Posts Tagged ‘marriage’
Must married couples have children?
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton! I hope this finds you well! I have a question and wanted to hear your thoughts on it. I don’t know of any verse that says Christians, if married, should have children. However, in I Timothy 5:14, Paul says he wants widows to bear children. Does that mean they have to?…
Read MoreDo I have to marry the man I committed fornication with?
Question: Hi. I am a born-again Christian woman. I have committed fornication with a younger man who is still in college and who is also a Christian. I have realized that it is wrong and repented since then, and I have not had any further sexual relationships with him. I have also avoided communicating with…
Read MoreWhy are the laws for remarriage different between the Old Law and New Law?
Question: If the marriage law is universal, why is the remarriage law in Deuteronomy 24 different from Romans 7:2 in that the guilty party who gets married to a second spouse can go back to his/her first husband? Answer: The two laws of God are different. “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I…
Read MoreHosea: A Leader Who Made an Astounding Sacrifice!
by Max Dawson One of the things I have learned about leadership is that sometimes, the best leaders are those who were reluctant to be leaders. Witness the case of Moses (Exodus 3:7-4:17). I have known men who were reluctant to serve as an overseer of the church, as a deacon, or even as a…
Read MoreMarital Needs
by Perry Hall In premarital counseling, I always ask what the number one need of a man fulfilled in marriage is, and what the number one need of a woman fulfilled in marriage is. Even when these couples are not religious, their own self-awareness teaches them the correct answer. When they say they don’t know,…
Read MoreDo marriages really end at death?
Question: Marriage vows say, “Until death, do we part,” is this the truth? If so, I am so sad about this. I need to understand. Though, I cannot find a definite answer. I know there are things that we are not to know. Also, I understand that I am human. I am searching for a…
Read MoreKindness and Generosity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Kindness-and-Generosity.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 58:1-12 I. I ran across an interesting article by Aemily Smith, originally published in The Atlantic, November 9, 2014. “Science Says Lasting Relationships Come Down to Two Basic Traits.” A. It was about what factors showed whether a relationship would survive or not. B. The basic factors were kindness and…
Read MoreWe can’t afford to get married
Question: I feel awful because I was reading a post from 2010 titled, “Should we marry now or when we are in a better financial situation? I feel the same way. The thing is, we are both 20. My boyfriend doesn’t have much money, and we have been together for over two years. What’s worse…
Read MoreMy husband hasn’t been the nicest to me lately
Question: Hello there, I just want to start off by saying I enjoy your website. Thank you for providing that for us. I am a Christian (member of the Church of Christ). My husband however is not. He started off as one and, well, just went back to his worldly ways. He is a good…
Read MoreDid I sin against my husband by not telling him when I was ovulating?
Question: If you feel like you may have sinned against your spouse years ago, but they don’t know about it, do you have to tell them now? I feel like I should give the backstory because no, it’s not adultery. We were going for our second baby and he wanted a boy and I wanted…
Read MoreNot Enslaved
by Matthew W. Bassford From time to time, I receive article requests from brethren who want me to address a particular topic. Sadly, my usual response to these requests is to forget that they have been made and never write about them. However, recently someone asked me about my views of “not enslaved” in 1…
Read MoreWhat if my husband becomes a non-believer?
Question: Hello Brother Jeffrey, I hope all has been well. The situation I face now is this: My husband and I are currently separated for several reasons (him mostly not wanting the marriage at the time). My husband was a baptized Christian in the church when we married. He was raised in the church. We got…
Read MoreWould God override someone’s free will to marry me?
Question: Hi, I have a question about me personally and the desire to marry. I’m a 33-year-old, virgin, born-again Christian. I had, years ago when I was in college, a moment with God. I asked God if this one girl I could date and I knew God spoke to me and said, “You have free…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a spouse to move back in with elderly parents to take care of them?
Question: Is a wife moving back in part-time (several days and nights per week) with her parents to provide care a violation of Ephesians 5:31? Her elderly parents will not accept paid help (strangers) in their home even though they can afford it and the arrangement could foreseeably be for months or possibly a couple…
Read MoreIs it a sin to marry an unbeliever?
Question: Please, I’d like you, sir, to answer this question. It’s also a problem that’s come into our congregation and I would like you to please explain to me what the scripture says about this. Our preacher is teaching us that it is a sin to marry an unbeliever. He interrupts everyone claiming to believe…
Read MoreDoes it matter who performs a wedding?
Question: Hello, My fiancé and I have planned a destination wedding. The wedding package we purchased has an officiant included. I mention this because the planner stated that they have their preferred vendors meaning we potentially cannot reach out to the local church and ask a minister to marry us. We are members of the…
Read MoreShould I marry my fiance, who is not a practicing Christian?
Question: Should I marry my fiancé? My fiancé and I have been dating for 7 years. I was 17 when I met him and living a worldly life (partying, drinking, smoking, cursing) I entered my relationship with my current fiancé because he answered this question: “Are you Christian?” and his answer was “yes.” He grew…
Read MoreIllogical Fixes to Problems
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Illogical-Fixes-to-Problems.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Samuel 8:1-8 I. For over 400 years, God ruled over the land of Israel. A. When the people became wicked, God sent in an enemy nation to conquer a portion of the land. B. When the people turned backed to God, he raised up a judge to lead the people…
Read MoreChallenges for the Year
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Challenges-for-the-Year.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 1:28-32 I. Toward the end of each year, people tend to review the year and record the trends that are evident A. I’ve been collecting several articles in the last few months dealing with moral trends B. We are not of the world, but we must live in it -…
Read MoreDoes “Setting Boundaries” apply to marriages?
