(SneakPeek) 10 Foolish Reasons For Getting Married

Here is a brief excerpt from the teaching series we are currently covering with the young men and women from our church (Marriage: The Myth & The Meaning). Additional resources will be available later this year, with Gods help.

1. Because your friends are getting married
If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you? This is an absurd, rhetorical question, of course! The point is, you must live the life God gave you and not copy what someone else is doing. Just because it is time for your friend to get married doesn’t mean it’s time for you to get married. Plus, you may be seeing just the exterior of someone’s love life. Deep down, they may be entering marriage foolishly; don’t be envious. If anything, pray for any/all of your friends who seem to be rushing into marriage, without counting the cost.

Not a few have entered marriage because it’s the popular thing to do. Seeing everyone’s proposals and engagements on your social media feed doesn’t help the matter. All my friends are getting married, why should I be left behind? Peer pressure is so great at certain times in life that it can dull or blind your focus; some even become delinquent or irresponsible in certain areas of life such as school, work, ministry or family life. Far too many have impulsively run off to get married on a dare, or because others were doing it.

Hasty decisions can generate a life-time of bitter experiences. Marriage should not be entered into carelessly!

How can a single man or woman overcome this pressure? 

a. By seeking to please God. 
Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. (1 Thessalonians 4:1)

Getting married because your friends are getting married might be exciting but it can be short-lived. Before thinking of how your friends will react or seeking to fit in, be concerned with what God thinks. Is it His will? Are your motives pure? In all we do, especially marriage, we should seek to please God. 

b. By growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

With God, there is always more. More to learn, to discover, to embrace. Make spiritual maturity a priority, while you are single (and after too, of course). This will be a blessing for you and your future spouse.

c. By walking/associating with wise people.
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)

If your ‘friends’ are causing you to awaken love at a time when love should not be awakened, stop hanging out with them. We know that whoever we associate with we tend to become like and if we’re associating with people who are Christ-like, we’ll become wise. We know that wisdom tends to rub off so why not walk or associate with those who are wise, meaning Biblically wise. The only other choice is to suffer harm from being the companion of fools (or those who don’t have the Spirit of God).