Hedges: Loving Your Marriage Enough to Protect It (Book Review)

I have another book recommendation for married or engaged couples: Hedges: Loving Your Marriage Enough to Protect It.  I learned about this book from a blog post and decided to check it out.

The author emphasizes the importance of staying far away from sexual temptation as commanded in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:22, etc.).  One of the best ways for married people to do this is through hedges: habits and behaviors designed to protect one’s marriage and keep temptation at a safe distance.

The first six chapters are more foundational in nature.  Jenkins discusses the damage caused by adultery and the reasons we should do everything in our power to prevent it.  The next seven chapters (6-13) are each devoted to a particular hedge the author has put in place to protect his own marriage.  Chapter fourteen contains two success stories, and the final section of the book is a fairly extensive study guide.

I found this book very helpful.  I greatly appreciate the way Jenkins presents his own hedges without coming across as legalistic or heavy-handed.  You can click here to order it (Amazon.com).

Note for Pastors:  This would be an excellent resource for counseling with couples (engaged or married).