4). Relationships rooted in faith have a greater chance of enduring and thriving, with secular marriages experiencing a 30–50 percent higher rate of separation. Faith must come first.

After that, one common theme among strong and lasting marriages is a deep friendship between spouses. Deep friendship has been described as “an unconditional bond where you feel entirely seen, accepted, and safe.” I believe that level of trust can exist only between two people who intentionally make time to build a deep bond. It is built brick by brick through daily conversations, shared hobbies, and consistent check-ins.

I love family traditions, and we work hard to build them into our daily and weekly routines with our kids. We do pizza and a movie every Friday, have donut mornings on the weekends, and enjoy all sorts of little traditions together. For Deanna and me, when the kids are in school, we have a built-in weekday off together, so we go out for lunch and then grab an afternoon coffee before picking the kids up from the bus.

Coffee is a powerful currency in our house. We often share an afternoon iced coffee together and occasionally split a pastry. It’s a moment to decompress between work and the rest of the day’s responsibilities—getting the kids to the ballfield, band room, or basketball court while also making sure dinner and homework get done.

It isn’t about the coffee; it’s about the intentional conversation that happens because of it. Our friendship grows stronger every time we spend time talking with purpose. Those moments become opportunities for reflection, planning, encouragement, and simply enjoying one another’s company.

We also make it a point to have a date night at least once a month. We often try to catch a concert or a comedy show and make an evening of it, especially if we’ve already arranged for a babysitter. One thing that always amazes me is that whenever we get away from the house, the responsibilities of parenting, and the pressures of everyday life, I’m reminded why we liked each other in the first place. I often turn to Deanna and say, “This is so much fun. I remember why we enjoy doing this together.”

Whether we’re drinking an afternoon coffee, going to a Braves game, or seeing Metallica live, we genuinely have fun together, and every one of those moments strengthens our friendship. The bond built through laughter, joy, and shared experiences is often what carries us through the hardships, trials, and disappointments that inevitably come.

Your intentionality with your spouse matters, and it is one of the greatest safeguards against marital tension. Have the coffee. Go on the date. Share the smile.

“Lee… Hey, Lee.”

I woke up. It was roughly three in the morning. Delirious, I looked at Deanna and asked what was wrong. She had woken me from a dead sleep, and at the time she was several months pregnant, prompting a little concern on my end.

“I just had a dream… that you were cheating on me,” she said.

Puzzled and still very delirious, I replied, “Uh… okay… are you alright?”

She said how real the dream had felt and that she needed me to tell her I wasn’t, in fact, cheating on her. I was baffled but simply said, “Deanna, I haven’t and won’t ever cheat on you.” She said, “Okay,” and I hugged her, and we went back to sleep.

When morning came, we both shared a laugh about the absurdity of that overnight conversation, feeling it had been brought about by exhaustion and perhaps even made worse by hormonal fluctuations. Yet, that was more than ten years ago, and she still remembers how the dream made her feel.

The severity of infidelity is such that even a dream can prompt a series of painful thoughts and unbearable emotions. In our series on the Commandments, we visited God’s Word on the subject, and He is anything but ambiguous.

After commanding the Israelites not to commit adultery, God also established the penalty for violating that command in Leviticus 20 and Deuteronomy 22—execution. In Deuteronomy, adultery is included in a series of capital offenses accompanied by the phrase, “So you shall purge the evil from Israel.”

Jesus teaches that adultery doesn’t have to involve physical contact. It can begin as simply as looking at another person with “lustful intent” (Matthew 5:28). He also identifies sexual immorality as the only biblical ground for divorce (Matthew 19:9).

The point is simple: adultery is incredibly serious. Approximately 15–20 percent of marriages in the U.S. experience infidelity at some point, and unless serious and immediate action is taken, it often destroys the relationship. I had two friends experience this during high school when their parents were unfaithful, and even as a teenager, the effects were impossible to miss.

As Jesus warns, adultery isn’t limited to physical touch; it can begin with a single lingering glance. That’s why it’s up to us to strengthen our marriages, guard our hearts, and build relationships on a strong foundation of faith. So, how do we do that?

Plenty of statistical research exists on this, but successful long-term marriages typically share three common characteristics: deep friendship, mutual respect, and active commitment. I read that as saying one thing: it takes hard work!

Nothing worth pursuing in life comes without challenges along the way, but the reward far outweighs the cost. Marriages that last more than ten years—often considered long-term—are associated with greater life satisfaction, less conflict, and a stronger sense of self-worth, according to one study. The physical, emotional, and psychological benefits are undeniable.

Let’s work today to keep those painful thoughts and feelings confined to weary dreams and far away from reality.

Last week, I was enamored with the Artemis II mission. Four astronauts went deeper into space than any humans have gone in decades, flying by the moon for the first time in five decades. The marvel of human ingenuity, intellectual capacity, and determination was on full display.

The vastness, complexity, and beauty of space serve as a powerful reflection of God’s creation. As David says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1).

The moon is just under 239,000 miles away from Earth. As the crew encircled the lunar surface to establish orbit and begin their trajectory back home, there was a period of nearly 40 minutes when all communication with Earth was lost. No one could hear them at that point, not even NASA.

