The necessity of consulting your pastor before marriage: Responsibility of pastors to intending couples

When a child goes through the market and sees whatever he desires, he does not outrightly pluck it off. He runs off to inform his father on his latest discovery and his desire to possess it. The father then inspects the commodity if its suitable for his son's consumption or not;

Is this really good for my son's consumption?

Is it of any potential harm?

Is this befitting for his person?

Is this of any benefits to him?

Are there better options?

A young man/woman is like that child, (inexperienced, vulnerable and fragile) thus can be rather emotional(which is very deadly) than realistic in the choice for a life partner.

Well, you could very much run off with whomever you please and start a family together, but take time to consider;

Pro 24:6;15:22 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

The pastor and elders thus serves as scrutineers to make sure you dont regret your actions afterwards.

Considering there are differing traditions and circumstance.
A sect believes in total abstainance from the opposite sex and if by any means they develop likeness or feel led, they rush to the pastors office and relates the situation.

in relations to 1Co 7:1, 2 "...It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband".

Others believe in friendly relations, date nights and as extreme as late night parties.

As Christians however, such extremes are not the best as it could lead to sexual sin and mental defilement. "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright"-Heb 12:16

However, its quite needful seek consent from the pastor before approaching a lady for marriage.

Here are 5 reasons a young man needs to meets his pastor before approaching a lady he intends to marry;

1. Spiritual accountability (ears and eyes)

Pastors and elders act as better adapted spiritual eyes and ears to warn you against impending dangers and cheer you towards exploits and breakthrough as affections has its way of beclouding the eyes from what's right before a man, thus the phrase: "love is blind".
Asides these, not all really is as they appear to the eyes, there are deeper and darker motives to some casual coincidences, it is better to be well armed so you don't loose your teeth.

Eze 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel;
They are watchmen you see!

2. Spiritual hierarchy (Priesthood)

In the inception of Samuel's ministry, he could not differentiate the voice of God from that of his master Eli as related in 1Sa 3:8.
"And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child".

It took the trained senses of a priest to guard the young lad were to turn to, how to respond (in other words, how to position himself) for the full download of what heaven held in store.

No matter how knowledgeable a man can be, he cannot elude the place of a spiritual leadership in the confirmation of who he feels he's been led to.

3. Wisdom from accumulated experience.

Pastors are mostly experienced folks in matters such as marriage due countless counselling sessions and personal experience,

Ecc 9:14,15 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city...

There could be no better counsellor than an experienced and Holy ghost filled pastor. You could say he've seen it all, the good, the bad and the ugly so is easy to decipher what the likelihood of your choice of partner holds.

4. Indepth knowledge on relevant supportive scriptures.

There's almost no set of folks that knows the scriptures more than your pastors, and the bible been the greatest manual in a worthy hand can be the greatest favour you'll ever get.

Luk 24:2, John 5:3 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself; so thetefore. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:

the last and most essential benefit you stand to gain is;

5. Future Insurance.

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. When you're in your pastors heart, you're always in his prayers. When you're always in his prayers, your petitions are always before God. To insure your marriage for marital bliss it is thus greatly needful to confide in your pastor beforehand, during hand and after hand.

In case there be any issues arising, since he gave approval, it would be his responsibility as well to pray you into alignment with God's will.

Note:

Receiving your pastors consent is not a proof that it is the perfect will of God, neither does it alleviate challenges faced in marriage but rather confirms God's blessing for your marital bliss.
I'll be talking about this in my next blog.
Myth or yes: There's no such thing as perfect will

Thanks for your perusal,

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