Even though our country and world continues to hotly debate what defines marriage, the Bible settled the issue for Christ-followers long ago. It began with the very first people—a man and a woman—that God joined together in a one-flesh covenant in the Garden of Eden.

If you’re not a Christ-follower, then you probably don’t believe that account, nor any of the other teachings about marriage from the Bible.

But if you are a Christ-follower, it’s absolutely essential to the way you navigate and thrive in marriage and life. Not knowing or following these biblical principles and truths will leave you dissatisfied in marriage and wandering in your spiritual life as well. So a lot is at stake!

How does the Bible define marriage?

As a Covenant Blessed and Upheld by God

This concept is worlds apart from how our judicial systems define marriage—as a contract. A contract is conditional and based on the people keeping up their ends of the bargain.

But a marriage covenant is designed and sustained by God.

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”  —Matthew 19:6

Did you see that? God joins believers together into a one-flesh union as spouses. #marriagemystery

Now, as humans, we can and do sometimes break this covenant. Sometimes for understandable, even biblically allowable reasons as well—which I won’t go into in this post.

It’s just that when both spouses are believers, we have this incredible power to remain faithful, content and even joyful in marriage through our God.

With that definition established, let’s move on to …

4 Biblical Purposes of Marriage with 16 Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Companionship and Help

“The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” —Genesis 2:18

As a wife, I hope to provide an encouraging presence in my husband’s life every day. But we both take turns helping the other to see things with a fresh set of eyes.

And though I sometimes resist it, my husband is often the best one to point out where I’m getting off track. After all, he sees my life up-close and more personally than anyone else. My life and Christian walk are stronger and better because my husband is my constant companion and helper.

How good of a companion are you to your spouse?

Do you  …

• Stretch out of your comfort zone to spend time doing what your mate likes to do?
• Listen attentively to your mate’s heart, when you’re not fully interested in the topic?
• Make time to connect emotionally, spiritually and sexually—doing so, with enthusiasm?

How good of a helper are you to your mate?

Do you …

• Seek to encourage and comfort more often than correcting and criticizing your mate?
• Lovingly and gently spur your mate to grow spiritually, relationally, emotionally and otherwise (Heb. 10:24)?
• Welcome that same “spurring” from your mate?
• Pray daily for your mate?
• Better yet, pray with your mate?

2. To Bear Children—Raising Them to Impact the World for Christ

Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. —Malachi 2:15

Since we are believers, we belong to our “one God.” And because of that relationship, we are blessed with the opportunity to raise up “godly offspring”—equipping them to carry forth the message of Christ into generations long after us. That means …

[bctt tweet=”We get to create a lasting legacy for Christ, whenever we seize this opportunity. #bealegacymaker Head to MM to find out what it is!” username=”BethSteffaniak”]

If you are a childless couple, don’t you worry! You can share your faith—allowing God to birth new “children” into His family through your faithful witness for Him. 😉

Do you individually or together …

• Teach your children how to know and follow the Lord?
• Actively share your faith with others?
• Pray for and/or encourage others spiritually?

3. To Provide for Sexual Intimacy, Connection and Release within Marriage

“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”  —1 Corinthians 7:2

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”  —Hebrews 13:4

Since God designed us as sexual beings, He expects us to have sex—lots of sex! It actually honors our marriages when we do! We just need to keep sex in the purity and confines of marriage. Without this provision, we would look to anyone to satisfy our cravings.

Straying might seem like a sweet deal, but for the believer, it clearly is not! Actually, I don’t think it is for the unbeliever either. They just rarely realize it. 😦

You see, God knows that we need the safety of a secure and sacred union in order to be free to love our spouses with abandon and joy. This bonds our hearts so much more tightly than if we jumped from partner to partner and bed to bed.

[bctt tweet=”This one thing bonds our hearts so much more tightly than the alternative. Head to Messy Marriage to find out what it is! #purposesinmarriage #Godsdesign” username=”BethSteffaniak”]

So …

• How enthusiastic are you about your sexual relationship with your husband or wife?
• In what ways are you making efforts to keep your heart and mind pure and focused only on your spouse?

4. To Reflect Christ’s Love for the “Church”

This is probably the most important and powerful purpose behind the Christ-follower’s marriage. We get to display the love Jesus has for the church—all Christ-followers—to a watching world.

The world desperately needs this picture of the most incredible love story ever so that they too are drawn to the Bridegroom.

First of all, wives have the distinct role of reflecting the church’s response to Christ …

“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.”   —Ephesians 5:22-23

Some women get all bent out of shape over the “s” word! Lol! But really, it’s the guys who have the harder job of reflecting the way Christ loves the church.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her …”  —Ephesians 5:25

See? Christ didn’t simply submit his desires to someone else’s. He went so much further by DYING for the church!

• Wives: What is one way you need to improve on submitting to your husband?
• Husbands: What is one way you need to improve on showing love to your wife?
• As a couple: What is one way you can better display Christ’s “mystery” to the world (Eph. 5:32)?

[bctt tweet=”Love a mystery? How about being a part of God’s mysterious purposes found in marriage? See how at Messy Marriage! #mysterylover” username=”BethSteffaniak”]

Click on the image below, if you’d like a printable PDF of this prayer. It will open in a new window and you can download it by clicking on the “…” in the upper righthand corner.

 

Which of the four purposes given above do you need to improve on most in marriage?

 

How do you feel about God’s purposes and definition of marriage?

 

Next week I’ll be back in this series—“Marriage According to the Bible”—with a post on how the Bible can guide you through your marriage problems, along with a list of my top problem-solving posts. You won’t want to miss it! And if you’re looking for a quick devotional. My latest “Two Sides of Spiritual Gifts” is live at Life Letter Cafe! I hope you’ll head there to find out what those two sides are! 

Also, if you’re interested, click here to read more about how to join my latest upcoming free Facebook Bible study, where we will be diving into the book of Ephesians.

This study will start the week of Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. So you still have time to sign up. I’d sure love to have you join me!

 

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Here are some lovely linkups I join – Inspire Me Monday, Literary Musing Mondays, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith, Tell His Story, Recharge Wednesday, Porch Stories Linkup, Break Through Homeschooling Linkup, Coffee for Your Heart, Sitting Among Friends, Destination Inspiration, Grace Moments Linkup, Tune in Thursday, Heart Encouragement, Moments of Hope, Grace and Truth, Faith and Friends, Blogger Voices Network, Faith on Fire Friday, Fresh Market Friday, and DanceWithJesusFriday

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