We watched this part of their journey unfold on the live NASA feed, as it was an anticipated portion of the mission. Before the radio silence, the pilot of Artemis II, Victor Glover, delivered a message to Earth. After referring to our planet as a “blue oasis in the vastness of space,” he shared these words before the silence:

“As we get close to the nearest point of the moon and the farthest point from the Earth, as we continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, I would like to remind you of one of the most important mysteries there on Earth, and that’s love. Christ said, in response to what is the greatest command, that it is to love God with all that you are… and He also, being a great teacher, said that there is something equal to it, and that is to love others as yourself. And so, as we prepare to go out of radio communication, we are still going to feel all of your love from Earth.”

On a mission that carried people into one of the deepest parts of space humans have explored, across national television networks and live feeds around the world, the message of Christ and His love was being proclaimed. How amazing is that?

We should all take heart in the fact that, in a space capsule over 200,000 miles into the vastness of space, the prevailing thought on board was a reflection of our need for Jesus. In Luke this week, we studied the details and rules surrounding the Sabbath, and why there are guidelines for work and a need for rest.

Jesus calmly and directly proclaims, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (Luke 6:5). Whether we are at work, on vacation, or floating along the edges of the cosmos, He is our portion. He is what we need. There is no distance you can travel on Earth or in the heavens where you will not find Him.

So today, marvel at the creation and rest in the truth that Jesus is Lord over all of it.

This week in Luke 6, we studied how Jesus and the disciples were accused of “work” on the Sabbath, which was not allowed because the Sabbath was meant for rest.

The two cited examples are a simple act of eating grain kernels and a miracle healing, both of which seem noble and good. So, what exactly is work? What exactly is rest? Why did the Pharisees get so bent out of shape?

The average American works between 90,000 and 100,000 hours in their lifetime. That is roughly 10 to 13 years’ worth of work. If we are going to spend that much time working, it would benefit us to find work we enjoy doing.

I met with a young leader, whom I greatly respect and admire, and we discussed her potential next career move. She eventually said she just wanted to find a job where she could “help others.” That sentiment reflects a deep calling on each of our souls as godly creations. In fact, Paul says work is one of the ways we are provided for in order to serve others (Ephesians 4:28). This is surely work worth doing.

The first human to work is described in Genesis 2:15, when God places Adam in the Garden of Eden and tells him to “work it and keep it.” It is noteworthy that work existed before sin entered the world. You see, work is not the 9-to-5, 40-hour-a-week construct that modern society has made it. God created work, and He intended it for good, meaningful purposes.

Adam was not tending the garden to pay a mortgage or put food on the table. He was cultivating God’s perfect creation and working for the purpose of honoring the Creator. We were made for this kind of work.

We were also created for rest. Yes, you need roughly seven to nine hours of sleep each night to function well (early-season West Coast trips for the Braves can make this difficult), but we also need defined periods of non-work. Studies suggest that, in addition to good nightly rest, we need roughly 15 to 21 days of vacation per year, along with weekly periods of intentional relaxation for our brains to decompress.

Some suggest breaking up time off into a series of long weekends and taking daily “unplugged” time away from screens and technology. Others recommend longer vacations, noting that peak psychological happiness often occurs around the eighth day of a vacation, according to one study. Either way, rest is important.

God Himself is the first worker we encounter in the Bible, as the opening of Genesis describes His work of creation (Genesis 1). He is also the first to rest, as He rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:1) at the conclusion of creation. If God works and rests, and we are made in His image, it is clearly important for us to find a balance between the two.

Through this lens, it becomes clear that when Jesus was accused of “working” on the Sabbath by the pontifical Pharisees, they had completely missed the point. Feeding your friends and helping others is not the kind of work we should abstain from, even on the Sabbath.

So by all means, take your Sabbath and rest. Book a long vacation, and spend time away from screens and technology to decompress. We need rest, but we are also meant to work. In fact, Paul says that whatever we do, we should do it to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Holding both in balance, modeled after the example Jesus set for us, will always be our best guide for how to live.

In order for the human body to function and grow properly, it must consume six essential nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. I am not sure about you, but for me, coffee is rather essential as well.

There are a variety of things these nutrients provide. Carbohydrates are a key source of energy, proteins help with muscle repair, and fats are for energy storage. Coffee, of course, is for sanity. Our bodies are incredible creations, finely tuned to support our daily function and needs, as long as we receive the right nutrients along the way.

So, when the disciples were hungry, Jesus simply allowed them to eat. In Luke, it is recorded that they “plucked and ate some of the heads of grain” as they were walking through grainfields (Luke 6:1). When challenged for condoning this “work” on the Sabbath, Jesus reminded the Pharisees of David, who once ate the “bread of the Presence” in the temple while running for his life from King Saul.

The story, recorded in 1 Samuel 21, details how David was fleeing from Saul and sought refuge in the temple. Hungry, he claimed to be on a secret mission at the king’s behest and asked the priest to provide bread for him. The only bread available, the bread of the Presence, was consecrated and forbidden by Levitical law to be eaten by anyone except the priests (Leviticus 24:9).

