Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Maintaining Spiritual Fervency in Marriage (Part 3) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Maintaining Spiritual Fervency in Marriage (Part 3)

Dear Reader,

Peace and blessings, in the precious name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I welcome you to another interesting edition of these teaching series. Most Christians often make the mistake of paying so much attention to the physical man at the expense of the real (spiritual) man. God expects you and your family to be stronger spiritually than you were last year. For you and your family to enjoy the manifestations that God has promised you, you must accept the responsibility by laying a strong spiritual foundation. It is your spirituality that determines the level of God’s blessings that come to your direction. God cannot give you His blessings beyond your spiritual capacity. God’s Word says: And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel (Luke 1:80). There are certain things that belong to you that may not be given to you until you have grown.

The blessings your family enjoys shouldn’t keep you away from God or the blessing could be turned to a curse. All you need to do is to believe God for better time management. There is a way to maximise your day God’s way, thus ensuring that nothing suffers – not your walk with God and not your family. God’s Word says: …Walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). However, the Holy Spirit is available to give you the wisdom to plan your day. Sit down after a time of prayer; write out the things you need to do each day. Then, write them out in order of priority and allot time to them. After this, you may also need to think of time-saving devices, such as washing and ironing clothes you would need for the week in advance.

Also Read: The Victorious Family (Part 2) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo

I have been married for more than three decades now and blessed with children. Yet, I am full of zeal in the service of the Lord. I face each day with a new determination to climb higher. The secret is that I embraced the truth of God’s Word that makes it clear that when you enter into marriage the Bible way, God expects that you become stronger spiritually than previously. In spiritual warfare, if one chases a thousand, two (husband and wife) in marriage now has the capacity to put ten thousand to flight (Deut. 32:30). This implies greater fervour spiritually (Proverbs 27:17).

Couples are meant to complement one another. When one is weak, the other lifts him/her up. When one is straying or fainting in the things of God, the other strengthens and prayerfully restores him/her. When the children are brought up on godly principles, they are protected and guarded against the evil ways of the world. The man who is the head of the home protects his wife and children from all harm and ensures that they are shielded emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically from all the strategies of the devil. Ecclesiastes 4:10 says: For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Thus, God requires every member of the family to fear Him, walk in His ways and love Him. As a man and the head of the home, on whom rests the responsibility of ensuring a godly and a spiritually strong family, to God’s glory, are you ready to meet with the requirement that God expects of you?

The Fear of the Lord

Do you have the fear of the Lord? Do you teach your children the same? As a wife and mother or as a husband and father, do you have the fear of God? Do you have time to seek out of the book of the law to know God’s requirement for you and those God has put in your care? You must get your priorities right this year if you are to actually see and enjoy the full-scale manifestations that God has promised His children. It is not for the butter and bread seeking Christians, but rather for those who will care to live by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

‘Fear’ in this context is not talking about being afraid. Rather, it connotes respect and reverence to God and His Word. Whatever He says, let it be your guiding principle, this year and beyond. As a man, and the head in the home, if you will walk in the understanding that you have a Head (God), who watches over you, and your doings, you will hold Him in reverence and respect. Whatever He tells you to do, you will do it without questions or grumbling. As the wife, even though you have your husband as the head, you know that, ultimately, God is your head; you will hold His commandments in awe.

Rather than seeing yourself as being subjected to your husband only, you see yourself as obeying the commandment of God through your husband, thereby reverencing God and His Word. This is the fear of the Lord. As you do this, your children watch and learn from you. Secretly, they are proud to have a God-fearing woman as their own mother, and they, in turn, learn to obey God and keep His Word.

If you really fear God, it will show in your attitude and character. When He says, turn to the right, you don’t turn to the left. When He commands you to wait, you don’t get impatient and move. God’s Word says: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth (Deuteronomy 28:1). Therefore, obeying the commandments of God is proof that you love Him. God’s Word says: If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). If you say you love God, you must keep His commandment. This is the first commandment, and God reiterates it here, that He requires your love. Love God in all your doings, towards your spouse, children and all around you. God does not only require you to fear, love and walk with Him, He also requires you to serve Him wholeheartedly. How? With your heart, means (finance) and time. You can’t genuinely serve somebody you don’t love. When your love is in place for God, you will willingly serve Him with your being.

The grace required to fear, serve and love God is only available when you surrender your life to Christ. This is by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily; obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21). With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

“Please click HERE to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.