Dub Mowery
The expression “live-in” and the more crude term “shackin’ up” depict an unnatural relationship between a man and a woman. The movie industry (often referred to simply, Hollywood) has had a tremendous influence upon society, especially upon men and women. This is done by glorifying unmarried couples living together intimately. There were not near as many of these live-in situations over 40 years ago because society, at that time, possessed a higher standard of morality. Such behavior in the distant contributed to the destruction of previous civilizations.
The term, “shackin’ up” has been around for a long time. It implies that two people rushed into a relationship before making proper preparation. They were willing to live in a run-down shack and not bother with a marriage ceremony. In today’s society few such unholy arrangements begin in a dilapidated shack. Nevertheless, it is still repulsive to decent people and violates the will of God. The inspired writer of the book of Hebrews declared, “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4).
A numbers of questions are in order concerning this matter. Is this a convenient situation to take liberties of the opposite sex that will dropped when one or both persons involved tire of this ill arrangement? And what is effect will be brought upon any children that are brought into this world by such a union? Will the child be branded as a bastard for the rest of his life? What about a family name for these children? Will the unmarried man and woman have genuine love and consideration for a child of their illegitimate relation? Does a man display love for the woman he is “shackin’ up” with or mere physical attraction? How could he love her by such a relationship in which she will be stigmatized in a bad light? The apostle Paul stressed, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). Not only does such behavior have the appearance of evil, but it is evil.
