Call me old fashioned but I believe the Bible definition of marriage. Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.1.KJV Genesis 2:18 “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.2.KJV From the very beginning of time God created male and female and they were to be united in marriage. Eve was not taken from a bone in Adam’s head to be superior to him; nor from his foot to be trampled by him, but was taken from his side, to be loved and protected by him and his constant companion and helper. God created to institutions at creation, the first was marriage and the second was the Sabbath. Ever since creation satan has been attacking these institutions. Matthew 19:3 “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.19.KJV God hates divorce. Malachi 2:14 “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAL.2.KJV Ecclesiastes 9:9 “Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ECC.9.KJV Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.13.KJV 1 Corinthians 7:2 “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.7.KJV Romans 7:2 “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.7.KJV 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/2CO.6.KJV Matthew 5:27 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.5.KJV
Practical texts for husbands and wives: Ephesians 5:22 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EPH.5.KJV Already I can see women everywhere rolling their eyes at the archaic thought of submission. I can hear them saying, “I won’t be anyone’s doormat.” That little word, submit, stops people from even listening to the rest of the text. Verse 21 says, “submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (link above, emphasis supplied) Verse 25 tells men to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. A man who loves God supremely will not be a tyrant to his wife. (Never would I ever suggest that a woman stay in a dangerous position, I’ve been there---a man I was married to told me that he would shoot me in the head and bury my body where no one would ever find me---I DIDN’T stay. RUN and GET HELP!!!) 1 Peter 3:1 “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1PE.3.KJV God, through the apostle Peter, says that a man’s prayers can be hindered if they do not honor their wives. That’s pretty strong language! 1 Corinthians 6: 15 “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.6.KJV Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/COL.3.KJV Matthew 5:27 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.5.KJV Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, So that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.31.KJV Proverbs 21:19 “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and an angry woman.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.21.KJV Proverbs 19:13 “A foolish son is the calamity of his father: And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: And a prudent wife is from the LORD.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.19.KJV Proverbs 14:1 “Every wise woman buildeth her house: But the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.14.KJV 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1TI.5.KJV Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.13.KJV
Practical texts for parents and children: Psalm 127:11 “Except the LORD build the house, They labour in vain that build it: 3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: And the fruit of the womb is his reward.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.127.KJV Proverbs 17:6 “Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.17.KJV The next one is definitely controversial. Please note: neither the Bible nor I condone abuse of any kind. There is a difference between an appropriate punishment and abuse. It has only been since the removal of a just punishment that we have seen a swift decline in respect for authority. Proverbs 13:24 “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.13.KJV Proverbs 29:15 “The rod and reproof give wisdom: But a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.29.KJV Hebrews 12:9 “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.12.KJV Colossians 3:20 “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/COL.3.KJV Luke 17:1 “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.17.KJV Mark 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MRK.10.KJV Proverbs 20:11 “Even a child is known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.20.KJV Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.22.KJV Isaiah 54:13 “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.54.KJV Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3 that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EPH.6.KJV 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1TI.4.KJV 3 John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/3JN.1.KJV
There are several good movies put out by the Kendrick brothers about what good Godly families should look like, and while I don’t personally agree with everything in those movies, the basic story lines are, in my opinion, excellent examples of God-fearing men and women. These movies are titled: Courageous, Fireproof, and War Room. (Their other movies are inspiring also) The Resolution from “Courageous”: “THE RESOLUTION: I do solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children. •I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home. •I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me. •I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their hearts, all of t heir minds, and all of their strength. •I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly. •I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy. •I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion. •I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family. •I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged. •I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God. •I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will. •I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for t he rest of my life and for His glory. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. – Joshua 24:15” chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.christ2rculture.com/resources/Ministry-Blog/Courageous---Resolution.pdf
Family and the relationships within the family are so important to God that three of the ten commandments addresses issues in the family. Exodus 20:12 “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EXO.20.KJV
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