DEFINING MARRIAGE

By Mark Larson

www.cvillechurch.com

Introduction: “Is it Necessary to Define Marriage?”

A. Many say that defining marriage is unnecessary and unwarranted, that marriage is strictly a human or civil right, a social and private affair that should be left to individuals to decide without government interference.

B. Such an approach to marriage will inevitably lead to the destruction of marriage itself, where marriage is anything you want it to be!

C. Defining marriage is in fact very important, critical to preserving and protecting the institution of marriage.

I. Attempts by the World to Redefine Marriage

A. Same-sex couples who “love” and commit to one another (homosexuality).

B. A man and woman who live together in “love” and commitment (cohabitation).

C. A man and / or woman who lives with, “loves”, and commits to several men /women (i.e., polygamy and/ or bisexuality).

II. Does the World Have a Right to Redefine Marriage?

A. The Bible exhorts us to not conform to this world, which would include its
standard of morality and practices (Rom. 12:2).

B. No matter how Man may define marriage, God’s definition will forever stand! (1 Pet. 1:24-25; Heb. 4:12).

III. God’s Definition of Marriage

A. Marriage is the union of one male and one female (Mat. 19:4-6).

1. There is no mistaking God’s original definition of marriage, given “from the beginning” – a monogamous relationship.

B. Marriage is a heterosexual, not homosexual relationship.

1. “At the beginning made them male and female”, not male and male or female and female (Mat. 19:4; cf. Gen. 1:26-27; 2:22).

2. Marriage involves the union of the only type of couple, one male and
one female, capable of natural reproduction of the human race (Gen. 1:28).

3. When God created a help meet for Adam, He did not create another man
(Gen. 2:18, 21-23).

4. Another man would not have been a suitable partner for Adam, any more than any one of the animals which God had created! (cf. Lev. 18:23).

5. God condemns the fleshly union of males with males and females with females in both the Old Testament and New (Gen. 18:20; 19:5; Lev 18:22; 20:13; Mat. 11:23-24; Luke 17:28-29; Jude 7; 1 Tim. 1:10; 1 Cor. 6:9-10).

6. Homosexuality is a “vile passion” that is “against nature” - not a genetic or inherited “sexual orientation” (Rom. 1:26-27).

C. The honorable institution of marriage does not permit fornication or adultery (Heb. 13:4).

1. Unmarried couples living together (cohabiting) “in love” is not the moral equivalent to marriage, but a dishonor and disrespect of marriage.

2. Those who practice polygamous “marriage” will be judged by God for
adultery.

3. To tolerate “marriage” for same-sex or homosexual couples (a form of fornication) is to belittle and defile the marriage institution.

4. Marriage is to be highly esteemed (“be held in honor”) by pure conduct and by our defense of it.

D. Marriage is about companionship and commitment.

1. By creating woman for man, the need for companionship was fulfilled in the first marriage (Gen. 2:18, 22).

2. Marriage is also about devotion, commitment, and unity (Gen. 2:24).

E. God’s definition of marriage includes couples complying with civil law to ratify the marriage contract or agreement (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).

1. Rom 12:17b says “Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men” (ASV), thus marriage must be ratified in a way accepted by society.

2. Civil procedures should be followed, provided they do not violate God’s
law (Acts 5:29).

IV. Standing Up for God’s Definition of Marriage is not Discrimination!

A. God’s definition of marriage is not discriminatory, but is open to all adults who meet His requirements (Mat. 19:4-11; cf. Gen. 2:24).

B. Marriage has a specific meaning that should be upheld and respected by all (Gen. 2:24; Mat. 19:4-11).

Conclusion: Let Us Honor, Respect, and Defend God’s Definition of Marriage!