Regulations of Man and Woman within MarriageThey are required to become one flesh:“and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Matthew 19:5,6 [Jesus Speaking]
The loyalty that man and woman are to have to one another once married is so deep it cannot be measured. It should be a loyalty and devotion that infuses them as one whole representation of God’s creation. Man and woman joined comes the closest to God’s totality of creation. Both represent God and God’s characteristics in different manners. Together they create a perfect wholeness.
Once married the relationship between the two parties supersedes any other relationship, this is why the example of leaving the father and mother is given. Prior to a spouse, the relationship between the parents and child has typically been the deepest form of relationship an individual has experienced. God considers this coming together to be so sacred He forbids anyone to attempt to interfere with the marital union.
They are required to remain married until death parts them [only two exceptions apply - adultery and abandonment by a nonbeliever]:So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.
Romans7:2, 3
Divorce is so widespread this day and time even with the church that this particular topic is very difficult to address. Nevertheless, the truth of the matter is that God does not intend or desire that divorce take place. It is His Will that people who have been joined in marriage remain married until death parts them. Giving up and walking away should not be an option for us. We need to find a way to work it out and make the relationship functional. As Mom would say, ‘We made our choice and we need to live with it.’ In extreme circumstances a couple could chose to take a period of time apart while each person works on personal issues and they work on marital issues together. This should only be under severe circumstances where supporting one another and helping one another with both the martial and personal issues has failed. We took vows and those vows are sacred, we should treated them as such.
They are required to meet one another’s sexual need:Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
1 Corinthians 7:1-5
This is another topic people within the church tend to shy away from, the elephant in the room. Sex is a very necessary, healthy, invigorating aspect of the martial relationship. This aspect is so important that God has required that we take notice to care for and not neglect this portion of our relationship. Scripture makes it clear we are required to meet the physical needs of our spouse. Sexual relations between a married couple should be a beautiful thing. Learning and growing together in this arena of life should be something each person is willing and even excited about doing. Making our sex life as passionate as possible with our spouse should be a high priority for both people. Paying special attention to their likes and dislikes along with expressing ours.
Abstaining from sex should be for a purpose and an agreed upon commitment. It should not be used as a tool for one person to either punish or manipulate the other spouse, by controlling or limiting sexual contact. One spouse should not simply stop participating because they no longer desire to participate. Such things can destroy the sexual relationship and possibly even the marriage.
They are required to cover one another in holiness:
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
1 Corinthians 7:14-16
Our behavior can directly affect our spouse’s ability and desire for holiness. Therefore, it is imperative that our actions reflect the same. We need daily help to bring, through example, exhortation and encouragement, our spouse to a place of sanctification, consecration, and deeper love for God and the things of God.
Reflecting on a couple of the words in this verse and their meaning in the Greek Language will aid you in understanding better what is being spoken of here in this verse.
“Sanctified” in the Greek Language =
37. aJgiavzw hagiazoµ, hag-ee-ad´-zo; from 40; to make holy, i.e. (cer.) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:— hallow, be holy, sanctify.
40. a{gio" hagioás, hag´-ee-os; from a{go" hagoás (an awful thing) [comp. 53, 2282]; sacred (phys. pure, mor. blameless or religious, cer. consecrated):— (most) holy (one, thing), saint.
“Venerate” in the Encarta ® World English Dictionary =
ven·er·ate
vt
1. respect somebody: to regard somebody with profound respect or reverence
2. honor somebody or something: to honor somebody or something as sacred or special
“Save” in the Greek Language =
4982. swvzw soµzoµ, sode´-zo; from a primary sw`" soµs (contr. for obs. savo" saoás, “safe”); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (lit. or fig.):— heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
