MARRIAGE

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh – Genesis 1:24

Marriage is an honourable Institution (Heb.13:4). Your attitude to Marriage goes a long way to determine how much fulfilment you’ll enjoy in this dimension of destiny. Marriage is primary among the institutions God ordained to establish His Purpose for humanity and pull down the kingdom of the devil. There is a spiritual dimension of marriage, which many people have lost sight of. For many, marriage has become a prey in Satan’s hands. From God’s perspective however, marriage is not just a legal contract that can be terminated anytime at the partners’ whims and caprices. It is not a form of convenience, which permits no inconvenience. Moreover, marriage on this side of eternity is not a perfect institution for perfect partners. The Bible is our Manual for Marriage; and there are some Nuggets of Wisdom that should define our Attitudes to Marriage:

1. The Man is the head over his wife: otherwise, a two-headed creature would be nothing but a “monster.” As the head, God expects the husband to be a godly leader in every area.
2. The Woman is a help meet: “And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Gen.2:18). She is the help that is suitable for or fits the man. The wife is not a slave. She is not a help meat that is consumed by beating each time the man gets; hungry with anger. She is also not a mere sex mate to quell the man’s libido. The “help meet” or “helper” complements the areas of the man’s weakness and shortcomings; submits to – never subverts – her husband’s God-given authority; and does him good all the days of her life (Pro.31:12).
3. Marriage is for a Man and a Woman, not a boy and a girl: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Gen.2:24). Men and ready and matured to marry. Whereas, a boy someone who is not yet ready to “leave” and “cleave” or “be joined to his wife”; one who cannot make sound decisions without consulting the parents.
4. Marriage is a Mystery, not Mathematics: the mystery of 1 + 1 = 1. The best that science can do is to discover what God has already done: the two shall “become one flesh”!
5. Marriage thrives in an atmosphere of Sincerity and Transparency: “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Gen.2:25). Where sincerity is lacking, unhealthy suspicion will set in. Secrecy brings shame; sincerity attracts Glory!
6. Marriage is to be enjoyed not endured: “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth” (Pro.5:18). God did not ordain marriage to fail; so, believe and confess that you are in it to succeed. You have no reason to look back, give up or back out. Be confident of success in enjoying a thriving relationship.
7. Marriage produces Synergy: “two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor” (Ecc.4:9). “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Mt.18:19). Marriage is fun, pleasure, frills, and thrills, but it is also the platform for the couple to work together to deal with the devil, and secure the bond of agreement: “And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecc.4:12). Stay in harmony and enjoy daily and unending victories! God is the eternal Bond of the threefold cord; and the only true Third Party for a Marvellous Marriage – a Home like Heaven!