At David’s request, the priest Ahimelech willingly provided him with the bread. Before he left, David noticed the king’s men in the town and asked if there was a weapon available to protect himself. In what is my favorite part of this story, the priest simply said, “The only weapon we have is the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed” (1 Samuel 21:9).

David was hungry, so he was fed. David needed protection, so the Lord provided—in a serendipitous way. The rule was that the bread of the Presence was for the priests, yet this rule was set aside to care for God’s chosen. And the sword, which was only available because of David’s obedient courage when he slew Goliath, became his means of protection.

This story would have been very familiar to the Pharisees, which is why Jesus was quick to remind them of it. They did not truly care that the disciples were eating grain; they cared that Jesus challenged their rules and their way of living, and they wanted Him gone. This was simply another instance of their eagerness to remove Him from their midst.

We very much live in a world filled with people who want to remove Jesus from their midst as well. We see it in conflicts, wars, political gridlock, and even in the smaller, personal heartbreaks that ripple through our days.

In spite of whatever challenges you may face today, it is important to remember that, as believers, God will provide for us just as He did for David. Our true nourishment, our bread, our sword—it is Jesus.

If you spend time in Scripture, you will no doubt find plenty of instruction and guidance for holy living. We are not often eager for correction, but the Bible abounds with examples of God’s people being corrected and reoriented onto the right course.

By the time Jesus arrived on earth, it was not to reaffirm all the ways the Jewish people had gotten God’s Word right, but rather to course-correct and adjust their focus. In this week’s reading, we see Him healing on the Sabbath to the direct scorn of His Pharisaic observers.

The Pharisees, as we learn, had so ritualized their faith that they had lost sight of what truly mattered. It was more important to them that the people under their care follow their rules and ordinances because, in their eyes, that was the holy way to live.

When referring to this “heavy labor of legalism,” Pastor Charles Spurgeon said, “The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation.”

The real danger, in other words, is the line of thinking that some part of salvation can come from within. Jesus said, “For I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). We cannot save ourselves; we must rely on and trust in Jesus.

In the passage from Luke this week, we see the disciples eating grain kernels and Jesus performing a healing miracle, both on the Sabbath. These are acts of mercy provided by God to His people—one in the form of sustenance and the other in the form of restoration.

The outrage that followed from the Pharisees was legal in nature, but what Jesus said in response was simple: “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” In other words, He was saying, “I am in charge, not you, and I choose mercy over your ritualistic rules.”

The need for supplementary processes and procedures had so blinded the religious leaders that they lost sight of God’s heart altogether. Everything He had given them up to that point flowed from His merciful love for His people, yet they did not understand.

We were encouraged on Sunday to “let our understanding slow our criticism.” This understanding of God’s mercy was lost on the Pharisees, but let it not be lost on us. God will always provide for His people—even on the Sabbath.

When Jesus allowed His disciples to eat grain and when He performed a healing miracle on the Sabbath, Luke records that the Pharisees were “filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus” (Luke 6:11).

They were furious over the fact that Jesus, whom they already disliked, was breaking their rules. Over centuries, God had delivered His commands and laws to the Jewish people through the words and writings of prophets, providing instruction and correction to guide His people toward a holy way of living.

The Pharisees were a group of religious zealots who had taken that law and added hundreds of additional requirements to prevent even an accidental violation. These included oral traditions, rituals, and rules concerning handwashing, dietary restrictions, tithing, strict Sabbath observance, and more.

When Jesus arrived and did not affirm the rules they had created, it infuriated them. Filled with self-righteous arrogance, they made the grave mistake of thinking they had the authority to add to God’s law. They had become overly legalistic, missing the point of God’s instructions entirely.

This reminds me of moments in parenting. My 10-year-old was blessed with the ability to incite utter and unconscionable insanity from his parents. For example, he has a knack for starting a fight with his little brother in the back seat, prompting a comment like, “All right, not another sound back there!” from his dad.

Then, after a brief period of silence, I glance in the rearview mirror and notice his face turning red, almost purple. With concern, I look back at him, and he says with a strained grunt, “You said not a sound, so I wasn’t breathing.”

The exasperation I feel in those moments, because of his overly literal—and arguably antagonistic—interpretation of my instructions, is something any parent can understand. I can only imagine how Jesus felt at the suggestion that He was not properly observing Sabbath regulations.

When I give instructions to my kids, it comes from a place of love. It doesn’t make sense to create an endless list of rules to address every minor infraction throughout the day. Instead, it makes more sense to help them understand what acceptable behavior looks like and to use discernment to make wise decisions.

The Pharisaic additions to the law ultimately reflect a lack of trust. They did not believe the law, as given, was sufficient. Their misinterpretation, even if well-intended, became the foundation of a sinful disdain that ultimately led to Jesus being put on the cross.

So today, remember that His Word is sufficient for us. We don’t need to be legalistic, overly literal, or add to the instruction He has given. We simply need to trust Jesus.