Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.

— James 4:8

For a relationship to grow, time must be invested and spent in conversation, in interaction, and in person.  I cannot ask Jesus into my heart and then go on with my life expecting God to take care of it.  I must take time to learn about him and his Word.  I must spend time in prayer, talking to him.  I must sit quietly to meditate on him and listen for his voice (not necessarily audibly, but through his Spirit).

Feet of Peace – Warriors often wore sandals with small nails, similar to spikes, for stability in fighting.  Our stability and peace comes from the knowledge that Jesus overcame death in order for us to have life.  That knowledge should encourage us to take measures in order to protect ourselves from situations that would jeopardize our relationship with the Lord.

• Protect your spirit by praying; alone and with your partner
• Protect your mind and thoughts with (images of) things of God, not of the world or lustful desires
• Protect yourselves by not spending time alone in situations that can lead to fulfilling your physical desires

You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.  So you must honor God with your body.

— 1 Corinthians 6:20

Joseph chose to avoid being in the presence of Potiphar’s wife knowing that she was pressuring him for sex.  When Joseph was finally caught alone and confronted by her, he ran.  There is no honor lost for running away from a temptation that is wrong in God’s eyes. 

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

— 2 Timothy 2:22

Shield of Faith – The shield in warfare was used to protect a warrior from arrows and swords.  At times, a number of warriors would stand together overlapping their shields in order to provide protection for the entire group.  Sometimes I act as if I can stand alone against the enemy, thinking that I can “do all things through me” instead of “through Christ.”  I cannot protect myself in a spiritual battle, which is what physical temptation outside of marriage is.  I must have a strong faith in God, and I must have someone to be accountable to.

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

— Ecclesiastes 4:12

At one time David and Jonathan were inseparable.  They stood by each other’s side to battle physical enemies and spiritual enemies.  When Jonathan died, David lost his closest friend and the one person to whom he was accountable.  Things may have been different for David with Bathsheba had Jonathan been alive.