HOPE FOR THE HOME: Harmful habits hurt both marriage, family

Family: A teenage girl whose family is always in church shared with a friend who shared with another friend which eventually made its way to the pastor that she caught her father watching pornography in their home. She told her friend that her father and mother were having problems due to some outside influences, but this took her by complete surprise. Her father was a deacon, and her mother was on the praise team. It was at this point that things and relationships in her life began to change.

Jerry: Private sins always have public consequences whether it be a husband’s pornography habit, a wife’s affair, or a teenager’s sudden change in behavior impacts everyone in the family. What often begins as an out-of-character incident becomes a destructive, habitual occurrence. Two harmful and damaging habits which can dissolve both marriage and family are the use of alcohol and the addiction to pornography in its varied forms.

According to Alcohol Rehab Help, the use of alcohol is responsible for nearly 50% of all separations in marriage. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the third most common cause of divorce in the U.S. for women and eighth for men. Over 48% of people with AUD have been divorced at least once.

Becky: According to Focus on the Family, the number one addiction among men in the United States is Internet pornography and women are not far behind. 70% of women who are involved in Internet pornography keep their cyber activities secret. It is revealing to note that divorce rates double for married couples who start watching porn. It is also a fact that regular porn users feel lonelier, more insecure, and dissatisfied with their appearance. As a follow-up to that let me suggest that after the rice has been thrown and the honeymoon enjoyed, you keep as attractive for your spouse as possible. Outward appearance is indeed a significant part of marriage, but inner beauty far exceeds the outer impression. What brought you together in the beginning should sustain you to the end. Keep your eyes on each other and harmful habits will not destroy either your marriage or your family.

Dr. Drace and his wife Becky are on American Family Radio weekdays at 4:20 PM (CT) and on Sundays at 5:35 PM (CT). Check out their resources for the family at HopefortheHome.org. Becky’s latest book, “The Bright Side of Blue” and Dr. Drace’s, “44 Ways to Strengthen Your Marriage” offer biblical principles and timely advice for dealing with the challenges and trials of life. You may contact them at: hopeforthehome@juno.com.