The Secret of a Remarkable Marriage! (4) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo-Flatimes

Monday, 30 May 2016

The Secret of a Remarkable Marriage! (4) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo
Topic: The Secret of a Remarkable Marriage! (4)

Dear Reader,

I welcome you to the last week of the month.  No doubt it has been a great and glorious month unveiling the secret of a remarkable marriage.  I started by telling you what marriage is all about, before unveiling the secrets to that order of marriage weekly.

I would like to conclude this teaching by showing us one more secret of a remarkable marriage – Transparency!  There should be no secret for a healthy marriage.  Nothing should be hidden from one another, irrespective of the magnitude. It makes your spouse confide in you, and would vouch for you even in your absence any day, anytime. God’s Word says: And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed (Genesis 2:25).  Adam and Eve were both naked in the Garden of Eden, and they were not ashamed of anything.  Why?  Because that is the way God instituted marriage to be: Transparent.

Let me share this story with you.  Some time ago, a married woman got into a church and was obsessed by the way the pastor preached. Over the course of time, she had developed a relationship with the pastor and his wife.  Her relationship with the pastor became so intimate that they talked on phone almost every day.  This was a secret she kept away from her husband, for fear of jealously and unnecessary thoughts, since she was confident of herself. Though their discussion was based on church business and affairs, in her heart of hearts, she knew it was wrong to keep secrets from her husband. But she was drawn further into this inappropriate relationship, by her pride and a denial to heed the warning signs.

One day, she was enjoying her daily phone conversation with her pastor, when he revealed a romantic interest in her. Obviously, at that point she should have left that church and confessed the whole ugly situation to her husband, but she didn’t. Instead of rejecting the pastor’s romantic advance, she found herself thrilled and drawn in even further.

However, the secret of their daily phone calls led to a secret romance that went on for three months. Eventually, the elders of the church found out about the improper relationship, and she was sent away from the church, while the pastor was dismissed.

Nevertheless, her husband got to know about the relationship and was highly disappointed. But for the fact that he loved his wife and nothing sexual had happened between the pastor and his wife, he forgave her.

When it comes to marriage, secrets are like arsenic; tiny amounts may not be deadly, but if ingested repeatedly, arsenic can be lethal. Transparency should be the order of the day, to enjoy a remarkable marriage.  That young woman would have jeopardized her marriage because of a secret that does not worth to be called one, if not for her husband who has a large heart, and understanding too.

Marriage is not meant for secrets that cannot be shared with one’s spouse. Transparency is not an advice but obligatory for a successful and ever peaceful marriage.

To truly be transparent to your spouse, it takes the Spirit of God.  The Spirit of God relates with those who are redeemed.  If you are not yet born again and you would like to, please pray this simple prayer of faith: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).