Divine Order in Marriage: Prioritizing God First

Divine order in relationships is established by placing God as the foremost priority in life, with the spouse following second, and all other concerns coming thereafter. This hierarchy forms the foundation for healthy, balanced relationships, particularly within marriage.

The Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, commands believers to love God with all their heart, soul, and might. This commandment serves not only as a personal mandate but also as a blueprint for relational dynamics, including marriage ([58:52]). Loving God first aligns individuals with divine order, which naturally leads to proper and harmonious relationships with others, especially one’s spouse ([58:55]).

God occupies the primary position in this divine order—He is “your one,” while the spouse is “your two” ([58:18]). Prioritizing God ensures that the spouse becomes a true partner rather than an idol or an afterthought. When a spouse is placed first, there is a risk of idolizing or demonizing them, since ultimate authority belongs solely to God ([01:03:43]). This principle is rooted in the biblical teaching of Genesis 2:24, which instructs leaving one’s parents and holding fast to one’s wife, emphasizing the importance of relinquishing other allegiances to properly prioritize the marriage relationship ([01:02:14]).

A proper relationship with God, characterized by loving Him first, directly contributes to a healthy marriage. Biblical examples, such as Adam and Eve, demonstrate that when God is first, love, protection, and commitment within marriage naturally fall into place ([01:02:41]). This divine order ensures that marriages are resilient and aligned with God’s design.

Loving God is both a choice and a commitment that profoundly influences how spouses love one another. Prioritizing God above all else, including marriage, sustains long-term relationships and prevents the chaos that arises from misplaced priorities ([01:22:21]). When God is the center of life, marriages become healthier, more stable, and firmly rooted in divine purpose.

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from Princeton Church, one of 5 churches in Princeton, NC