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Friday, February 8, 2008

Leaving and Cleaving



Ephesians 5:31

The first female mentioned in the Bible was created without a childhood or an example to define her role and her relationship to her husband. The first female was full-grown woman, fashioned while Adam was asleep. She was God's gift to him. I believe it would be better if we still allowed God to bring us what He has for us.

When God wanted to be praised, He created man in His own likeness or image. Likewise, God gave man someone like himself. Adam called her "womb-man" or woman. Like the Church of Christ, Eve was his body and his bride. They were made of the same material. Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" (Genesis 2:23). He says nothing of her size or body build or hair color. These superficial components are like placing a product in an attractive container. The packaging may get the consumer to try the product, but only the product itself will keep the consumer coming back for more.

When you find a person with whom you are compatible, there is a bonding that consummates marriage and it has nothing to do with sex. Let's face it, everyone you meet isn't bone of your bones. It is important that you do not allow anyone to manipulate you into choosing someone with whom you have on bond. Every woman must pray and discern if this man is the one she could cleave to for the rest of her life.

The Bible says, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined [cleave] to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh" (Ephesians 5:31). The term cleave is translated from a Hebrew word that means "to cling or adhere to; to catch by pursuit or follow close after." There is a great need in most of our lives to cleave, to feel that this is where we belong. It is sad to realize that our society has become so promiscuous that many have mistaken the thrill of a weekend fling for the knitting together of two thirsty hearts at the oasis of a loving commitment.

The secret to cleaving is leaving. If you enter into marriage and still leave other options open, whether mental, emotional, or physical, your marriage will never work. When the tugging of adversity tries the bonds of your matrimony, you will fall apart. You must leave everyone else and cleave to your husband. It is unhealthy to cleave to someone other than your spouse for support. No other friendship, however wholesome, should have more infuence over you than your spouse. Some of you could save your marriages if you would leave some of these extramarital ties and cleave to your companion!

T.D. Jakes