Christian fidelity in marriage
Fidelity, in the Christian viewpoint, is the strict fulfillment of vows and duties or conjugal faithfulness. This definition seems uncomplicated, but to practice fidelity in a relationship, specifically marriage, is a commitment that many people would not comprehend in its’ totality.
The Christian meaning of fidelity is perceived by the majority of society to be strictly in the corporeal sense only. As a Christian we are called to look upon not only the physical reality but also the spiritual reality. The actual definition of fidelity is: 1) strict fulfillment of promises, duties, etc., 2) loyalty, 3) conjugal faithfulness. In light of that we must look at the meaning and practice of fidelity in a Christian marriage.
When a couple is married, they enter into a covenant relationship not a marriage contract. The difference between the two is that a contract is simply a written agreement between two parties and a covenant in the biblical sense is much more. A covenant is based on a verbal or non-written promise that is attested to by either a sworn verbal oath, vow, or act. In a covenant you promise to share not only your worldly possessions but also your own body. When you promise to love, honor, obey, until death do us part, one has to keep in mind that every time you swear an oath, you are calling on God to testify that what you have sworn to is the truth. People must consider that when you take your marriage vows this is precisely what you are doing. In a contract all you have to do is sign on the dotted line and hopefully you have read the contract. A couple must truly understand the difference between the two before entering into this sacred union.
Additionally, the Christian point of view we must...
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... light responsibility and has to be weighed judiciously before deciding to enter into a marriage. One must ask a potential spouse what their definition of fidelity is, and does their viewpoint and yours reflect the same thing? If not, the better choice would be to delay or cancel any marriage plans or you must then contemplate if this a compromise that you are willing to make? If you decide that it is a compromise you are willing to make can you then live with someone who then says, “You know I lied, I am only going to give you my love, but I will not share X with you.” That leaves a lot up to chance and can come back and haunt you down the road. We must understand as a Christian society that marriage is much, much more than many people think it is and must understand that fidelity in its truest sense, is more than what the common understanding leads one to believe.
In the Webster's Dictionary the noun, fidelity, is written to mean the quality or state of being faithful. This can be taken in a number of ways depending on the relationship two people may have. For example, the relationship between a parent and child, husband and wife, a friendship all carry a certain idea that one will be honest and faithful to the other and vice versa. Sometimes these feelings are also diverted. They may backfire and cause feelings of mistrust. Lying, cheating, abuse are all factors.
This essay can be broken up in to two distinct parts: first I attempt to define the role of christian sexual ethics into two main objectives: (1) primarily, it should be concerned with orienting sexual desires towards God and checking all desires against a desire for God above all. (2) And secondarily, sexual ethics should be concerned with the formation of a sexual character of commitment, loyalty and faithfulness.
Marriage - Catholics believe that marriage comes as a gift from the hand of God. The Catholic vision of marriage is to unite a couple together for all of life in front of God to bless them and insure them a life of eternal love. It has these main aspects through marriage it unites a couple in faithful and mutual love, opens a couple to giving life and reproducing Gods greatest creation, is a way to respond to God’s call to holiness and follow in his faith and calls the couple to be a sign of Christ’s love in the world and live happy lives in the arms of God. Overall it is important that married people follow in the words of the lord and preach what he has given and share their bond forever, live happy and be selfless.
What is marriage? Based on what a person believes, marriage can mean many different things. For example, someone with a Christian background might say that it is a holy matrimony of man and woman. For someone with a background of atheism, it might mean committing to their significant other, which ever gender they are, for the rest of their life. However, this can change from person to person depending on what they believe marriage is.
The state of celibacy is exalted above that of marriage in the Church based upon 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, which states, " He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. . . . And this I speak. . . that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction." That's a wonderful ideal, but 1 Corinthians 7:9 says, "But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn ( with passion)."
