In today's American culture where gender is questioned and same-sex marriages are relatively accepted as a norm, seeds of doubt about marriage are being planted in Christian minds. Consequently, some Christians may be wondering if God really said that only a man and woman could get married.
The serpent approached Eve in the Garden of Eden with a similar doubt-planting strategy (Genesis 3:1) saying: "Yea, hath God said," to get her to question if God really commanded Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The Devil's strategy hasn't changed. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 2:11, "we are not ignorant of his [the devil's] devices."
The continual coverage of same-sex marriages in the media and even certain churches blessing them creates a need for answers to this question.
In response to the doubt-engendering, same-sex marriage culture of today, Christians can look to the word of God for answers. The Bible is very clear on this matter: only men and women are to be married—becoming husband and wife.
1. God Created Man and Woman
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27).
Only two genders were created by God. The question involves only two types of people: male and female. From this, everything else flows.
2. God Ordained Marriage Between Males and Females
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24).
God commanded that the male be joined to his wife (the female). Traditionally, this means in marriage. The joining between man and woman as husband and wife goes as far back as the beginning with Adam and Eve. It's God's design for mankind.
3. It Is Reinforced in the New Testament
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it (Ephesians 5:25).
In the New Testament, the joining of man and woman in marriage is further developed as being an image of Christ and the church, His bride.
Christ wedding a male church is inconsistent with the clear and plain teaching of the Bible. Since we know Christ is male, He could not be female to marry another female (the church). The idea that same-sex marriages are approved by God just doesn't add up.
Within the same chapter, the concepts of male and female, man and woman (Ephesians 5:28), and husband and wife (Ephesians 5:23), are quite clear in reference to marriage.
Final Thoughts
There is no room for doubt. In the current trend of American culture, do not be deceived—God tells us that only men and women should be married. Anything else is in direct contradiction to the commands of God and flies in the face of the clear teaching of Scripture.
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By Jerry Smith
Feature image source: James Bold on Unsplash
Man and woman no heads image source: Tom The Photographer on Unsplash
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