By: Juliet Constantine

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)

On my way to work one day, I read, in a fleeting glance and with great astonishment, the words: “Rent a Wife” on the front page of a local newspaper. I did not stop to purchase the paper but found myself wondering what on earth that was. I am familiar with the wife swap TV show that I scornfully hate. But rent a wife? Has the value of women fallen so low, and are we still seen as property so that we can be put up for rental – like a used car? Let me hasten to add, there is ‘rent a husband’ as well.

My curiosity got the better of me, so I went to the internet to see what such practices consist of. Some sites that offer such a service flatly deny that the services of a rental wife involve sex; but others blatantly state that it does. I am reminded that many so-called massage parlors operate under a similar disguise to aid prostitution.

But, continuing on the rent a wife website: I learned that a wife can be rented for the basic cost of $40/day to £100/month; they even come in packages from a basic wife, a full wife, to a trophy wife. She is required to perform all the functions of a true wife, although some sites said they are only used for chores. Whatever excuse is given for this sinful practice in the 21st century, it is contrary to God’s design and is being used as a disguise to fulfill temporary pleasures with lasting consequences.

Jesus taught that if you look lustily on the opposite gender, you have already committed adultery in the heart – a very private act known only by you. He also taught that we should not covet our neighbors’ spouse. Lusting and coveting go together and will eventually be revealed in public action. What’s happening now is a total disregard for God’s commands. For the love of money, pleasure, or whatever the want (not need): many by their actions are causing such great confusion on this earth. It doesn’t matter what it’s called: whether wife swapping or rent a wife, etc. it is spelled the same way-- SIN. We are wisely counseled to have our own spouse. Sinful actions only give temporary pleasures resulting in eternal implications.

I call on you, my sisters, to place value on yourselves-- even if your husbands do not. Do not allow yourself to be traded like goods. If the man cannot afford a wife in the first place, do not marry him. Do not be coerced into sexual action that is outside of your marriage.

I call on you my brothers to treat women with the love, respect, and dignity that you would want to be treated, that is acceptable before God. Keep your wives in your home to yourselves. God did not intend for her to be swapped or rented.

I call on you all to uphold the oldest institution on Earth as God intended. Do not trade this precious gift for temporary pleasures that have lasting consequences. Remember, you are bought with a price – the priceless blood of Jesus Christ.

Oh my Father, the effects of sin can be seen everywhere. The marriage institution is bombarded with challenges on every side. I pray, righteous Father, that You will rescue those marriages that are in trouble. Restore love, honor, and respect in each home I pray, in Jesus’ name amen.

Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)