Marriage & The Word

By Minister Shirlene Bailey

The institution of marriage was created by God himself and He gives many instructions to us regarding the disciplines of obtaining and maintaining a successful marriage. Today I would like to explore other benefits of using the word of God in its totality concerning marriage and how we can utilize the scriptures. In a time when the word is being taught and preached like never before the divorce rate in the church has reached epidemic proportions.  The question I ask is, “Why”? Has the power of “the word” weakened or has it been diluted by the selfish desires of our flesh? Has the word lost its meaningfulness or have we redefined the word to suit our private agendas? 

In this article I would like to challenge to use the entire word. What am I saying? I am saying that quite often we just look at the scriptures pertaining to marriage, but not all of the other scriptures that encourage us to love, to forgive, to give, and to live lives that are pleasing to God.  The word of God lays out a perfect path from Genesis to Revelation that will lead us to God and put us in a position of inheriting all that He has for His people. This path also takes us on a journey which leads us toward building a long lasting relationship with Him that has the propensity of being unbreakable! In ministry I have often asked this question, “Why do we exercise the word and disciplines of God with everyone else but not with those who are closes to us--especially our spouses”? We find it easier to love, forgive, give and do what is necessary to live a life pleasing to God until we are challenged to do it with our family, or our spouses.  Why? 

My friends, if you want to be successful in your marriage this question will lead you to one of the most powerful tools you can use especially when you will need a bit more prompting in doing what is right and essential in maintaining a strong, healthy relationship with God and your spouse. It helps you to stay in tune to what is most important--the gratification of self and being alone or interacting with all involved. It also helps you to take a look at what is really important. 

Now, go with me into the word for a moment and think about those scriptures that have helped you to maintain a godly rapport with others, buy when it come to your spouse, and even your family, there is a rebelliousness that rises up. Why? Could it be that that the enemy has discovered an inner working in us that, if not yielded to Godly discipline, will tear apart and put asunder the institute of marriage? Now let me stop to say as long as God is in Heaven I know that will never be; yet, I pose the question that we may ponder on marriage and how we have handled ourselves in the greatest institution ever created. Think about it, when someone angered you in church or when someone did something that you didn’t deem worthy of your forgiveness, you still forgave the person. Why, why, why, I ask?

The word of God and marriage go hand in hand because the bible is our study guide to our relationship with God. In the New Testament Jesus clearly points out the correlation of the two relationships: Christ and the church and husbands and wives. Jesus points out how our relationships should be reflective of His connection with the church. The link between the two is profound.  The initial expectation of both relationships is found in the book of Genesis. My friends, take a few minutes and do this exercise with me it will help you not only in your marriage but in your relationship with God and your church family. If possible do this exercise with your spouse. Look at the instructions of Genesis and talk about how you as a couple will exercise these instructions. Next, choose one or two instructions God has given to the church (such as to love one another, or how we are to forgive) and talk about how you have or have not lived up to this in your marriage. Then, discuss how you will become more productive in areas where you are lacking Godly discipline. God’s word is still powerful and we must utilize it in order to reap the benefits of its power. God’s word in its totality fits well in the health and wealth of a great marriage.  

Again, I encourage you to use the word in your marriages.  See the wonderful benefits it will bring for you and your spouse. The word of God is not exclusive but all inclusive-- meaning our spouses also. We cannot be guilty of using the word with our church family, co-workers, fraternity brothers and sisters…but not our spouses?

Until the next time stay married and stay in the word!