5 Key Indicators Of God’s Voice In Choosing A Life Partner
The journey towards finding a companion goes beyond ordinary compatibility or personal interest and has a lot to do with spirituality. Lots of individuals seek direction and guidance from their faith in their pursuit of a life partner, with a desire to discern the voice of God over this important aspect of their lives.
Gideon, a young Christian, vibrant, zealous, with deep faith in Jesus Christ found himself at a crossroads in his journey towards marriage. He is convinced the plan of God for his life has a lot to do with getting a compatible life partner and he earnestly desires divine guidance. After several weeks and months of prayer and waiting on God, he met Elizabeth, a beautiful, calm, and genuine woman. Both shared similar dreams, values, and a commitment to serving God.
Despite this connection, Gideon still desires to hear from God, he wants an assurance that Elizabeth was indeed the one chosen for him by God. He therefore turned to prayer and sought wisdom from godly counselors and mentors. As he was studying the scripture, one evening, he stumbled upon a passage from the book of Proverbs 3:5-6 which instructs believers to trust in the Lord with all their hearts and not lean on their understanding. The latter part of that passage also tells believers to acknowledge God in all their ways and He will direct their paths.
As a result of the light he caught from this scriptural passage, Gideon decided to lean on God and trust Him wholeheartedly, surrendering his doubts. As he travailed in prayer, his bonds with Elizabeth grew stronger, and their relationship deepened. As both of them faced diverse challenges together, they celebrated victories over the challenges. Gideon’s faith continued to be on the increase, and to him, this affirms that Elizabeth indeed was a blessing from God. Gideon discovered in the end that Elizabeth was a genuine partner in God’s plan for his life. Therefore, it is important to trust God throughout the journey of a relationship and not only in the initial stage.
Psalms 37:4 encourages us to take delight in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our heart. In Genesis 24, Abraham, the Father of Isaac gave his servant the responsibility of finding a suitable wife for his son (Isaac) from their relatives in Mesopotamia. Through prayers, the servant sought divine intervention. He prayed at a well in Nahor and asked God for a sign and before he finished praying in Genesis 34:15, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. The same sign the servant asked in prayer. The servant’s act emphasizes the importance of prayer and faith in God’s divine intervention in bringing together two persons in a marriage that aligns with God’s will and plan.
This article will look into 5 Key Indicators of God’s Voice in Choosing a Life Partner.
1. Peace From Within
2. Scriptural Alignment
3. Common Spiritual Goals
4. Selflessness and Sacrificial Love
5. Stable Character
1. Peace From Within
I have listened to several teachings on marriage and I have heard Ministers emphasizing peace as one of the key indicators of God’s voice. The Bible speaks of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, among these fruits is peace. Now, how well can you know if God is speaking to you? It’s most often through your settled and peaceful mind. God is a God of peace and dwells where there is love, unity, and oneness. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
This gives us an idea of the kind of mind that God communicates to— the peaceful mind. The mind through which God communicates his will to you about your life partner must be peaceful and focused on Him. Wherever there is fear, confusion, and chaos, the presence of God is not there. Therefore, if a relationship is lacking peace, it’s not the will of God, don’t try to make it work forcefully.
2. Scriptural Alignment
As an individual waiting on God’s word to speak into your relationship, there is a need to get clarity and confirmation through the scripture. Praying shows you are exercising your faith in God, relying on Him to guide and direct you. After praying, devote much time to studying the Bible to hear from God, because He also speaks to us through His words. The unfolding of His words gives life (Psalms 119:130). His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our paths (Psalms 119:105). The word of God is there to guide and lead us. If you have waited on Him prayerfully, settle in His presence as you study His word, He will surely guide you. He will never mislead you.
3. Common Spiritual Goals
Do you share similar spiritual goals? To be convinced a particular person is God’s will for you, both of you must share a common spiritual goal. You must be united in faith. Several marriages fail today because couples do not share the same spiritual goals. Marriage with an unbeliever is never God’s intention for you. He gives good things (Matthew 7:9-11). Marriage with Delilah was never God’s will for Samson (Judges 16:4-21). He disobeyed God and his parents. He got blinded by the deceitful love Delilah has for him. Both do not share common spiritual goals and do not serve the same God.
Delilah ended up destroying his relationship with God and Samson failed at the end. Amos 3:3 talks about agreement. Two persons can not walk together without an agreement, both Spiritually and Physically. The Bible warns believers not to be equally yoked together with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). No fellowship should exist between light and darkness. Prayer is not required to change the individual because Delilah was on an evil mission to destroy Samson’s life, rather, having a proper understanding of God’s intention and will. It is not God’s will that we become equally yoked together with an unbeliever. He will not give you a go-ahead.
4. Selflessness and Sacrificial Love
Selflessness and Sacrificial Love are attributes exhibited by our Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 3:16). He laid down His life for us, what a great love! Check if the brother or the sister you intend to marry is selfless and loves you and others. Marriage is a ministry, and for ministry to grow, the overseer must be like Jesus the Shepherd, to the Sheep, the congregation. The Bible instructs women to submit to their husbands while men should love their wives (Ephesians 5:22-33).
This tells us that both must be willing to let go of everything that can make the marriage unhealthy. Both must be ready to forget themselves and embrace sacrifice. Philippians 2:3-4 emphasizes the need for individuals not to do anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, rather, in humility, we should value others above ourselves, not looking at our interests but the interest of others. Is that brother or sister exhibiting this? If he/she does, he/she will be a good representative of Christ in the home.
5. Stable Character
As much as you desire to hear God and know His will over your choice of spouse, there is a need to also check the character of that individual. A lot of people ignored red flags and ended up regretting it. A stable and consistent character is important. Is he/she hot-tempered today and cold tomorrow? Is he/she tolerant? Is he/she genuine and not pretentious? Check for all of these and many more. Be truthful to yourself.
A suitable spouse will be steadfast, committed to godly virtues, and will walk with God consistently. Proverbs 20:11 says little children are known by their actions. The kind of fruits he/she bears shows who he/she truly is Matthew 7:16-20. Any partner who sets a good example for believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, aligns with God’s will.
In Conclusion, I implore you to traverse the path of choosing a life partner with these divine guideposts. Trust in the wisdom of God’s word which serves as a light that guides us towards relationships that esteem God, and fulfill His plans and purpose for our lives. May this guide be a testimony to the profound impact of the scripture on choosing partners that align with God’s will for you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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