One of the greatest evangelists in the Bible may be the unnamed “Woman at the Well.” In the fourth chapter of John, Jesus had a conversation with a Samaritan woman—a remarkable moment, because “Jews do not associate with Samaritans” John 4:9. Jesus was nice to her, they talked quite a bit, and she left and told everyone about Him.
“Many of the Samaritans from that town believed because of what the woman said” John 4:39.
Do you remember what she said?
She said, “Come see a Man who told me everything I ever did!” v.29. But exactly what did Jesus tell her that led not only to her salvation but the salvation of her townspeople? He talked about her marriages.
“You have correctly said, ‘I do not have a husband.’ For you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true” v.18
Evangelism—soul winning—often begins by talking about the law that has been broken. Most do not recognize their need for a Savior until they recognize their sin.
But I would like to address something more specific. The Samaritan woman was living with a man. “The man you now have is not your husband” v.18.
We hear the phrase “living together” tossed about as though it were a normal and appropriate option. Some argue moving in together before marriage will increase the odds of a successful marriage later on. I disagree. But who cares what I believe?
The question believers should be asking is not what do the ladies on morning talk shows say, or what does the article in COSMOPOLITAN say, or what does Dr. Phil or Dr. Oz or Dr. Laura say, or even what does Pope Francis say.
The question believers should be asking is: “What does Jesus say about living together?”
The Bible speaks consistently on this subject: sex outside marriage is always wrong, whether outside in time (before the wedding) or outside in person (adultery). Jesus agrees. And while many might be tempted to call the woman’s live-in boyfriend her “partner” or “significant other,” or even her “common law husband,” Jesus does not. Christians might even mistakenly argue the man is her husband in the eyes of God anyway because “sex has made the two people one flesh” according to Genesis 2:24.[1] Jesus does not say that either–not about her current man or the five she appears to have divorced. Instead, he states flatly:
“The man you now have is NOT your husband. What you have said is true” John 4:18.
Living together before marriage is NOT marriage in God’s eyes. And it is not God’s plan for your life or relationship. Marriage is a COVENANT, not a COUPLING.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 
Excellent. Clearly said.
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