Overview of Man/Woman Relationships Romans 12:1-2
God wants the sexes kept distinct. No unisex attempting to dress like the opposite sex (Deut. 22:5). What this means varies according to the culture. Is the dress masculine or feminine--is the issue.
God’s view of homosexuality is seen by His treatment of Sodom (Gen. 19:24-25).
The sexual union is reserved for a marriage between a man and woman.
The marriage bed is “pure” (Hebrews 13:4, NIV).
The root word is “pornea” in Greek, from which we have “pornography.”
One male, Adam, was given one female, Eve (Gen. 2:24). Jesus upheld the inspiration of that text and endorsed monogamy when He quoted from it, “the two will become one flesh” (Matt. 19:5-6; Eph. 5:31).
God did allow polygamy in the Old Testament (Deut. 21:15; 2 Sam. 12:8). Islam still allows four wives.
The New Testament teaches against polygamy through the ideal stated by Jesus and through the qualification that church leaders be monogamous (1 Tim. 3:2, 12).
A true Christian may only marry a true Christian (2 Cor. 6:14-17).
Genesis 24:1 Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. 2 He said to the chief servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh. 3 I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 4 but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac."
Do not look for a spouse among those in a cult or in a dead church, unless the person has risen far above the spiritual level of that church.
A true Christian engages in potentially self-destructive behavior by dating non-Christians.
Ask for God’s direction. Abraham’s chief servant asked for a sign from God to identify the future wife of his master’s son Isaac.
Look for a spouse who fears the Lord, not primarily for a physically handsome or beautiful person.
God isn’t intent upon punishing us with a partner. God created beauty. He gave us a sense of beauty—of proper proportion. He can give you a handsome man or beautiful woman.
Look for someone who is sexually pure
Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Honor the father and mother. Seek to obtain their blessing in courtship and for marriage. Ask permission of the parents to marry the daughter.
Engagements are relatively easy to break. Whether or not it is broken, virginity is lost.
Spiritual and natural laws are in harmony.
The best protection from STDs is sexual purity. Other methods are imperfect against AIDS and other diseases.
This holds marriage in high honor (Heb. 13:4). Jesus dignified marriage by attending one with His disciples and even replenished the wine (John 2:1-9).
In Christian ceremonies, the husband promises to love (Eph. 5:25) and care for his wife, and she to honor and submit to his headship (Eph. 5:22-24; 1 Pet. 3:1-6).
A marriage provides occasion to celebrate God’s first institution; reminds us of the biblical pattern; and is the most pure and noble moment in any society.
Because marriage joins two sinners for life, liberal forgiveness is required, before bitterness develops (Matt. 18:21-22; Heb. 12:15; Eph. 4:26-27).
Adultery
This begins in the heart, by watching another’s partner (Prov. 4:23; 6:25; Matt. 15:19), or watching a virgin (Job 31:1).
If you’re unmarried and cannot control yourself, marry (1 Cor. 7:9).
A woman who gives away her virginity without the vows of marriage is incredibly blind or ignorant. She squanders her purity and her body and the man takes advantage of her, taking without giving security.
Jesus Himself allowed divorce because of adultery (Matt. 19:9). It isn’t mandatory, but neither is it un-Christian for the offended party to divorce.
Apostles Paul and Peter stressed winning the unbeliever to Christ (1 Cor. 7:16; 1 Pet. 3:1-2). The assumption is that either husband or wife became a Christian after marriage. But God has also called us to live in peace (1 Cor. 7:15). If an unbeliever wants to leave, the believer will have more peace not interfering.
God “hates” divorce (Mal. 3:15-16). Divorce for other than adultery or desertion (some would extend it to desertion by a believer), makes either husband or wife liable to the charge of adultery upon further sexual relations.
It’s clearly alright to remarry upon the death of a marriage partner (1 Cor. 7:39-40), but particularly those of childbearing age (1 Tim. 5:14).
Despite the norm being to fill and rule the earth, singleness for the Kingdom was encouraged by both Jesus and Paul (Matt. 19:11-12; 1 Cor. 7:1, 8-9). This enables focus upon the work of God, instead of upon the marriage partner (1 Cor. 7:32-35).
Singleness is a spiritual gift (1 Cor. 7:7). A lack of sexual self-control confirms its absence (1 Cor. 7:9).
A single Christian finds completion in Christ, just as does any other Christian (Col. 2:9-10).