Question: Good morning, I read “Setting Boundaries” and noticed how it’s applied to children. What if, and I say this will all do respect as I can as a wife, but what if I have a husband who acts like this? Do these principles still apply to a husband? This has to be the most…
Read MoreMarriage Counseling
by Matthew W. Bassford I’m a simple man. I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that it is sufficient to equip us for every good work. My favorite hymn is “Give Me the Bible”. Consequently, whenever I encounter a problem that afflicts the soul, I presume that the solution lies…
Read MoreCan you explain more about the need for parental consent before marriage?
Question: Greetings beloved in the Lord, I hope you’re waxing strong in the vineyard of our Lord and Master. In Africa, it is cultural to seek parental consent before marriage. But there are instances where this consent is denied for personal and immoral reasons. Can you avail me with materials that one can use to…
Read MoreShould I marry a man who is less educated than I am?
Question: Good evening, I need counsel. I am a 28-year-old African lady, a Christian with a degree in Nursing Science, and currently working as a Registered Nurse in my country. I have deliberately mentioned my African origin, education, and professional qualification because my concern is around this aspect. I was raised in a Christian home with…
Read MoreA Good Mate
A Good Mate – Part 1A Good Mate – Part 2A Good Mate – Part 3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 3:1-7 I. Introduction A. Many, if not most people, spend a fair chunk of their life trying to reach a decision regarding who they will marry B. Sadly, most leave this important choice to…
Read MoreMy mom is upset that I don’t spend as much time with her as my sister does
Question: Context before I ask my question: I have been married to my husband for about a year now and happily consider ourselves still very much newlyweds. The first time I moved out of my parents’ home was when I married my husband. I was in my twenties and was the last out of my…
Read MoreDo we need her father’s blessing?
Question: I bring you greetings, Please, sir, I have a pressing question that demands an urgent answer. I proposed to a girl and she accepted after praying about it. We both belong to one group in our church and according to the ethics of the group, every member of the group must attend an interview…
Read MoreIs It a Sin for Married Couples to Split the Bills?
Question: Hello sir, I know you are busy laboring for the Lord so I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I just want to thank you for your years of labor for the Lord and your website which is such a blessing to me as I study God’s word. To get…
Read MoreI don’t think I am worthy of getting married
Question: Greetings to my brother in Christ, I am grateful for the many lessons available on your website and have found guidance in many of the points and critical illumination of God’s word. I have been a member of the body of Christ from a young age. The men in my extended family for generations…
Read MoreWhere should I live?
Question: Hi, I found your question and answer page and have been reading sermons and many of the answers you have replied with. I am struggling with a problem that is weighing very heavy on my heart and mind. My husband and I currently are living in separate homes about 10 minutes apart. It has…
Read MoreIs a shotgun wedding or a wedding involving a lie valid?
Question: God bless brother. I have questions about marriage. If someone lies in order to get married does God acknowledges that marriage? A young man married a woman after three weeks of knowing each other. He has a severe ambivalent attachment disorder. She lied to him about her child from a previous relationship of being…
Read MoreI’m unsure if I’m married to my ex-boyfriend
Question: Good evening! I’ve been praying, reading the Word, and reading godly people’s commentary on this topic – but I am still confused. I’m unsure if I will ever receive a definitive answer, but I would really appreciate any Scriptural knowledge you could share. I basically am just unsure if I’m technically married to my…
Read MoreLove and Respect
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Love-and-Respect.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 5:25-33 I. There are some topics that are joined such that you cannot have one without the other. A. Faith and obedience are two sides the same subject. 1. You can’t really have faith without obedience – James 2:14-18 2. And you can’t really have obedience without faith – Romans 4:2-5…
Read MoreShould we marry after committing fornication?
Question: Good morning, I have a question. I am a Christian, growing in grace, I’m 26 years of age. I met a young Christian lady during the time I was asking the Lord who will go with me on this mission as a wife. When I saw her, my spirit agreed that she was the…
Read MoreMy husband doesn’t want more children
Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton! My husband told me more than once that we could have another child, but then he said he can’t psychologically take on the responsibilities of having another child. I’ve openly and honestly told him why I would like another child and that it was hurtful for him to break a promise…
Read MoreMan as the Head
by Doy Moyer Let’s start with this well-known statement: “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:23). The immediate thought seems to be that the man is where “the buck stops” in the home. This…
Read MoreWho gives permission to marry if your father isn’t around?
Question: Hello I’ve been having problems with what to do when it comes to my wedding next year. My parents and my fiancé’s parents have separated. According to our African customs, the father should be the one to give permission on whether we get married or not. He is also the one to receive the dowry.…
Read MoreDid the vows I made in my head marry me to someone else?
Question: Hi! Before I married the love of my life, I would read stories online where the reader would marry either a character or a real person in the stories. I cannot remember if any of these stories included vows that I may have read and given in my head as I read. I struggled…
Read MoreShould I stay with my husband or my children?
Question: Good morning brother Hamilton I don’t want to say I am a fan, but I learned a lot from the lessons, sermons, and questions and answers on the La Vista Church of Christ website, and I am still learning. Glory to God for such initiative. I am grateful for having such a platform where,…
Read MoreCan relatives of one family marry relatives of another family?
Question: Is it morally legal for a father, brother, and son to be interested in marriage with three unrelated females that just so happen to be a mother, sister, and daughter, related to each other, but not to the men? If not, which ones and why not? Answer: Though we are not under the Old…
Read MoreIf two people agree to be exclusive and committed before having sex, are they bound together for life?
Question: Is my ex married to the girl he is dating? I still love him and share a child with him. He admitted to having sexual relations with a girl. She said, before having sex with him, that she didn’t want to have sex unless they were exclusive and committed. Well, he basically agreed by…
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