The Hope of Marriage

Following the Leadership of the Holy Spirit

Ms. Mattie was quite fond of Deanna because she was so sweet and always took time to chat some mornings in their break room at work. On one of those mornings, they talked about Deanna’s desire to find the right man and how challenging it had been in the past. Ms. Mattie told her, “Sweet Girl, Marriage can either bless your life or it can make you a very unhappy woman. It can be the biggest mistake of your life. The best thing you can do for yourself and the man you’ll marry one day is to be led by the Spirit on this. Let the Spirit steer you in the right direction.” This priceless piece of wisdom stuck in Deanna’s heart and mind, and she made a commitment to learn more about the Holy Spirit.

Many single women are praying to cross paths with the man they will marry, but we must understand that it’s the Lord who puts two people together as man and wife. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 19:4–6 (NLT), “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” He went on to explain that a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two become one. Marriage is a spiritual union that has been ordained and given by God. Following the leadership of His Holy Spirit is essential to pleasing Him and building a marriage that is in line with His purpose for both people. Many singles don’t realize how much they’re missing when they don’t know the Holy Spirit or understand His leadership. They’re praying for marriage, but they haven’t learned to follow the One who can help them recognize whether a relationship is right for them in the first place.

The Holy Spirit’s Leadership in Marriage

Jesus Christ teaches us in John 16:13(NLT), “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” In our quest for a marriage that is sanctioned by our Heavenly Father, we cannot bypass the instruction and truth of what Jesus Christ has spoken. Our hope for marriage is moved closer to reality by following the leadership of the Holy Spirit who lives within every born-again believer. He knows what we don’t know, and He sees what we cannot see. This is why we must learn to trust His leadership rather than allowing our emotions and desires to make decisions for us.

Jesus Christ told the disciples in Matthew 28:19 (NLT), “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is a person, much more of a person than any human being could ever be. He’s not an ‘it’. He is a ‘He’, and a member of the Godhead. In the Old Testament, God promised to pour out His Spirit upon His people. He said in Joel 2:28 (NLT), “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.” Through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God ushered in a new covenant, and through the new birth reality, we can receive the Holy Spirit. He comes to live inside our body temples, and His presence gives us the privilege of having God’s guidance in every area of our lives.

He will bring the fullness of Christ when he makes his home in us. 1Corinthians 6:19-20(NLT) tells us, “19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” Knowing this truth, it is only right that we must be led by the Spirit to bring our temples into oneness with another. If we are not humbling ourselves under his guidance, we will not be released in his power and will lack his direction and guidance to partner well.

Pray in the Spirit

Acts 2:1-4(NLT) says, “1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” Speaking in tongues is available to every believer, and it allows us to pray according to God’s Will. It’s an outward manifestation of what we have received from God inwardly. It is evidence that the Holy Spirit lives within us.

God tells us in Ephesians 6:18 (NLT), “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” We understand praying in tongues to be one way of praying in the Spirit. The Apostle Paul also speaks of tongues in 1 Corinthians 13:1, referring to the languages of people and angels. God has given us the awesome privilege of prayer, and our prayers are an invitation for Him to intervene in the situations of our lives and those of others as well. Sometimes, however, we don’t know the details. Romans 8:26 (NLT) tells us, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.” The verse goes on to explain that the Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. What a tremendous blessing it is to know that we are not left to depend on our own understanding when we come before our Heavenly Father.

1 Corinthians 14:2 (NLT) teaches that a person speaking in tongues is speaking to God by the power of the Spirit, even though others cannot understand what is being spoken. We believe praying in tongues is an important part of our spiritual lives, especially in the evil times in which we now live. It helps us remain spiritually sensitive and gives us a way to pray when we don’t know what to pray for. Think about this for a moment. You don’t know where your future husband is. You don’t know what he’s doing, and you don’t know what aspect of his life is causing him discomfort or pain and needs to come under the blood of Jesus Christ. You don’t know what challenges he may be facing or what decisions are before him. You don’t know, but the Holy Spirit that lives within you knows. He knows everything. We can trust Him to help us pray, and we can also trust Him to lead us in the decisions we make concerning marriage.

Jesus Christ tells us in John 10:10 (NKJV), “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” We have an enemy, the devil, and he is adamant about destroying the good things that God has planned for His children. This is why we cannot afford to be careless about our spiritual lives or the decisions we make concerning marriage. You and I don’t have the ability to direct ourselves toward God’s treasures. We need the leadership of His Holy Spirit. This is not about religion. It’s about walking in the Spirit’s power and in God’s truth. Ephesians 1:3 tells us that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ, and we should desire to experience all that Heavenly Father has made available to us. If you have questions about speaking in tongues or the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, ask Him for yourself. Study His Word, seek His guidance, and allow Him to teach you.

Ms. Mattie understood something that every single woman who desires marriage needs to understand. Getting married isn’t the finish line, and having a husband isn’t the answer to everything. Marriage brings two people together who will have to learn how to love, forgive, sacrifice, and walk in agreement with God’s Word. We need the Holy Spirit’s help for all of it. So, while you’re praying for the man you hope to marry, make sure you’re also praying to become more sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit. Learn to recognize His leadership now, because you’re going to need it after you say, “I do.” ∎

“The Hope of Marriage”, written by Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Stephens for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.

Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

The Spirit’s Fruit — Self-Control

The Spirit’s Fruit — Gentleness