KNOWING GOD'S WILL IN MARRIAGE
BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 24:1-19
CONCLUSION
Prayer, pure word of God, worship, fellowship and service for God and right environment of good spiritual nourishment are factors that aid our spiritual sensitivity. Pray for our singles today.
"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD."-Proverbs 19:14
BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 24:1-19
INTRODUCTION
I can assure you that the determination to know God's perfect will in marrage is one of the best decisions any Christian can ever make in life.
Marriage is the legal relationship between a husband and wife that lasts for a life time. The step taken before going into this journey is very important to prevent pitfall- Genesis 2:21-22. In knowing God's will, therefore, you do not have to rely on vague hunches and weird rituals. As a child of God, you have' His word, it is spirit within you, and His men to guide and counsel you.
Marriage is the legal relationship between a husband and wife that lasts for a life time. The step taken before going into this journey is very important to prevent pitfall- Genesis 2:21-22. In knowing God's will, therefore, you do not have to rely on vague hunches and weird rituals. As a child of God, you have' His word, it is spirit within you, and His men to guide and counsel you.
I. FOUR TYPES OF WILL
Firstly,I want you to know that some scholars say that we have 4 types of WILL namely:
1.Perfect will of God--
1.Perfect will of God--
this is getting the real blessing which God in His divine wisdom knows is the best for your life,though most times we find it very difficult to agree with God but in the end,one will surely thank God for His foresight,wisdom and direction.
2.Permissive will of God--
2.Permissive will of God--
God may eventually allow his child to have his/her way after many begging and considerations.Of course you should be able to bear the consequences of your neglecting God's will for your life.King Saul was given to the Israelites grudgingly by God.Many old testament saints practiced polygamy which God frowns at but He reluctantly permitted them to divorce/remarry/or marry many wives out of endurance.Believe me,each of them that tried those things came back to regret their actions later.
3.Self Will--
3.Self Will--
Closely knitted with permissive will though this may be completely outside God's plan for the individual.The Israelites decided in their own will/volition to go out and attack the enemies without God's permission and they were massacred like christian chickens,for deciding to embark on an action not sanctioned by God.Samson had a covenant with God not to intermingle with unbelievers in marriage but he blatantly ignored God's directive and slept on Delilah's lap and he met himself in the mortuary. Solomon knew clearly that marrying the daughters of Pharaoh was against God's will for him but he disobeyed and he ended up a wretch.
4.Satanic/Demonic Will--
4.Satanic/Demonic Will--
Powers of darkness can super-impose their own will on human beings in order to fulfill satanic mandate or try to frustrate God's plan.
II. THE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD FIRST
Marriage is a creation of God. It all started from Him - Gen.2:18. God will only guide His own - Jer.1 0:23. He will not play a guessing game with His people. He wants us to know and do His will and He is actively involved in revealing it. Therefore, before seeking God's will in marriage, first have relationships with Him - Ps.119:130; Ps.119:105. Develop your God's gift and master how God guides your steps - Ps.85:8. This will reduce stress, give your life meaning and prepare you for eternity 2 Pet. 1:3-4. You must be found working - Gen.2: 15-18. Marriage is not for lazy people. Marriage is for adults.
Marriage is a creation of God. It all started from Him - Gen.2:18. God will only guide His own - Jer.1 0:23. He will not play a guessing game with His people. He wants us to know and do His will and He is actively involved in revealing it. Therefore, before seeking God's will in marriage, first have relationships with Him - Ps.119:130; Ps.119:105. Develop your God's gift and master how God guides your steps - Ps.85:8. This will reduce stress, give your life meaning and prepare you for eternity 2 Pet. 1:3-4. You must be found working - Gen.2: 15-18. Marriage is not for lazy people. Marriage is for adults.
II. GODLY COUNSEL FOR MARRIAGE
God does not want His people to be joined with unbelievers 2 Cor.6: 14-16; 1Cor.6:15-17. How do we recognise His will in marriage?
a. Through the word of God - Prov.3:5-7. God has placed His word in our hands so we can have a much more objective set of guidelines to follow than dreams, feelings and impulses. Despite your dreams and conviction, pray to have scriptural backing - Prov.18:22; Gen.2:22; Prov.19:14.
b. God will work in you to do His will. He will use circumstances and situations to perfect His will for your life - Rom. 8.28;.Phil.2:12-13. You must therefore remain sensitive; paying attention to doors He opens and closes to direct your path.
c. Through the counsel of elders or spiritual heads in the church - Psalm 1:1; Pro.19:21; 11:14; 15:22; 20:5; Rom.15:14; Acts 1:24; Titus 2:3-5. Passion for sex may influence your hasty decision for self-pleasures, therefore, at that sensitive moment, do not despise Godly counsel from spiritual heads- Judges 14:1-3, Prov.14:29; Isa.52:12.
d. The environment you are and your peers will also influence your choice. Therefore, keep company with believers and not unbelievers - 1 Cor.15:33; 1 Samuel 8:5-6.
God does not want His people to be joined with unbelievers 2 Cor.6: 14-16; 1Cor.6:15-17. How do we recognise His will in marriage?
a. Through the word of God - Prov.3:5-7. God has placed His word in our hands so we can have a much more objective set of guidelines to follow than dreams, feelings and impulses. Despite your dreams and conviction, pray to have scriptural backing - Prov.18:22; Gen.2:22; Prov.19:14.
b. God will work in you to do His will. He will use circumstances and situations to perfect His will for your life - Rom. 8.28;.Phil.2:12-13. You must therefore remain sensitive; paying attention to doors He opens and closes to direct your path.
c. Through the counsel of elders or spiritual heads in the church - Psalm 1:1; Pro.19:21; 11:14; 15:22; 20:5; Rom.15:14; Acts 1:24; Titus 2:3-5. Passion for sex may influence your hasty decision for self-pleasures, therefore, at that sensitive moment, do not despise Godly counsel from spiritual heads- Judges 14:1-3, Prov.14:29; Isa.52:12.
d. The environment you are and your peers will also influence your choice. Therefore, keep company with believers and not unbelievers - 1 Cor.15:33; 1 Samuel 8:5-6.
CONCLUSION
Prayer, pure word of God, worship, fellowship and service for God and right environment of good spiritual nourishment are factors that aid our spiritual sensitivity. Pray for our singles today.