While the dictionary defines fidelity “the act or fact of having romantic or sexual relationship with someone other than one’s husband, wife, or partner”; my definition would naturally be a bit different (Fidelity, n.d.). In my opinion, there are different types of cheating and is not limited to just a romantic or sexual relationship with another person. An article by Alyssa Siegel explained some types of cheating which I also agree with. There’s emotional fidelity which is when the partner finds someone else for the sensitive aspect of it when they should be sharing it with their actual partner. Physical which is obviously inherently sexual and can be considered as an affair (Alyssa Siegel, 2013). Having “open” relationships such has not having
Some’s definition of Marriage is when two souls coming into one soul –still distinct but forming one entity. Being raised in the church, marriage is when two people come together, declaring their wedding vows to each other and to God. Marriage is
Marriage is a bond and a union between couples and their families. It is not about romance but it is about love and sacrifice. In the book it stated how people feared loved. It caused war and disaster, especially if a person fell in love and married the wrong person it threatened the stability of the clan or kingdom. Marriage takes time to happen. It is a process in which two parties agree on. It is a time of nurturing a friendship first before the feelings of love take place, which is why in my culture, which is the Jesus culture, we do not recommend sex before marriage because it destroys the marriage before you even discuss marriage. Having sex before marriage clouds the mind and makes you blind to the truth because you’re so in love, so by back...
...r of The Lord and the ultimate dependency in His grace and love. Then, as I submit myself to His will, also lay at His feet my marriage and my wife. After this, I believe I need to make a conscious decision to love my wife regardless of the circumstances and situations that we face. This part is extremely important. It is a rational resolution, not one that is conditioned by, but one that will prevail despite of actions or feelings. Next, pray for the cultivation of fruits of the spirit, love patience, kindness, etc to be the center of our marriage as we both seek to understand each other and love each other better. Finally, intentional time together to grow in The Lord, to pray and to enjoy one another will constitute the foundations of a marriage rooted in God. These steps cement a base in which we can build and grow our covenant with The Lord and with each other.
When we think of marriage, the first thing that comes to mind is having a lasting relationship. Marriage is a commitment of two people to one another and to each other?s family, bonded by holy matrimony. When a couple plans to marry, they think of raising a family together, dedicating their life to each other. That?s the circle of life--our natural instinct to live and produce children and have those children demonstrate your own good morals. I have never been married; but I don?t understand why when two people get married and vow to be together for richer and poorer, better or worse, decide to just forget about that commitment. A marriage should be the most important decision a person makes in his or her life.
...ndard that puts sex within the fidelity and security of marriage is the most responsible code that has ever been developed. You are justified in following it without apology as the best standard for protecting human, moral, and religious values that has been devised.
The first duty of the husband is to love his wife. The word love has become a misunderstood word, love is an action word that most people has taken this word out of content, love is an action word it goes deep it has been described the lust of the flesh, and nothing more. The Bible mention the word love talks about sacrifice that you make for the betterment of someone else. You can measure love by your sacrifice, not by your enjoyment. To say that a man loves his wife is a talk about sacrifice that he makes for her (Ephesians 5:25). “Husbands love your own wives, even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it. Husbands honor and love your wives, you should treat her like a queen she’s not just
In conclusion, the metaphor of marriage used throughout the Bible to illustrate the relationship between God and His people and the institution of human marriage. Marriage is a covenant and you must not break it because it is like breaking God’s covenant. One should love each other like Christ love us. God joined the two people together as one flesh therefore divorce is unacceptable.
A Roman statesman, Marcus Tullius Cicero, quoted, “Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity. Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind” (Brainy Quote). Fidelity is an element essential to all successful and happy marriages. A marriage without loyalty, commitment, and trustworthiness is likely to fail. Individuals are able to learn from some of America’s most notable individuals such as Bill Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tiger Woods about how fidelity can lead to shame and humiliation. Their actions may even give adults today the idea that marriage is an inconsequential relationship. Fidelity is a moral absolute of mine because I believe that betrayal and sexual unfaithfulness to one’s spouse is morally wrong and unethical regardless of any given situation or what is declared as okay by the rest of society. These strong values have stemmed from the religious beliefs I was taught as a young child. By first gaining knowledge of the variations between moral absolutism and moral relativism, subsequently viewing my personal morals and values on honesty and faithfulness in marriages, and finally considering my actions if put into special circumstances display how I hold fidelity to my future spouse as a moral absolute.
Marriage vows does not state specifically that sex is autonomous to the marriage, however, it is perceived by society. According to Richard Wasserstrom, Adultery is a break of a promise and deception. In terms of the marriage breaking a promise and is serious because of the importance of the