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Today many couples are taking a relationship shortcut. Before getting married, half will live together before marriage. My purpose in this week’s devos is to show why living together before marriage is not a part of God’s design. We pray that you will use this information to make godly decisions and give godly counsel.

Let’s use Song of Solomon 2:5 to set the stage for our conversation.

Song of Solomon 2:5
Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love.

So far this week, we have considered reasons why couples choose to live together and some statistics proving that living together doesn’t provide a stable foundation for marriage. Yesterday I wrote about friendship (spirit love), the first part of the “Biblical Love Package.” Here’s the second of three essential parts:

COMMITMENT: Heart Love

The second part of the Biblical Love Package is characterized by the Hebrew word yahab. This word expresses the deep affection of the heart when describing a person who is “head over heels” in love. This is a love of commitment and covenant. This is a love that says, “I want to be with you forever! Let’s make a vow to God with a room full of witnesses that we will be together until death.” Yahab is a love of loyal dedication. Unfortunately, couples that live together are not ready or willing to make that commitment. A person unwilling to say wedding vows is a person unwilling to say, “I love you no matter what.”

Tomorrow we will consider the final part of the Biblical Love Package— Consummation: Physical Love.

Father, forgive us for exchanging your design for our desires. Help us follow your instructions for marriage. In Jesus’ name. Amen.