The Christian Must Be Very Careful in All Areas of Life Eph 5:15 “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (KJV) Translated “diligently” (Matt. 2:8; Acts 18:25) Translated “perfect” (Luke 1:3; 1 Thess. 5:2) Thayer: “exactly, accurately, diligently” “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise” (NIV)

The Christian Must Be Very Careful in All Areas of Life WorshipMorals Friendships How Study How Treat Others PersonalGodliness WhoMarry WhoMarry

Who One Marries Makes A Difference Exo. 34: Don’t marry people of land Deut. 7:3-4 - Don’t marry people of land Ezra Married people of land  Identified problem as sin (9:2,10,11,13; 10:10)  Told to separate from those wives (10:11)  People said “...we must do” (10:12) Neh. 13: Solomon’s wives caused him to sin Mark 6: Herod told his marriage not lawful 1 Pet. 3:1-7 - Wife concerned about husband

If Must Be Careful Who We Marry Then, Careful Who We Date! Those Who Date Become Those Who Marry

Careful Who You Marry I. Marriage is Permanent

Permanence of Marriage 1. One man for one woman 2. Must Cleave 3. One Flesh 4. God has joined them together Matt. 19: Do not depart (10) 2. Not divorce (11) 3. Not divorce (12) 4. Not divorce (13) 1 Cor. 7:10-13 One Exception One Exception: Divorce for Fornication Matt. 5:32 Matt. 19:9

Permanence of Marriage 1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. Romans 7:1-2

Careful Who You Marry I. Marriage is Permanent II. This is the Closest Relationship

One Flesh Gen. 2:24 Mt. 19:5-6 Eph. 5:31 “A man’s children are pieces of himself; but a man’s wife is himself” - Matthew Henry Closer than Parent / Child Command to dwell together (1 Pet. 3:7) 1 Cor. 6:16 Marriage involves a blending of personalities

Careful Who You Marry I. Marriage is Permanent II. This is the Closest Relationship III. Mate Will Influence You

Influence Each Other Only natural since: Only natural since: They are so close They are so close He loves her (Eph. 5:25ff) He loves her (Eph. 5:25ff) She loves & reverences him (Eph. 5:33; Tit. 2:4) She loves & reverences him (Eph. 5:33; Tit. 2:4)

Influence Each Other Exo. 34: “and make your sons play the harlot” Exo. 34: “and make your sons play the harlot” Deut. 7:3-4 - “will turn your sons away from following Me” Deut. 7:3-4 - “will turn your sons away from following Me” Neh. 13: Solomon’s wives caused him to sin Neh. 13: Solomon’s wives caused him to sin

Careful Who You Marry I. Marriage is Permanent II. This is the Closest Relationship III. Mate Will Influence You IV. Parent to your Children

Responsible for training children Eph 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ezek 16:44 'Like mother, like daughter!' A Parent To Your Children Example to your children

Careful Who You Marry I. Marriage is Permanent II. This is the Closest Relationship III. Mate Will Influence You IV. Parent to your Children V. May not have a Right to Marry

One whose mate is dead (Rom. 7:2-3) One who - never married (Matt. 19:5-6) One who put mate away for fornication (Matt. 5:32; 19:9)

Matt 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Matt 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Adultery Marry You (have a right) Another (Not have a right) “...and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”

One whose mate is dead (Rom. 7:2-3) One who - never married (Matt. 19:5-6) One who put mate away for fornication (Matt. 5:32; 19:9)

Careful Who You Marry I. Marriage is Permanent II. This is the Closest Relationship III. Mate Will Influence You IV. Parent to your Children V. May not have a Right to Marry