🌹🩷💛🧡One of the unique apostolic works of St. Paul is his teaching on the distinction between the married Christian and the unmarried Christian.
Apostle Paul makes it clear that their focuses, responsibilities, and worldly attachments differ. Please, let’s read what he wrote:
“32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:32-34).
Paul states that while the unmarried believer focuses completely on serving the Lord, the married Christian is different. The married Christian shares their attention between serving the Lord and taking care of their family. And this is indeed how it should be. “But why?” you may ask. Now, here’s why:
🌹🩷💛🧡MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
The marriage institution and the family which it births are both of God. It is never God’s will that anyone who has chosen marriage should be negligent of their spouse because of zeal for service in His house.
God recognises and approves of the diverse duties spouses owe each other and expects them to fulfil those duties. The house of God and the work therein must not be used as an excuse to be slack, inconsistent, or slothful in matrimonial responsibilities and obligations. Why? Because marriage and family are as important to God as the service of His house. In fact, the two belong to Him, and He actually instituted marriage and family first before establishing the Church. So He prioritises marriage and the family. And remember that it is marriage and family that provide members and workers for the churches.
🌹🩷💛🧡MARRIAGE PROTECTS GOD’S WORK
Furthermore, marriage is imperative to and protective of God’s service. This is why God requires the leaders in His workforce (bishops and deacons) to be married and to have godly families (1 Timothy 3:2-12).
🌹🩷💛🧡LIVING THE INCONGRUOUS “CELIBO-MARRIED” LIFE
Unfortunately, one of the things troubling marriages today is zealot spouses (including preachers of various ranks) who are trying so hard to live a “mixed life” as a result of zeal without knowledge. These fanatical spouses are eagerly trying to live the celibate life while at the same time being married. God has at no time demanded such from anyone. It is actually an abnormality.
Marriage and family life have never been, are not, and will never be obstructions to excellence in divine service or true spiritual life. Abraham was married, and he was a successful patriarch and prophet. Moses was married, and he was a successful prophet, deliverer, and lawgiver. Joshua was married and successfully conquered the promised land and divided it among God’s people. So also were Samuel the prophet and David the prophet, psalmist, soldier, and king. Being fully married never made them less successful in their spiritual assignments.
🌹🩷💛🧡UNMOVEABLE AND ABOUNDING…
It is true that God’s Word commands us to be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). Go on and do so, but don’t be negligent of your spouse and family.
And let me tell you point-blank: don’t think that you need to reduce sexual intimacy, romance, affection, companionship with your spouse, and all the other beautiful components of marriage in order to be MORE spiritual.
🌹🩷💛🧡THE CELIBATE PEOPLE YOU ADMIRE
There’s nothing wrong with admiring the great life and labour of a celibate preacher like Apostle Paul and desiring to be as IMPACTFUL as he was. But it will help you to know this: God doesn’t want to replicate St. Paul in you. Why? Because He always wants Originals. Not immitations or “copies”. Therefore strive to be the best version of YOURSELF!
Another person some admire is Anna (Luke 2:36-37), who dedicated herself to serving the Lord with prayers and fasting. But also remember that she was a widow. That is why she could live permanently in the temple and serve God with fastings and prayers ceaselessly.
But as for you who is a married woman and have a red-blooded, sex-guzzling husband in your life, you dare not abandon your man and offspring at home and lock yourself up in church for days or weeks because you are zealous. That is fanaticism. Except, of course, if you have your husband’s express permission and consent. But if you don’t, never try it. If you do, you might be handing your marriage and home over to the devil by that defiant act.🌹
💕❤️ Tonight’s Bedroom Assignment:
Reread this devotional together just before bedtime and discuss it with an open and sincere heart.
📚📖✒️ Quotes For Reflection:
“No alcoholic gets drunk by taking one teaspoonful of beer once a day. They get drunk by consuming several bottles of beer. Similarly, “consume” much of each other every day.”(Anselm Ahman. Lovebirds’ Devotional, June 11, 2026)
✝️ Altar Call:
Jesus Christ is calling you! Come to Him today and be saved! Hell is real and so also is Heaven. Believe in Jesus Christ today and be saved from spending eternity in Hell.
🌡️⚗️ Scientific Info To Boost Your Marriage:
“Studies have linked daily apple consumption to improved vaginal lubrication, better orgasms, and overall better sexual function in women”
🎸🎷🪘 Anointed Music Section