Wisdom in Choosing a Spouse

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Wisdom in Choosing a Spouse
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Introduction

• The value of Proverbs is it provides a guide
  inspired by God for how to live life
• Family
• Business
• Social
• Spiritual
• We will begin with a few lessons on family
  relationships
• Starting with selecting a spouse

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Making the Right Choice

• Prov 124
• Much happiness in life depends on making the
  right choice
• A good choice enhances life
• A bad choice can ruin you
• Dont think if you make a bad choice you can pick
  again
• God hates divorce (Mal 216)

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Finding a Good Spouse

• Prov 1914
• Seek help from God
• A life-long decision with effects on you and your
  children
• Prov 3130
• Dont be overly concerned with looks and charm
• Beauty will pass away, but youll still be
  married
• Charm can be faked
• Make finding a Christian (one who fears the Lord)
  your number one priority
• You may convert a non-believer, or they may turn
  you, or you may have life-long friction

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Finding a Good Spouse

• Prov 1122
• Find a spouse with discretion
• Discretion is the ability to do the right thing
  at the right time
• Literally the word is taste
• Even if the woman is gorgeous, if she is always
  saying or doing the wrong thing, look elsewhere
  for a mate

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Finding a Good Spouse

• Prov 141
• Find a spouse who has wisdom
• One who bases their actions on the teachings in
  the Bible
• Such a spouse will help you build a house
• Avoid the foolish
• Anyone who refuses to follow the wisdom of Gods
  word
• Will end up tearing the house down

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Finding a Good Spouse

• Prov 1913
• Avoid marrying someone who is argumentative
• Itll be like a continually dripping
• Prov 2715-16
• Trying to get such a person to stop will be like
  trying to stop the wind or grab a handful of oil
• Prov 219, 19
• Perhaps Solomon had more than his share of
  contentious and angry wives

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Finding a Good Spouse

• Prov 1822
• Finding the right mate is a wonderful blessing
• Better to be patient while looking than to rush
  and make a bad choice
• How can we tell someones basic character before
  marrying them?

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Identifying character

• Prov 1210
• How does he/she treat animals?
• Prov 1215
• Does he/she listen to advice?
• Prov 1320
• What sort of friends does he/she have?
• Prov 1429
• Is he/she hot-tempered?

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Identifying character

• Prov 1527
• How concerned is he/she with getting rich?
• Prov 1727-28
• Does he/she feel compelled to always give an
  opinion?
• Prov 2113
• How does he/she treat the poor?
• Ask yourself what character others see in you

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Others to avoid

• The flirt
• Prov 624-28
• The angry
• Prov 2224-25
• The drinker
• Prov 2329-30

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Conclusion

• This was not an exhaustive study of all Proverbs
  has to say about choosing a spouse
• Perhaps it will get you interested in studying
  more
• Next lesson we will look at what Proverbs says
  about BEING a good spouse

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