“Gina, you’re not thinking about getting involved with him, are you?” I asked. “He’s married.”

“He said that he and his wife are separated, and it’s only a matter of time before they get a divorce.” I stabbed my salad with my fork and said, “He told you that?” Color rose in her cheeks, and she said defensively, “His wife is a real shrew. All she cares about is his paycheck.”

Gina was young, single, and naive, and I didn’t want to see this sweet friend wind up in a messy situation. Knowing she had grown up in a Christian home, I said: “God gives us rules and boundaries to protect us. Don’t allow this temptation to ruin your life. You could wind up really regretting it, and I don’t want to see you hurt.”

As part of the fallen human race, we all face temptation, and the enemy will hit each one of us in the area in which we are most vulnerable. When we work outside the home, for example, we need to be vigilant. In some cases we may spend more time with our coworkers than we do with our spouse, family, and friends. It can seem natural to bond with someone who understands our work situation, but we must be careful not to form an emotional attachment that’s off-limits.

First Peter 1:14–15 says, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct.”