(Guest blogger Shyju Matthew provides us with the DWOD for Nov. 13, 2013–be blessed, everybody!)

Here is God’s key to success for Adam and Eve in their marital life: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

Other translations use these expressions: “leave and cleave”(KJV), “leave and be united” (NIV), and “leave and be joined” (NASB)

Interestingly, the same words are used when we are encouraged to pursue God: “Ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4 KJV)

Look at what Samuel says to Israel in I Samuel 7:3: “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve Him only, and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”

Consider also the apostle Paul’s prescription for overcoming temptation: “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

“Leaving” is perfected only when practised with “cleaving”. In other words, you cannot successfully leave something unless you are united with another. This, as a principle, can be used to find success in all areas of our lives.

The fact is that as social beings, we are created to cling to something. We are not made to be isolated. So the question is: What are you clinging to?

If you are not pursuing God actively, then you are already pursuing something that is not of God, knowingly or otherwise.

The key to overcoming temptations is not just to flee from attractions, but replacing it by pursuing the things of God.

The key to marriage is to give your undivided attention to your spouse.

The key to clinging to God is to totally let go of all other things we worship.

In 2010 an Emirates airliner bound to Kochi, India hit an air-pocket and dropped 200 feet in a matter of seconds. Thankfully the pilot was able to regain control with minor injuries to the passengers.

An air pocket is a downward air current that causes an aircraft to lose altitude abruptly. Every Christian has to be aware of these kinds of holes in one’s walk with God.

We all have different kinds of needs–for love, intimacy, encouragement, security, appreciation, etc. When these needs are not met through the channels that God’s Word wants it to be filled with, one creates a dangerous air pocket.

Many of us have fallen into these dangerous traps because these vacuums were not rightly filled.

If you have not taken active steps to cleave to your spouse in your marriage, then you are bound to look outside your marriage.

If you are passive about pursuing God, then it’s only a matter of time before you drift away from God.

If you are not actively pursuing righteous living, faithfulness, love, peace and the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts, then, my friend, you are bound to pursue youthful lusts.

Here are some practical steps you can take today:

a) Make a note of the things you need to “leave” to “cleave” to your destiny.

b) Take all steps to be disconnect from those things totally. 100%, without mercy!

c) Then, make note of the things you need to replace those negative habits with.

d) Take all steps to be passionately and actively pursuing those things which are good and from God.

Start now. Be consistent. And you will avert a dangerous vacuum from developing in your heart.

(Born in India and presently living in Montreal, Canada, Revivalist Shyju Matthew continues to demonstrate God’s mighty Word through the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in crusades and conferences all over the world. This post first appeared on his blog Guarding The Heart)