CLOSENESS(Adapted)

(PART 1)
"He is just my friend and we talk a lot, gist and he knows my
intending spouse so we can always be friends". "She's my best
friend, in fact we get along easily than my wife".
This could sound good but be careful of what could happen in the
long run.
This is a very lengthy one as I'm writing this from the innermost
part of my heart knowing fully well that this topic is a major
problem even Christians face let alone unbelievers. Therefore,
please permit me to make it in parts so you can digest it well and
not fall victim.
While growing up, I realized I'm closer to the male folks than
females, making me have many male friends. I started loving their
kind of movies and even sports (football especially). This is also
due to the fact that I don't really put up with the drama girlfriends
come up with most times. I'm sure you know them.
I realized guys are easy going, flexible, easy to forgive and to
confide in and so on. But along the line, I realized it has its dangers
too, which can be more of a disadvantage than an advantage for
both married and single.
Getting too close to the opposite gender who is not your partner
poses a whole lot of danger than benefit. You can quote me!
What are the rules? What is appropriate? Is any relationship or
friendship with people of the opposite gender okay? When is
closeness becoming too much. There are a lot of questions that
needed to be answered about this because it's really an important
topic of discussion.
I have carefully written some practical rules that can guide you in
keeping your relationship with the opposite sex right for singles,
married and those in courtship.
Rule 1 – Avoid intimate relationship with people of the opposite
gender
First of all, close friendships with someone of the opposite gender
that isn’t your spouse or partner to be is not a wise decision. I
know you may be saying, “But, we’ve been friends forever, and
there’s nothing romantic there.”
The point is: it’s not worth the risk. I'm so sure of this because I
was once a victim, thank God for God who helped me and
crowned it with the best man on earth *winks*.
It’s not that you can never talk to a friend of the opposite gender,
but try keeping them at arms distance. Truthfully, no one should
know you better than your spouse, especially not a friend that
shares the same gender as your partner.
Sharing your heart with someone builds intimacy whether you
realize it or not, so it’s crucial to consider who you are building
that intimacy with lest it leads you to what you never bargained
for.