Don't Allow Friends Of The Opposite Sex To Ruin Your Marriage

A couple reached out to my wife and me for advice concerning a dispute they are having over relationships with the opposite sex. They wanted to know what is our views on this subject. We sat with them and listened while taking notes and trying to analyze and assess the situation.

The wife has a close friend of the opposite sex, someone she has been friends with for years. The husband does not like the fact that this male friend is so close to his wife. Apparently, the male friend doesn't want to accept the fact that she is now a married woman. The wife probably did not express to him that their friendship would change after she got married. It is starting to cause arguments and now affecting their marriage. The wife is also blaming the husband for not trusting her. She also mentioned that he might be guilty of doing something wrong on his part why he is so against her friendship with this man she has known for a long time.

Close friends of the opposite sex can be a hindrance or might be the death of your marriage. It does not matter if you know them from kindergarten. Once you get married, it changes everything.

The husband was definitely not accusing his wife of any wrongdoing. However, he is sensitive to the relationship because he does not think it is appropriate for a married woman to have that kind of close relationship with the opposite sex. Let me also add that it is not appropriate for a married man either.

Most Affairs Started Out As Friendship

All marital affairs started out as friendship. No married person woke up one morning and decided I wanted to cheat on my spouse today. That is not how sexual relationships get started unless that man or woman has a history of sleeping around with random people. This is not the case with most people who start having an extramarital affair. People can become good friends and develop a close connection with each other. It has to be professional, and even so, boundaries must be set to protect your marriage and character. Most affairs that happen at work start with co-workers working on a project together, developing a friendship, going out to lunch, and talking to each other about important and personal issues in their life. At times we all need someone to talk to about problems going on in our lives, but it should be with someone who is accountable have good morals and values.

Someone Else Can Get Their Attention

Don't think your spouse is so in love with you that someone else won't get their attention.

Some of you think that it is impossible for a married person to find themselves being attracted to another person. This is why it is important how close your friendship is to the opposite sex.

There is a formula for love, and it is very simple. It is having a person of the opposite sex + time spent together + intimate sharing. These are the only three things needed for you to become seriously attracted to someone. It potentially can happen to anyone. It does not matter how strong you may think your marriage is.

You Must Leave and Cleave

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be[a] joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Genesis 2:24

To what, or to who is he then cleaving? He is leaving or detaching himself from his mother and father and cling to his wife. His new wife and family should be the number one priority in his life; his new family comes before his mama, dad, sisters, brothers, friends, church, and his ministry. He cleaves to his wife, who is now in his life, to complement him and help him meet his needs and accomplish his goals. The two shall become one; this is the process by which they are learning, growing, and building friendship and trust in each other. This stage of marriage is always the most difficult. Here is why in some marriages, the couple doesn't see the need to change their lifestyle from when they were single. Truth is, things are different now, but they are still acting single.

It Is Not Your Responsibility To Save Them

It is not your responsibility to save your friends of the opposite sex. In most cases, your friend doesn't respect your spouse if they are acting needy. They might be taking advantage of your kindness. Often, they are using you to fill a void in their life, and it can cost you your marriage. There is only one person you are responsible for, and that is your wife. I am not saying you can't have a friend of the opposite sex. You have to interact and deal with people based on your area of work. However, if you are not using precautionary measures with how you communicate and develop a friendship with the opposite sex, then you are not respecting your spouse, and it can cause a bigger problem.

What Is The Solution

1. For Those of you who plan to keep your close friends of the opposite sex, I would highly discourage it. Most people who end up cheating on their mate did not initially intend to cheat.

2. Have a rational plan about how you are going to interact with the opposite sex. Set boundaries at work, and don't let your casual conversation become flirtatious. Stop it the moment it starts. People are going to test to see your level of commitment to your marriage or relationship. The moment they see a crack in your character, they will exploit it to see how far you will go.

3. Don't share your marital problem with a close friend of the opposite sex. Find a counselor, marriage coach, or pastor. If you and your spouse had a serious argument, especially if you are hurting emotionally, be careful who you talk to about it. When you share a problem with a close friend of the opposite sex, especially if this happens regularly, it will create vulnerability, especially for the woman, and this is where attachment and intimacy begin.

4. Put God first in your marriage, which means you seek Him and ask Him to lead you and guide your path. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6

5. Don't think that it can never happen to you. The moments you think that you are already too comfortable with the friendship and one of you will eventually overstep your boundary.

6. Most people are not aware of what happens until it is too late. Guard your heart.

7. Remember the formula for how affairs get started. It is having a person of the opposite sex + time spent together + intimate sharing. It always starts with a close friendship.