Yes!

That was the question posed to me by my son while I was driving when he was still very young. I told him how I first met her mother at Victory U-belt church, where she was heavily involved in the book table ministry at the time. I told him that I was so involved in the single professionals ministry that after more than four years of being close friends with her, I proposed to her, saying, “I love you, will you marry me?” which she responded, “Yes!”

What I said was a leap of faith because I didn’t have enough money to put towards our wedding preparations. However, because we want to be engaged for a year while preparing our wedding, the Lord has blessed us financially as a result of our faith. All of this is to avoid playing with our emotions and succumbing to temptation. This is our spiritual conviction. This is why, when I started courting her, I was already thinking of marriage.

I observed that many single people engage into romantic relationships with no intention of marrying yet. They’re most likely saving for their wedding and putting their relationship to the test to determine if it will work. This is what I refer to as a “emotional live-in,” where a variety of unfortunate things can occur. Be warned that if you do not guard your relationship, emotional intimacy may develop into sexual intimacy. The Bible defines sexual intimacy between two single persons as fornication. I encourage you both to wait for your wonderful wedding day before you enjoy this physical intimacy. I do not want to sound legalistic but I hope you observe purity and holiness during the years of your relationship while waiting for that day no matter how long. I hope you are spiritually strong enough to resist such temptations at all times.

However, if you can shorten your engagement period as a result of your years of close friendship, all the better. Keep in mind that the enemy’s temptation might come at any moment and in any place. Let us remain watchful against anything that will offend God’s Holy Spirit. We do not want to impart the same kind of spirit to our children. After all, our goal is also to raise the next godly generation. 

Your children will most likely inquire about your love tale as well. May you, too, have a God-honoring testimony to tell. Now, if something bad happened in the past, confess your sins and seek forgiveness from the Lord. He will undoubtedly forgive you of all your sins. He will also remove the guilt, shame, and condemnation that comes from the enemy, and strengthen you for the future. 

Lastly, make the decision to focus on being spiritually fruitful in your relationship rather than satisfying your fleshly nature.

Returning to my son’s inquiry, I asked him, “Why do you want to know?” “Oh, I also asked mum how you met her,” he said firmly. “Did we say the same thing?” I inquired of my wife. “Yes,” my wife answered with a smile.

Biblical References:

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30, ESV

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17, NIV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16, ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9, ESV

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, – 2 Thess. 3:7, ESV

However, if you cannot control your desires, you should get married. It is better for you to marry than to burn with sexual desire. – 1 Corinthians 7:9, GW

Jun Divierte ©2021