Marriage

It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him, Gen. 2:18.

All the reasons one can list as an advantage in marriage are boiled down to these two, companionship and help.

The disadvantages are brought on by sin, the law of which dwells in the members of all.

Disadvantages...........................Advantages
Nothing is for myself......................All I do is for someone else

I LOVE being married. :thumbs:

 

I'm going to assume the one who started this thread is thinking about marriage. It is not without cause we are generally warned that it is an institution not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly. Here are some practical guidelines to help you.

For the first marriage (Adam to Eve) God created a helper suitable to him. Not any woman is suitable. Who can find a virtuous woman?

1. She must be a mature Christian who believes like you in all things. A tall order, I know, but you're charged with being her spiritual head, and if she can't let your doctrinal positions in all things prevail without reservation, you will find it impossible to lead.

2. God gave Adam a job to do, and created Eve to help him do that job. I would advise you to already be well advanced in your life's work before you think of taking a mate. I don't mean you have to be a vice president somewhere, but you need to be on the boat well away from the shore. Port floozies are a dime a dozen (and not very sanitary at that).

3. If one member of either set of parents or guardians is against the union, don't do it. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. I've asked every divorcee I know if one of the parents from either set (saved or not) expressed reservations about the pending union. I've never received a negative response. It isn't that the parents (Christian or not, kind or froward) have extraordinary insight, though they do contain a wisdom born of pain, it's that God is sovereign, and He will lead you according to His commandments.

If you follow these three pieces of advice, you will avoid many of the pitfalls that have troubled and ended many, many marriages.

 

Along wih what others have said, here are mine:

1. I am a better man since being married
2. I am a better Christian since being married
3. I am a better pastor since being married

The worst part is that I now have to pick up my clothes and have to clean up even on my day off.:laugh:

 

When you get much older, you will appreciate even more a loving mate. I always tell young people seeking marriage that one must first "like" their mate. Love will grow with you.

Cheers,

Jim

 

It's a joy to be with someone who knows you very well and very deeply and still loves you.

 

Of course there are cons, but the pros far outweigh them when you have the right mate.

Or, I agree with Ann.

 

First and foremost be certain that God is the head of the house-hold - for both of you!!!!!!!!!!

Second, accept the fact that both of you will change as time progresses; neither a good nor bad fact - it just IS!!!

Third, do not ever, EVER, EVER, belittle your spouse to others. If you can't build him/her up -- keep quiet!

Fourth, focus on the positives of your mate and never, NEVER, NEVER the negatives.

I have caught myself griping about some characteristic of my wife in the past, only to be reminded (mentally) of my own shortcomings, and then I just thank God that she puts up with me.

Aggravating? Yes!
Frustrating? Yes
But, with no doubts whatsoever, well worth it, if you have that special one that fills that "mate" gap that God created in you!!!

Conversely, If you let your hormones alone, sans God's leading, make the decision for you, there is a great chance that you will have just created your own private hell-on-earth.

 

when you love someone those cons really don't mean anything, theyahve no importance, your spouse is far more important then the cons.
like anne's raised toilet seat and gassy husband(maybe he's my hubby's brother?)
and a great list of pros.

 

To me, the pros are so much more better that the cons sort of fade into the background.

Yes, time is no longer just your own, or money or freedom, but the trade off is worth everything.

 

Money or lack of is not a disadvantage, probably helps sometimes, but plays no part in it for us. What about time? What about freedom?
Freedom to do what we want? We do what we want, we want to be together.
No they are not an issue for us. Money just isn't that important.

 

If you are worried about your money, time, and freedom, you really do not sound like you are ready to be married.

I think it is very important to take your time and really get to know your potential spouse before getting married. You must have the same values and goals. If you take your religious life very seriously and want to serve God, but your potential mate does not, you are going to run into problems. If you are a very frugal person but your potential spouse loves to spend money, you are going to have problems. If you like to go fishing every day after work for four hours, but your potential spouse likes to spend time at home together, you are going to have problems.

So, if I had to give advice, my advice would be to take the time to really get to know your potential spouse. As someone else said, you have to be friends. That is very, very true.

But of this you can be sure, when you get married you will share your money, time, and freedom. :love2:

Edit- Another great little proverb that I believe every married person should know is:

NEVER MAJOR ON THE MINOR

When you've been married awhile you will come to realize how wise this proverb is.