So, I have laid before you the best path for a Christian, to remain single, that you will not be harnessed in this life and you can be free to serve the Lord. Some of us, if we tried to do this, would only "burn with passion," or even put in the KJV, simply, "burn."
So what about your "Average Joe" kind of guy? What about marriage? Well, we know that even in being married, we can still please God, and serve Him whole heartedly, we can read of modern day missionaries who were heroes for Christ, and even their wives were heroines. Some missionaries could never have accomplished the work of their mission field without a wife, which makes sense, considering that women were made as helpers, companions, and comforters of men. So, getting married is not just a normal thing, it is something that you must heartily pray about. Getting married must truly be God's will for your life, otherwise you may never reach your full God given potential, and may be faced with frustration and heartache. Matthew 6:33 says, "...and He will GIVE you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the kingdom of God your primary concern." (God will GIVE you what you NEED!) Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do no depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths." Getting married is a big decision, and God is pleased when we trust Him. How pleased do you think He is when we go from day to day serving Him, without asking girls if they would like to go on a date, or trying to figure out whom we want to marry. A life partner affects your life, and since a wife must also be a soul partner, she will affect your soul. Let God guide you. Don't try to guide yourself.
For the girls, one verse that is very important is this, Proverbs 19:22 "What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar." This talks about two things in a man, his kindness and his truthfulness, or otherwise could be said, his integrity. You can read that passage again, but no matter how many times I read it, it never talks about muscle, athletic ability, or looks. Imagine that, huh!
For the guys, things get more complicated. Proverbs 4:9, talking of wisdom says, "She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty." Proverbs 12:4a reads, "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband�." So for a guy, you must have wisdom, and she (wisdom) will then gain you a crown (a wife). If you are going to be the head of a household, the spiritual leader, and the provider, you must have wisdom. So, before you concern yourself with anything, get wisdom; and you girls, look for a guy with wisdom.
This is the list of things to look for in a lady; and ladies, this is what you should be. (Taken from Proverbs 31) A woman should� be of good virtue (moral value), capable of being a wife and taking care of children, trustworthy, being an enrichment to life. She must be helpful and encouraging, and not be hindering. She must be good with her hands and can fix things and willing to supply family needs. No matter how much she must do to supply for the needs of the family, she will rise early and keep the needs of the house in order, smart with money, and will help provide. She is energetic in what she does, and strong in character and in work. She is thrifty, and not frivolous, with money at stores. She works into the night, making sure all is well before going to bed. Never idle with her hands and quick to help those in need. She keeps the family well fed, and clothed. Works with her hands, and dresses modestly, and nicely, filled with dignity, fearing not the future, wise and kind, and fears the Lord. This may be a long list, but they are all very important. A man has many (actually all) of the same requirements.
Getting married is not a small issue; it is only if God calls you to be married. Even when someone walks by and your heart and mind spins, if you and they don't have the required characteristics to get married, you should not want to tell the person you like them, or try to date them. Rather, you should work all the harder at all the characteristics I have just covered. Try to serve God all the more, because God will supply what we need, but we must be ready, and prepare ourselves, to receive his gift. Don't try to reach out and take, but rather concentrate on God and He will give you someone perfectly matched for you. That is a promise of someone greater than you could ever imagine.
>First Page<
To Wed or Not To Wed?