ESOCS Devotional 22 September 2025 – Don’t Tie The Knot Until You Are Ready
MEMORY VERSE: “But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.” 1 Corinthians 7:28 KJVV
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:26-40
I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is: 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.
32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. 33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. 34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
36 But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. 38 So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
39 A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God.
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When we’re single, we think marriage will fix our problems. But could it just be the idea of marriage we love? Dreaming together is easy. The idea of creating a new life sounds exciting. But in reality, “till death do us part” is tough!
In 1 Corinthians 7:28, the apostle Paul encourages church members to stay single if they can because “those who marry will face many troubles in this life.” Marriage is good, but if you’re not called to it, singleness is better.
When two sinful, selfish people get together and try to get their needs met from each other, the marriage is headed for disaster. But when two sinful, selfish people get together and put Jesus at the centre of their marriage, it can become their greatest ministry.
Marriage is more than sex without sinning, paying bills, running errands, and playing house. Marriage is a responsibility where each spouse seeks to serve the other.
If we’re seeing marriage as a way to get something for ourselves, we’re not ready for the sacrifice marriage requires. Jesus submitted Himself willingly and sacrificed His life out of love for us. The relationship between husbands and wives was designed to resemble mutual sacrifice and submission between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:22-33).
There’s nothing wrong with getting married. Marriage is a gift from God (Proverbs 18:22). But one of the best questions we can ask before tying the knot is this: “Is my goal to get something or to give something because Jesus gave for me?” If we’re seeing marriage as a way to get something for ourselves, we’re not ready for the sacrifice marriage requires.
CHALLENGES
What are some ways your marriage is helping you grow in your relationship with Jesus? How has it distracted you from Him?- If you are married, what were the reasons you wanted to marry your spouse? How have your feelings about marriage changed over time?
- If you are single and thinking about marriage, what are your reasons? Are you able to give the very things you want to get from a spouse?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord, I pray for perfect understand of Your purpose for marriage and the ability to exemplify it in my marriage, in Jesus name Amen.
FURTHER READING: 1 Kings 3:15-23; 1 Kings 4:1-251; 1 Corinthians 8:14-25
ESOCS Devotional 22 September 2025
