Today’s message
Read and reflect
Introduction
Marriage is one of God’s beautiful ideas. It was not invented by village elders, romantic movies, or wedding decorators. It came from God Himself. That is why Proverbs 18:22 says, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.”
But hear this beloved: favour may bring people together, but character keeps them together. Beauty can open the door, money can rent the hall, grammar can impress the in-laws, but only godly character can sustain the home.
A marriage without character is like jollof rice without salt: it may look attractive from afar, but one spoon will reveal the truth. Proverbs 12:4 says, “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband.” Proverbs 31:10 also reminds us that a virtuous woman is worth more than rubies. In other words, good character is not cheap; it is kingdom gold.
1. The Fear of God Must Rule the Home
Proverbs 31:30 says, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”
The fear of God is the foundation of a healthy marriage. When husband and wife fear God, they will not use each other like emotional punching bags. A man who fears God will not betray his wife. A woman who fears God will not dishonour her husband. Both will remember that marriage is not a comedy stage for pride, but a covenant before God.
When God is feared in the home, peace will not be a visitor; it will become a resident.
2. Humility Is Better Than Winning Arguments
Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Some people do not want peace; they want to win every argument. They will argue from morning till night, then still add “and another thing!” at midnight. Beloved, marriage is not a courtroom where husband and wife must always prove who is right.
Humility is not weakness. Submission is not slavery. It is strength under the government of love. A wise spouse knows when to speak, when to be quiet, and when to say, “I am sorry,” even when the ego is wearing agbada.
It is better to win your spouse than to win a quarrel and lose the atmosphere of peace.
3. Respect Is the Oil of Marital Joy
1 Peter 3:7 teaches husbands to honour their wives, and wives also to walk in godly respect.
Respect is powerful. It makes love feel safe. Disrespect, on the other hand, can wound deeply. Some words are like nails: even when removed, the mark remains.
Do not insult your spouse because you are angry. Do not use private weakness as public announcement. Do not reduce your partner with your tongue and later expect romance to rise like morning devotion.
Speak with honour. Correct with wisdom. Disagree without disgrace.
4. Apology Builds What Pride Destroys
Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”
A good apology can repair what pride is trying to scatter. “I am sorry” is not a funeral song; nobody dies by saying it. In fact, many marriages are suffering because two adults are waiting for one another to behave like Christ first.
Pride says, “I must prove my point.” Wisdom says, “Let peace live here.”
Do not allow stubbornness to become the third person in your marriage.
5. Support Each Other, Don’t Compete
Marriage is not a wrestling match. Husband and wife are not opposition parties. God designed marriage for partnership, not competition.
Where one is weak, the other may be strong. Where one sees danger, the other may see opportunity. Where one carries vision, the other may carry stability. Celebrate your spouse’s grace instead of feeling threatened by it.
A blessed marriage is not built by two people fighting for the crown, but by two people helping each other fulfil destiny.
6. Let Love Be Sincere and Unbiased
Proverbs 15:17 says, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.”
It is better to eat simple food with peace than to eat fried rice with silent malice. Love must not be seasonal. It must not appear only when salary enters or disappear when bills arrive.
True love forgives. True love sacrifices. True love does not keep a notebook titled “All Your Offences Since 2017.”
Let love breathe in your marriage. Let bitterness expire. Let kindness return.
How to Sustain God’s Favour in Marriage
Put God first. Matthew 6:33 says we should seek first the kingdom of God. When God is first, material things will not become idols in the home.
Pray together. A praying couple builds spiritual security around the marriage. Prayer is not decoration; it is protection.
Flee sin. Hidden sin weakens open favour. Anything that separates you from God can also poison your marriage.
Avoid strange men and strange women. Proverbs 5 warns against the path of adultery. Infidelity is not enjoyment; it is fire wearing perfume.
Forgive one another. Colossians 3:13 commands us to forgive. No marriage survives without mercy.
Trust one another. Love does not build its house on suspicion. Suspicion turns every phone call into a court case and every delay into an investigation.
Let Christ lead. Proverbs 3:5–6 says we should trust in the Lord with all our heart. A marriage led by Christ will not be controlled by pride, lust, fear, or worldly pressure.
Conclusion
Marriage is not only about finding favour; it is about sustaining favour through godly character. Beauty may attract, money may assist, eloquence may impress, but character keeps the covenant alive.
When husband and wife fear God, respect each other, forgive quickly, pray sincerely, love deeply, and allow Christ to lead, their marriage becomes more than a union. It becomes a testimony.
Marriage is one of God’s beautiful ideas. It was not invented by village elders, romantic movies, or wedding decorators. It came from God Himself. That is why Proverbs 18:22 says, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.”
But hear this beloved: favour may bring people together, but character keeps them together. Beauty can open the door, money can rent the hall, grammar can impress the in-laws, but only godly character can sustain the home.
