HAPPINESS IN MARRIAGE

Those living together as husband and wife should make sure  that their marriage  has been properly registered with the civil authorities.  (Mark 12:17)  They also need to view wedlock as a serious responsibility.  True, separation might become necessary in cases of willful nonsupport, extreme abuse, or  the endangerment of spirituality. ( 1 Timothy 5:8; Galatians 5:19-21)  But the apostle  Paul's words at 1 Corinthians 7:10-17 encourage marriage mates to stay together.  For true happiness, of course, they must be faithful to each other. Paul wrote: "Let marriage be honorable among all, and the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge fornicators and adulterers."  (Hebrews 13:4)  The term "marriage bed" denotes sexual intercourse between a man and woman legally married to each other.  Other sexual relationship, such as marriage to more than one wife, can be described as "honorable among all."  Moreover, the Bible condemns  premarital intercourse and homosexuality. -Romans 1:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:18. 

Fornication may bring a few moments of physical pleasure, but it does not result in true happiness.  It displeases God and can scar the person's conscience.  (1Thessalonians 4:3-5 ) The sad consequences of illegitimate sex  may be AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.  "It has been estimated  that 250 million people worldwide are infected annually with gonorrhoea, and about 50 million with syphilis," states one medical report.  There is also the problem of unwanted pregnancies.  The International Planned Parenthood Federation reports that, around the world more than 15 million  girls between 15 and 19 become pregnant each year, and a third of them have abortions. A study showed that in one African country, abortion complications result in 72 percent of all deaths among teenage girls.  Some fornicators may escape disease and pregnancy but not emotional damage.  Many lose their self-respect and even hate themselves.

Although adultery may be forgiven, it is a valid Scriptural basis for divorce on the part of the innocent mate.  ( Matthew 5:32, compare Hosea 3:1-5).  When such immorality results in the breakup of a marriage, this may leave deep emotional scars on the innocent mate and on the children.  For the good of the human family, God's Word  points out that his adverse judgment will come upon unrepentant fornicators and adulterers.  Moreover, it clearly shows that those who practice sexual immorality "will not inherit God's Kingdom." - Galatians 5:19, 21.

Next time: "NO PART OF THE WORLD"

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995