Marriage is a solemn covenant; a vow or promise to remain faithful to one’s spouse until that union is separated by death. Challenges will arise that threaten every marriage. Consider the simple steps that can be taken to help every husband and wife honor their marriage vows.

With Faithful Eyes. The patriarch of old proclaimed, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?” (Job 31:1). Potiphar’s wife plotted her unfaithfulness when she “cast longing eyes on Joseph” (Gen. 39:7).

With Faithful Lips. Save the compliments and pillow talk for your spouse. The virtuous wife of Proverbs 31 received praise from her husband, “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all” (v. 29).

With Faithful Hands. Paul spoke of the sin of fornication in this manner: “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:1-2). Adults would do well to remember the simple charge given to children, “Keep your hands to yourself!”

With Faithful Feet. Solomon warned against the sin of adultery: “Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared? So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; whoever touches her shall not be innocent” (Prov. 6:28-29). He also observed a fool walking to the home of a harlot as an animal goes to the slaughter (7:6-27).

With a Faithful Heart. We must protect our heart (Prov. 4:23). As with all other sins, adultery begins in the heart. “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28).