When the opinion is personal, it doesn't come as a commandment. That's why no one should feel compelled to do it, because God knows our nature. Now, if the command comes from the throne of the Most High, everyone who hears it feels that it is God speaking. Today, our impression is that society has gone mad, so we have to make the right distinction between something coming from man and the commandment of Heaven. Examine yourself and obey the Lord!

           Remember: everyone has the gift of discernment about their own life. If someone is told not to get married, they won't feel the need to find a spouse. The Bible guarantees clarity for such a decision: For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33). The Lord would never force any of His children to take a course of action contrary to His purpose. The heavenly Father will always be faithful!

           It is said that the apostle Paul was probably married, but he never mentioned it. However, the fact that he was a member of the Sanhedrin hints at this, because you had to be married to be part of this group. Some imagine that when he converted to the gospel, his wife didn't accept the change of religion and left him, leading him to say that he would like us to be like him, without a spouse. His opinion does not mean that we should act like him, because, as we have seen, not everyone has this gift!

           The cases must be dealt with separately, examining what happened to the person who was saddened by the marriage breakdown and other factors. The Bible says that we will be held accountable for our actions. In the case of the apostle, it will be the fact that, if he was married, he no longer had a family. As for the separation of a couple, it should only happen if there is adultery (Matthew 19:9). The best decision for resolving family issues comes from respect for the Word.

           In marriage, there must be respect for the determinations of Scripture in order to live godly before the Most High. The Bible gives advice to those who submit to God's lordship, stating: For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But If the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband (Romans 7.2). If Paul was married and his wife left him, she will answer for that.

           One of the important aspects of the marital relationship dealt with by the apostle in his letter to the church in Ephesus is that the husband is the head of the wife. This doesn't mean that he should impose orders on his wife to obey; after all, the husband's treatment should be the same as Christ's treatment of His Church: For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5.23).

           As for the treatment of husband and wife, the Word teaches: Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband (Ephesians 5.33). The Lord shows the duty and fidelity we owe Him, which will result in living with a clear conscience and in peace with everyone. In this way, the couple will be happy and their children will be joyful!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares