In our culture today, there is an increasing disrespect and disdain for marriage and God’s perfect plan for it. Some today view marriage as optional, yeah, even old-fashioned. Is marriage one of those things that we should let go of—in the same way, that we have let go of bell-bottom pants, black-and-white television, and Pluto as a planet? Let’s consider some Bible truths.
First, God created man in the beginning. On the sixth day, God made mankind (Gen. 1:26-27). Without God, man would have no existence at all! So, does it not make sense that TO GOD—i.e., to the revelation He has given us—we must go for all knowledge about life and existence on this earth?
Second, God created male and female in the beginning. When God created the male, He determined to create a close companion for him, for it was “not good that man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18). The God who created the male then created the female to complete the male, as a “helper” who was “suitable for” (or corresponding to) the man. Thus, there is something unique to the male/female relationship that can only be achieved therein.
Third, God created marriage for man and woman. Only a male/female couple may enjoy marriage together. God said that “a man (i.e., a male) shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife (i.e., a female)” (Gen. 2:24). God created marriage. God created sex (between a male and a female). He inseparably joined marriage, and the enjoyment of the sexual relationship (Heb. 13:4). Only a husband and his wife may acceptably engage in any sexual activity. God created marriage for the purpose of procreation and the population of the earth (Gen. 1:28). Only a husband and his wife, once married to each other, are intended to have children. God created marriage to provide completion to the man and the woman (Gen. 2:18, 23) and to help man vividly illustrate the beautiful relationship between Christ and His bride, the church (Eph. 5:22-33).
Let’s go back and ask and answer this question: “Is marriage out-of-date and a thing of the past?” Not in the least! 4,000 years after God created marriage, Jesus Himself (God in the flesh, Matt. 1:23; John 1:1-3) pointed back to God’s creation of male and female and the marriage relationship “in the beginning” as the firm and unalterable foundation for understanding God’s design for mankind (Matt. 19:3-9). If nothing had changed in the first 4,000 years of man’s existence, why would we think that it would be any different after another 2,000 years?
Save your marriage!
Regardless of what shape your marriage is in, it can probably use some work. There are some “simple” things that you need to DO and “simple” things you need to STOP doing.
DO: Talk to (not at) your spouse. Listen (actively) to your spouse. Pray. Read the Bible. Spend time together–while relaxing and on set dates. Be humble. Focus on his/her needs and desires. Say, “I love you,” often. Say, “Thank you.” Practice agape love (1 Cor. 13).
STOP: Yelling. Fighting. Slamming. Stomping. Blaming. Fussing. Whining. Pouting. Being grumpy. Expecting perfection. Centering everything around you. Putting other things and people ahead of your spouse. Making everything about money and jumping to conclusions.
Somebody says, “But I am not married, so this has nothing to do with me.” If you are a Christian, you are married to Christ (Rom. 7:4; 2 Cor. 11:2). These principles also apply to that relationship. Go back, read them again, and make an application.
When you get married, take a one-year vacation
That is what God, in essence, told newlyweds to do in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 24:5, the One who created, defined and regulated marriage instructed the Jews, “When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken.” How seriously did God take marriage? As One who hates divorce (cf. Mal. 2:16), God gave early proactive steps to take in order for marriage to be successful.
First, husbands and wives must spend quantity and quality time together. It’s not an either-or proposition with God. Second, the responsibility of husbands and wives is not to fulfil selfish desires but to “bring happiness” to each other by fulfilling each other’s needs. Third, by doing these two things, husbands and wives will be obeying the commands of God, which should be their top priority in all things. God takes marriage seriously. How about you?
10 most common types of cheating
1. Cheating sexually
Physical infidelity is one of the most common types of cheating in a relationship. This entails sexual intimacy with somebody that isn’t your partner. It is being unfaithful to your partner and is a breach of a couple’s sexual exclusivity.
2. Online affairs
An online affair is one of the forms of cheating. It is a relationship with intimate and sexual undertones that thrives online through texts, calls, and video calls.
3. Financial infidelity
Financial cheating occurs when a partner doesn’t come clean about their spending or savings. For example, they could go over the monthly budget to purchase gifts for their secret lover and, as a result, hide their financial statement from their partner.
4. Emotional cheating
Emotional infidelity involves being emotionally attached to someone other than your partner. This type of cheating is easily forgiven because it doesn’t include physical intimacy, but it can also ruin a relationship.
5. Fantasising (fantasising) about someone else
Someone occasionally and briefly will fantasise about a person they find attractive. But letting your mind wander and dream of acts that can lead to action can be considered cheating, and it’s a sin.
6. Physical affair without sex
Many people ask, “Is kissing cheating when in a relationship?” Just kissing someone who isn’t your partner can be regarded as cheating. You can’t escape the consequences of your action by saying, “We only kissed; we didn’t have sex.”
7. Having romantic feelings for someone else
Having feelings for someone other than your partner can be considered cheating if such feelings are acted upon. This can be done by devoting your time to them and spending your savings to buy them expensive gifts.
8. Pouring your time and attention into a hobby
You can cheat on your partner with a hobby or interest. Devoting your attention and time to a hobby instead of your partner can constitute cheating.
Instead of spending time with your partner, you will play games, engage in physical activities, or work the weekend.
9. Micro-cheating
Micro-cheating involves developing inappropriate and intimate connections outside your relationship. This is one of the common types of cheating in a relationship, and it consists of stalking your ex on social media, having an active online profile on a dating site, or flirting with other people.
10. Commemorative fidelity
Commemorative cheating happens when a person has fallen out of love and has no feelings for their partner. But they remain in the relationship because of an obligation.
These people justify cheating by arguing that their relationship has fallen apart and that it is not wrong to search for love outside.
5 ways to deal with cheating in a relationship
1. Open communication
2. Seek professional help
3. Set boundaries and expectations
4. Self-care and support
5. Reflect on the relationship’s future
Marriage is no joke! God designed it! Let’s respect it!
Lesson has been delivered by: Bro Petras
