Pastor Faith Oyedepo: Right Character for Right Marriage

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Right Character for Right Marriage

Dear Reader,

Happy Easter to you in Jesus’ Name! When Jesus rose from the dead, it was a time of joy for His disciples. They had seen the fulfilment of prophecy. Their long-awaited dreams had come to pass at last. That shall be your portion this Easter season, in Jesus’ Name.

I am glad to inform you that God cares about you. He wants you and your family to succeed. Throughout this month, I will be taking you through a topic which I titled: Right Character for right marriage.

God wills that you succeed in your marital life, but there are vices you need to guard against. It is based on this that I will be pointing out some of these vices and how to combat them, in order to reap the joy and blessings of marriage.

Many times as two grown up individuals matured in age and mind, ready for marriage, come together to start a family, there are deceptive thoughts that cross their minds, making them feel that marriage is the solution to all their problems.

A young girl with nagging parents and accommodation problems may feel it is an escape route from her troublesome circumstances. A lady with financial problems may feel marrying a rich man will solve her battle with the forces of poverty. To a man, he may feel marriage will solve his problem of having to get a cook or someone to clean the house or it will earn him that promotion he has been long awaiting for in his office. Besides, some believe that marriage will help them to solve their problems of irresponsibility. Despite these ideas, marriage does not automatically lift a man above the works of the flesh, “the vices of the flesh.” Yielding to the flesh or wrong attitudes account for the heartache many families are still experiencing in their homes today. The Scripture says: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like… (Galatians 5:19-21).

These character traits in the above scripture steal the peace and joy in a marriage. They also hinder family success. When you hear your would be spouse and say “Don’t worry, I’ll change when we get marriage” or “Things will get better when we are married” be cautious because in most cases it is not true. A well known man of God used to say, “A lizard in Nigeria will not become an alligator in America”. Whatever one’s character is before marriage, is what it will be after marriage. It is only by the transforming power of the Word of God that is able to cause positive changes in an individual, and this is only the resolute decision and input of the individual himself.

A popular adage says: “Action speaks louder than words” (2 Thessalonians 3:7). As a child of God, you should let your actions give glory to God and be an example for your family members to follow. Example, they say, is the best teacher.

Are you the kind of man who says, “I love you” to your wife now and the next minute you are found beating or raining curses on her? If so, your behaviour is in conflict with what you have said. Are you the kind of wife who keeps shouting abusive words at your husband? He’s watching all that you are doing and matching it with what you profess. Imagine someone who has just finished fighting in his apartment and a few minute after he carries his Bible to witness to someone else in that same apartment about the Lord Jesus Christ. He will never make any headway. He will be held up to ridicule.

Some people have a lot of charisma, but little character however, someone once said “Charisma without character equals crisis.” In homes, there is need for us to walk our talk, not just talk our walk. Proverbs 11:3 makes us to realize that there’s a reward for those who walk in integrity and integrity is what lends credence to your actions.

Integrity is what will help a wife to trust her husband in all his dealings. It is what makes the husband to trust his wife with money. The Scripture says: The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil (Proverbs 31:11). Believe me, you as an individual are the sole determinant of what type of actions you will be taking from this minute. The decision must be made by you and you must abide by it. However, God is able to inject into you the power you need to live a victorious life in your home, at work, with friends, and with family members.

To be wiser than God is to be the biggest fool. There is always a price to be paid for every anti-scriptural character that you exhibit. It is character that makes a successful home. So, if you desire success in your life and family, then build character that is rooted in the Word. A minister of the gospel says: “The Word of God is character-building.” It is right character that gives birth to right marriage.

If you desire the Lord Jesus to come into your life with transforming power, why not say this prayer:

“Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today as a sinner. Forgive me of my Sins. I believe You died and rose on the third day for my sins. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

If you prayed this simple prayer, you are 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).

Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, and conselling@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 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).

Click HERE to read other messages written by Pastor Faith Oyedepo