A marriage without character is like jollof rice without salt: it may look attractive from afar, but one spoon will reveal the truth. Proverbs 12:4 says, “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband.” Proverbs 31:10 also reminds us that a virtuous woman is worth more than rubies. In other words, good character is not cheap; it is kingdom gold.
1. The Fear of God Must Rule the Home
Proverbs 31:30 says, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”
The fear of God is the foundation of a healthy marriage. When husband and wife fear God, they will not use each other like emotional punching bags. A man who fears God will not betray his wife. A woman who fears God will not dishonour her husband. Both will remember that marriage is not a comedy stage for pride, but a covenant before God.
When God is feared in the home, peace will not be a visitor; it will become a resident.
2. Humility Is Better Than Winning Arguments
Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Some people do not want peace; they want to win every argument. They will argue from morning till night, then still add “and another thing!” at midnight. Beloved, marriage is not a courtroom where husband and wife must always prove who is right.
Humility is not weakness. Submission is not slavery. It is strength under the government of love. A wise spouse knows when to speak, when to be quiet, and when to say, “I am sorry,” even when the ego is wearing agbada.
It is better to win your spouse than to win a quarrel and lose the atmosphere of peace.
3. Respect Is the Oil of Marital Joy
1 Peter 3:7 teaches husbands to honour their wives, and wives also to walk in godly respect.
Respect is powerful. It makes love feel safe. Disrespect, on the other hand, can wound deeply. Some words are like nails: even when removed, the mark remains.
Do not insult your spouse because you are angry. Do not use private weakness as public announcement. Do not reduce your partner with your tongue and later expect romance to rise like morning devotion.
Speak with honour. Correct with wisdom. Disagree without disgrace.
4. Apology Builds What Pride Destroys
Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”
A good apology can repair what pride is trying to scatter. “I am sorry” is not a funeral song; nobody dies by saying it. In fact, many marriages are suffering because two adults are waiting for one another to behave like Christ first.
Pride says, “I must prove my point.” Wisdom says, “Let peace live here.”
Do not allow stubbornness to become the third person in your marriage.
5. Support Each Other, Don’t Compete
Marriage is not a wrestling match. Husband and wife are not opposition parties. God designed marriage for partnership, not competition.
Where one is weak, the other may be strong. Where one sees danger, the other may see opportunity. Where one carries vision, the other may carry stability. Celebrate your spouse’s grace instead of feeling threatened by it.
A blessed marriage is not built by two people fighting for the crown, but by two people helping each other fulfil destiny.
6. Let Love Be Sincere and Unbiased
Proverbs 15:17 says, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.”
It is better to eat simple food with peace than to eat fried rice with silent malice. Love must not be seasonal. It must not appear only when salary enters or disappear when bills arrive.
True love forgives. True love sacrifices. True love does not keep a notebook titled “All Your Offences Since 2017.”
Let love breathe in your marriage. Let bitterness expire. Let kindness return.
How to Sustain God’s Favour in Marriage
Put God first. Matthew 6:33 says we should seek first the kingdom of God. When God is first, material things will not become idols in the home.
Pray together. A praying couple builds spiritual security around the marriage. Prayer is not decoration; it is protection.
Flee sin. Hidden sin weakens open favour. Anything that separates you from God can also poison your marriage.
Avoid strange men and strange women. Proverbs 5 warns against the path of adultery. Infidelity is not enjoyment; it is fire wearing perfume.
Forgive one another. Colossians 3:13 commands us to forgive. No marriage survives without mercy.
Trust one another. Love does not build its house on suspicion. Suspicion turns every phone call into a court case and every delay into an investigation.
Let Christ lead. Proverbs 3:5–6 says we should trust in the Lord with all our heart. A marriage led by Christ will not be controlled by pride, lust, fear, or worldly pressure.
Conclusion
Marriage is not only about finding favour; it is about sustaining favour through godly character. Beauty may attract, money may assist, eloquence may impress, but character keeps the covenant alive.
When husband and wife fear God, respect each other, forgive quickly, pray sincerely, love deeply, and allow Christ to lead, their marriage becomes more than a union. It becomes a testimony.
Reflection
Food for Thought
Favour may bring marriage, but character sustains the blessing.
Favour may bring marriage, but character sustains the blessing.
Prayer
Prayer
Lord, help me to carry good character into my marriage and daily relationships. Remove pride, bitterness, suspicion, and selfishness from my heart. Let my home enjoy Your favour, peace, love, and divine presence in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Lord, help me to carry good character into my marriage and daily relationships. Remove pride, bitterness, suspicion, and selfishness from my heart. Let my home enjoy Your favour, peace, love, and divine presence in Jesus’ name. Amen.