When the young man came up with the names of the three sisters that God had told him he could propose to, I knew something was wrong somewhere. He planned to move from one sister to another, hoping to find one that would agree to marry him. As he spoke, all I kept seeing was polygamous tendencies. I took my time to supply him understanding.
Friend, polygamy does not just happen. It is a programming (Proverbs 5:15-21). The time to deal with polygamous tendencies is when you are still single. Married people are not exempted. There’s a way married people can comport themselves in marriage that would sow the seed of polygamy into that marriage (Galatians 6:7).
As Christians, we understand that marriage is between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-8). No matter what the world says, the word of God remains our standard. The place to discover God’s original plan for marriage is in Genesis, before the fall. We need to go back to the beginning (Genesis 2:18, 24). We need to rediscover God’s original intent for marriage.
Marriage is of the heart (Proverbs 31:11). Once you decide to marry, your heart now belongs to one man or woman, aside from God. When you notice your heart is drifting away from the person to whom God has led you, you need to check it. Dear young man and woman, single or married, learn to protect your heart (Proverbs 4:23). It is your greatest capital for marriage and destiny.
Don’t have a close relationship with someone who’s not your spouse (Proverbs 6:27-29). Not many people can manage such a relationship. Emotions will be triggered over time. Your heart will drift. Your reasoning will be affected. Make your spouse or fiancé/fiancée your best friend. It may not happen automatically, but you should work towards it (Malachi 2:14-15).
Once you’re married, be satisfied with your spouse (Proverbs 5:18). Stop thinking that another person could be better. Decide to love everything about your spouse. Sometimes, polygamy is an ancestral flow. Once you notice it in your ancestry, fight it in prayers (Nahum 1:9). Avoid situations and practices that would make you a victim.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria