George Muller on God's Guidance in Marriage
George Muller emphasizes the importance of prayerful treatment and guidance from God in choosing a spouse.
George Müller emphasizes the significance of seeking God's guidance in the choice of a marriage partner, highlighting that this decision profoundly impacts our happiness and usefulness in life. He advises that the choice should be made through prayer, focusing on true godliness as the essential qualification for a Christian spouse, rather than superficial attributes like beauty or wealth. Müller encourages a willingness to be guided by God and stresses the importance of considering compatibility in education and values to ensure a harmonious union. He underscores that a prayerful and thoughtful approach is crucial for a successful marriage.
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"Let me here add a word of Christian counsel. To enter upon the marriage union is one of the most deeply important events of life. It cannot be too prayerfully treated. Our happiness, our usefulness, our living for God or for ourselves afterwards, are often most intimately connected with our choice. Therefore, in the most prayerful manner, this choice should be made.
Neither beauty, nor age, nor money, nor mental powers, should be that which prompt the decision; but 1st, Much waiting upon God for guidance should be used; 2nd, A hearty purpose, to be willing to be guided by Him should be aimed after; 3rd, True godliness without a shadow of doubt, should be the first and absolutely needful qualification, to a Christian, with regard to a companion for life.
In addition to this, however, it ought to be, at the same time, calmly and patiently weighed, whether, in other respects, there is a suitableness. For instance, for an educated man to choose an entirely uneducated woman, is unwise; for however much on his part love might be willing to cover the defect, it will work very unhappily with regard to the children."-George Müller, Narratives, Vol. 3
Sermon Outline
- Prayerful Treatment of Marriage
- Guidance from God
- Qualifications for a Christian Spouse
- True Godliness
- Suitability in Other Respects
Key Quotes
“To enter upon the marriage union is one of the most deeply important events of life.” — George Mueller
“Much waiting upon God for guidance should be used; 2nd, A hearty purpose, to be willing to be guided by Him should be aimed after;” — George Mueller
Application Points
- Pray for guidance when making important life decisions, such as choosing a spouse.
- Prioritize true godliness as the most important qualification for a Christian spouse.
- Consider suitability in other respects, such as education or age, when evaluating a potential spouse.