Sunday
February 19
1. A SACRED CALLING
a. What was God's plan in designing marriage? Genesis 2:21-24; Mark 10:6-9.
Neither husband nor wife is to make a plea for rulership. . . . Both are to cultivate the spirit of kindness, being determined never to grieve or injure the other.-Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 47.
b. In view of a widespread peril, of what should we be aware? Romans 8:5, 6.
We are living in the last days, when the mania upon the subject of marriage constitutes one of the signs of the near coming of Christ. . . . Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 503, 504.
Because they have entered into the marriage relation, many think that they may permit themselves to be controlled by animal passions. They are led on by Satan, who deceives them and leads them to pervert this sacred institution.-Ibid., vol. 2, p. 480.
Monday
February 20
2. THE BIGGEST FACTOR IN CHOOSING A SPOUSE
a. Why was circumcision specifically designed as the token of the covenant with God, and how does it apply today? Genesis 17:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14.
[God] required of Abraham and his seed circumcision, which was a circle cut in the flesh, as a token that God had cut them out and separated them from all nations as His peculiar treasure. By this sign they solemnly pledged themselves that they would not intermarry with other nations; for by so doing they would lose their reverence for God and His holy law, and would become like the idolatrous nations around them.-Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p. 297.
It is a dangerous thing to form a worldly alliance. Satan well knows that the hour that witnesses the marriage of many young men and women closes the history of their religious experience and usefulness. They are lost to Christ. They may for a time make an effort to live a Christian life, but all their strivings are made against a steady influence in the opposite direction. Once it was a privilege and joy to them to speak of their faith and hope; but they become unwilling to mention the subject, knowing that the one with whom they have linked their destiny takes no interest in it. As the result, faith in the precious truth dies out of the heart, and Satan insidiously weaves about them a web of skepticism.
It is carrying that which is lawful to excess that makes it a grievous sin. Those who profess the truth trample on the will of God in marrying unbelievers; they lose His favor and make bitter work for repentance. The unbelieving may possess an excellent moral character; but the fact that he or she has not answered to the claims of God, and has neglected so great salvation, is sufficient reason why such a union should not be consummated. The character of the unbelieving may be similar to that of the young man to whom Jesus addressed the words, 'One thing thou lackest;' that was the one thing needful.
The plea is sometimes made that the unbeliever is favorable to religion and is all that could be desired in a companion except in one thing-he is not a Christian. Although the better judgment of the believer may suggest the impropriety of a union for life with an unbeliever, yet, in nine cases out of ten, inclination triumphs. Spiritual declension commences the moment the vow is made at the altar; religious fervor is dampened, and one stronghold after another is broken down, until both stand side by side under the black banner of Satan.-Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 504, 505.
Tuesday
February 21
3. HUSBANDS
a. What is to be the attitude of a husband, and why? Ephesians 5:25-31.
The husband should maintain his position in his family with all meekness, yet with decision.-Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 308.
b. What are various ways in which many men fall short in their high calling as husbands, and how can they improve? 1 Peter 3:7.
It is not pure love which actuates a man to make his wife an instrument to minister to his lust. It is the animal passions which clamor for indulgence. How few men show their love in the manner specified by the apostle: 'Even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might [not pollute it, but] sanctify and cleanse it; . . . that it should be holy and without blemish' (Ephesians 5:5-27). This is the quality of love in the marriage relation which God recognizes as holy. Love is a pure and holy principle; but lustful passion will not admit of restraint, and will not be dictated to or controlled by reason. It is blind to consequences; it will not reason from cause to effect. Many women are suffering from great debility and settled disease because the laws of their being have been disregarded; nature's laws have been trampled upon. The brain nerve power is squandered by men and women, being called into unnatural action to gratify base passions; and this hideous monster, base, low passion, assumes the delicate name of love. Many professed Christians who passed before me seemed destitute of moral restraint. They were more animal than divine. In fact, they were about all animal. Men of this type degrade the wife whom they have promised to nourish and cherish.-Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 473, 474.
You, Brother C, have felt that it was beneath your dignity to manifest tenderness by kindly acts, and to watch for an opportunity to evince affection for your wife by words of tenderness and kind regard.-Ibid., vol. 1, p. 695.
Only let a woman realize that she is appreciated by her husband and is precious to him, not merely because she is useful and convenient in his house, but because she is a part of himself, and she will respond to his affection and reflect the love bestowed upon her.-Ibid., vol. 2, pp. 416, 417.
Wednesday
February 22
4. WIVES
a. What is the calling of a wife? Ephesians 5:22-24, 33. What dangers often beset wives, especially in this generation?
I am acquainted with a number of women who have thought their marriage a misfortune. They have read novels until their imaginations have become diseased, and they live in a world of their own creating. They think themselves women of sensitive minds, of superior, refined organizations, and imagine that their husbands are not so refined, that they do not possess these superior qualities, and therefore cannot appreciate their own supposed virtue and refined organizations. Consequently these women think themselves great sufferers, martyrs. They have talked of this and thought upon it until they are nearly maniacs upon this subject. They imagine their worth superior to that of other mortals, and it is not agreeable to their fine sensibilities to associate with common humanity. These women are making themselves fools; and their husbands are in danger of thinking that they do possess a superior order of mind.
From what the Lord has shown me, the women of this class have had their imaginations perverted by novel reading, daydreaming, and castle-building, living in an imaginary world. They do not bring their own ideas down to the common, useful duties of life. They do not take up the life burdens which lie in their path, and seek to make a happy, cheerful home for their husbands."-Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 462, 463.
There is often a great failure on the part of the wife. She does not put forth strong efforts to control her own spirit and make home happy. There is often fretfulness and unnecessary complaining on her part. The husband comes home from his labor weary and perplexed, and meets a clouded brow instead of cheerful, encouraging words. He is but human, and his affections become weaned from his wife, he loses the love of his home, his pathway is darkened, and his courage destroyed. He yields his self-respect and that dignity which God requires him to maintain. The husband is the head of the family, as Christ is the head of the Church; and any course which the wife may pursue to lessen his influence and lead him to come down from that dignified, responsible position is displeasing to God.-Ibid., vol. 1, pp. 307, 308.
b. How can a wife improve her husband? 1 Peter 3:1-6.
Thursday
February 23
5. TRUE FIDELITY
a. What must we realize about the sacredness of all vows, including the marriage vow? Mark 10:2-12; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6.
Though difficulties, perplexities, and discouragements may arise, let neither husband nor wife harbor the thought that their union is a mistake or a disappointment. Determine to be all that it is possible to be to each other. Continue the early attentions. In every way encourage each other in fighting the battles of life. Study to advance the happiness of each other.-The Ministry of Healing, p. 360.
b. How does God describe His feelings on divorce? Malachi 2:13-16. How does this apply even when one's spouse is an unbeliever? 1 Corinthians 7:10-14.
Divorce after divorce is recorded in the daily papers. This is the marriage of which Christ speaks when He says that before the flood they were 'marrying and giving in marriage' (Matthew 24:38).-Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, p. 56.
c. If divorce does occur, what must both parties realize? 1 Corinthians 7:39; Luke 16:18.
d. How can much loss of love between spouses be avoided? 1 Thessalonians 5:22.
Friday
February 24
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Why does God warn us against deceptions surrounding His gift of marriage?
2. How can we become better husbands and better wives?
3. Why is restoring marriage a key element in revealing God's character of love?