Mike Pence and the “Billy Graham Rule”

Last week Vice President Mike Pence created quite a stir when someone quoted from an article written several years ago about him.

The article described how Pence followed the “Billy Graham Rule,” a rule the evangelist established for himself about his interaction with women. Billy Graham, in a strong attempt at integrity in relationships, famously would not eat alone with a member of the opposite sex.

The article stated that Pence had made the same rule for himself. Mike and Karen Pence have a strong marriage, and they want to keep it that way. Therefore, Mike Pence follows the Billy Graham Rule and actually adds to it. If he is scheduled to be at a place where alcohol is served, he will not attend without his wife.

It’s his attempt to protect his marriage.

The protests have been loud. Social media has debated the Billy Graham Rule. Many women have called it sexist.

Those who protest describe how this puts women in government and business at a disadvantage because they are left out of social occasions that might advance their careers.

I think we can all see the difficulty of this. At the same time, we had better do something to protect the sanctity of our marriages and protect us from infidelity.

All you have to do is look at the State of Alabama. This very week the governor resigned and pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors relating  to finances. Impeachment proceedings began this week relating to misuse of state finances and using public employees to cover up the long, ongoing affair he had with a female staffer.

All of this has thrown the whole state into turmoil and mourning.

As I read about Mike Pence and the events in Alabama, I couldn’t help but think, “Don’t the people of Alabama wish their governor followed the “Billy Graham Rule?” I’ve been following the heartache in Alabama for almost two years. Two families have been severely harmed and a whole state has been affected.

I have very strict guidelines for myself. I don’t know if you should follow the Billy Graham Rule, but I know this, “You’d better have something in place to help you through the temptations of life.”

You have an enemy, and he wants to destroy you, your marriage, and your witness.

I encourage you to think seriously and to seek God about the barriers you should put in your life to protect yourself and your witness.

Each day I write about life and Scripture. You can receive all of my free daily devotionals in your inbox each morning by subscribing in the box below.


 

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4 Responses

  1. These are two very wise men. We all need to be aware of our weaknesses; provide the proper barriers and pray for protection from our weaknesses because satan certainly knows them.

  2. One chapter in the book, Hedges: Loving Your Marriage Enough to Protect It, by Jerry Jenkins sums it up, “Two’s Company; Three’s Security”.
    Today’s culture would deem it over the edge.
    Women would also be wise to follow the “Billy Graham Rule.”
    Evil takes every opportunity to destroy marriages and families.
    We go to great lengths and costs to protect our homes, autos, jewelry, even our iPhones using locks, safes, insurance, alarms. How much more valuable are our spouses and families?
    Deceit tells us it’s foolish. BUT … VICTORY is SWEET!

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