By

Shelby G. Floyd

We hear much news about sexual misbehavior in politics, business, news corporations, religious organizations, and regular homes. it is timely that we share what the creator said about honoring your marriage bed. Both the Jewish and Christian writings in the Bible are replete with high principles of marriage fidelity.

GOD HONORS MARRIAGE

The value of marriage we must hold in honor and high regard.  Do not lightly esteem nor treat with disdain the marriage bed.  From the beginning of time God and God-fearing people exalted the marriage relationship. Almighty God honored marriage in the very beginning of creation when he joined man and woman together:

And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man (Genesis 2:21-24).

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.”

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh (NKJV).

THE BOOK OF HEBREWS HONORS MARRIAGE

The book of Hebrews speaks of this venerable institution: “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4 NKJV).

MARRIAGE PARTNERS SHOULD HONOR MARRIAGE

We notice that it is the will of God to hold marriage in high honor and great respect, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Paul instructed young Timothy that false teachers would forbid marriage. But those who know and believe the truth will receive marriage with thanksgiving! (1 Timothy 4: 3).

CHRISTIAN PEOPLE SHOULD HONOR MARRIAGE

Christian people should value their relationship with their spouse and not defile the marriage bed with any kind of unlawful sexual relationships.  This would include fornication with unmarried individuals and adulterous relationships with married individuals.  Sodomy, prostitution, and homosexual acts all fall within the definition of fornication and will be judged by God:

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders” (1 Corinthians 6:9). 

Fornication and adultery are identified as the works of the flesh and those so engaged who are not repentant of such actions will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19, 21).

WORLDLY PEOPLE DISHONOR MARRIAGE

Our world of lascivious and lewd behavior may be rewarded by worldly and shortsighted individuals. But just as surely as such behavior was judged by the flood in the days of Noah, so also will those be judged who dishonor their marriage vows before God (2 Peter 3:3-12). *

*Copyright © 2023 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd, Minister of the Heartland Church of Christ, 1693 West Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana 46142
shelby@thefloyds.net