"The man of integrity walks securely,

but he who takes crooked paths will

be found out."--Proverbs 10:9

What do we learn from Governor Spitzer's fall? What can we learn from his misfortune  his sin? 

Lesson 1: It can happen to anyone. Anyone can be deceived into self-destructive thoughts and behavior. Spitzer was obviously deluded into thinking he was above judgment. Even the name of the prostitution ring he did business with appealed to his ego: "The Emperor's Club."  We can only pray that the emperor-governor discovered there is a king above all kings whose throne is in the heavenlies, and who will not be mocked.

Lesson 2: We learn once again how true the Bible is: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)

Lesson 3: When we see Spitzer's wife standing stoically beside him we see the gift of God that this man obviously took for granted, a gift he may have lost, a family that may have been irreparably damaged. The lesson? No man sins alone. There is no such thing as private sin. Everyone suffers the consequences.

Finally, Spitzer is a leader; unfortunately he is leading in the wrong direction. He is leading down instead of up to a higher standard, to a more virtuous life. 

We can only help the Spitzer family with our prayers, but we can be more purposed in our own hearts to be grateful for the gift God has given us in holy matrimony. We can cherish our spouse, value our marriage and love our families, not with words, but in deeds, or we will be like Spitzer -without excuse.

Question for The Both of Us: Do we have healthy barriers of protection around our marriage? Is there openness and honesty to discuss the ways we think the deceiver might try to destroy our marriage?

Prayer for The Both of Us: Lord, help us to never take our marriage for granted and to be watchful of the works of the evil one that what God has joined together no man, woman or devil will separate.