I felt led to read Malichi and to share it with my family. In it the words gaurd yourself in your spirit jumps out. He is speaking the priests, this would probably include husbands in the church. He speaks it in reference to a sin that has caused God to turn his back on their prayers. The sin was divorce, casting away the wife of ones youth for whatever reason they could make up. They had no considertion for the wife they once love and were casting them off like refuse, then coming to God with tears later on for some need. He says to them, 'GAURD YOURSELVES IN YOUR SPIRIT' and do not BREAK FAITH with the wife of your youth.
 
God says to them, "I hate divorce". , and I hate a man's covering himself in violance as well as with his garment. Divorce is a garment of violance to God, he sees what we ignore. God says, 'GAURD YOURSELF IN YOUR SPIRIT AND DO NOT BREAK FAITH'.
 
This is where the battle lies, in the spirit, in the heart, in the imagination, the fantasy life of the spouse. God says to gaurd your spirit, I speak to myself also. Watch your thought life, do not let it get out of control. Do not let it ruin the relationship of the wife of your youth. Do not let it ruin your relationship with God. Your relationship with your spouse is so important that it will prevent you for having a relationship with God if your relationship with your spouse is not right.
 
An undisciplined thought life is a like an undisciplined child. It takes time, energy, consistancy and determination to discipline the mind. I see that it is a necessary struggle if one has a desire for a closer relationship with God.
 
God bless
frank