December 19                                  Jer 30 - 32

PARENTAL CONSENT

MEMORISE: ‘And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.’ (Acts 2: 16)
READ: Genesis 24: 10- 20, 47- 61.

‘And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me’ (Gen 24: 39). As you continue to progress towards marriage, one of the most important steps is to get the consent of the parents on both sides of the family, even if it takes a long time. This should only happen after God has confirmed your choice, and after your pastor has found it to be of God.

Today, many people have sanctified a number of crucial steps leading up to marriage in the name of education. Some Christians do not think it is necessary to obtain the support or approval of the families. And where they meet with resistance, they head straight for the registry, without the families’ support. This defies Scripture, and boils down to stealing. It is written, ‘Thou shall not steal’ (Exod 20: 15). Marriage without the approval of your spouse’s parents or family amounts to stealing. Usually the couple will come under some curses that will make that union a perpetual nightmare.

A Yoruba man and Itsekiri woman waited seven years before they agreed that they had heard correctly from God about their union. The parents of the bride vehemently opposed giving their daughter to a Yoruba boy. The couple resolved to wait, even though the bride’s parents said the wedding would only be conducted over their dead bodies. To this their daughter replied that she would not require their consent after they were dead. The waiting began. They came to me ad I assured them that they were doing things according the Scripture. I also asked them to use prayer to combat any ethnic difference or other opposition that stood in their way. Because they were convinced that they were in God’s will, they persisted.

Be sure to obtain the consent of both the bride and the groom’s parents before heading for marriage, or with it comes their blessing. After ‘stealing’ a wife, some brothers believe that no curse pronounced by an unbelieving parent will stand. But they’re wrong. Since they’ve broken Scripture, they cannot be protected by it. Have you fallen into this trap? Repent immediately and make restitution to your parents and/or parents –in-law.

ACTION POINT
When last did you see your parents? Call or visit them and give them
a gift that will bring joy to their hearts.