Is Marriage Only Between A Man And A Woman?

Marriage is Between a Man and a Woman
Photo by Dejanristovski

This post and topic has been featured on a radio interview from Freedom Doors Ministries and you can listen to that interview by Clicking Here.

We live in a day and culture where marriage is something that it never used to be. What used to be something guarded and sacred is now unprotected and ungodly. Even the definition of marriage is up for grabs for whatever seems to be the most popular in any given year or decade. Most of our culture would prefer not to even get married and just live together. When subjects like these tend to spiral out of control, how are we supposed to make sense of it? What is marriage and is it only between one man and one woman?

These are questions that we need to answer. Can you imagine if there was no answer or definition of marriage, what that would look like? It seems that it would constantly change its meaning and sway in one direction or another based on popular opinion. Is that what’s happening in our culture and in our nation today?

Is marriage only between a man and a woman? Before we answer that, let’s look at some popular viewpoints on marriage and help bring clarity to what a real marriage is.

Same-Sex Marriage

This type of marriage can be defined as a man marrying another man or a woman marrying another woman. Most of the battles in favor of this is to allow two men (or two women) to have spousal benefits and parenting rights and not to discriminate against them since these were only previously available in marriages with one man and one woman.

In 2004, Massachusetts was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage over spousal benefits and parenting rights. What happened next was a spark across the country of people stepping up in order to receive the same benefits in marriage and to express their love for one another.

Plural Marriage

Plural marriage (also known as polygamy) has been around for quite some time, but is only gaining traction lately because of the legal victories of same-sex marriage. This is where a man can have multiple wives or a woman can have multiple husbands. One of the many thoughts behind this is why just have one man or one woman when you can have multiple?

We shouldn’t be surprised by this and should more than likely expect the laws of the land to legalize plural marriage across the nation not too long from now. Reason being that as we legalize same-sex marriage in the name of not discriminating others and allowing them to have spousal benefits, where can you draw the line? It opens the doors for many types of “marriages” and this is something I believe we will start seeing very soon.

Real Marriage

To define real marriage, we must turn to the Bible. The Bible is 100% truth. Yes, men wrote down the words but the Holy Spirit led them the entire way making it absolutely perfect (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Peter 1:21). It has never been proven wrong and it never will be. So in the midst of a culture where the definition of marriage is all over the place, we must turn to scripture. Let’s let the Bible do the talking.

To define real marriage, we must turn to the Bible, which is 100% truth.

The first marriage in human history came from Adam and Eve. God made it clear in the beginning when there were only two people, one male and one female, that man would leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife (Genesis 2:22-24). From the very beginning, God created us male and female and made mention that as we become married as male and female, man can not separate it (Mark 10:6-9).

Marriage is between a man and a woman, only. Even in regards to temptation the Bible speaks about how each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband (1 Corinthians 7:2). There is no such thing as a same-sex, plural, or any other type of marriage in the Bible except for one that is only between one man and one woman.

Loving Others Instead Of Condemning Them

It’s important to note even though we find ourselves in a culture that doesn’t value the things of God or respect the way He has created and designed things (marriage, value of life, our world, our bodies, etc.), that doesn’t give us the right to not love others.

Christians who believe what the Bible says about marriage can often slip into condemning others when sin is present and people are engaging in marriage that isn’t Biblical. As followers of Christ, we must remember that we love others because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) and that every life has value in the sight of God.

Since we are forgiven through the finished work of Jesus, how could we not love others including those who practice same-sex marriage or plural marriage? There will be all sorts of marriages down the road and the way we love people and build relationships with them shouldn’t be any different. We shouldn’t be shocked that we live in a culture that practices intolerance as the new tolerance.

On top of that, if people aren’t following Christ or believing in anything the Bible says, why would we expect them to treat marriage the way God tells us to? If they wouldn’t agree God is the creator of life, then surely they wouldn’t agree that God is the creator of marriage.

Yes, marriage is only between one man and one woman, period. That’s what the Bible says and the Bible is the authority. That’s what God says and He is the creator and designer of marriage so I think He knows what’s best and how it all works. That’s the only way marriage and families work and we’ll continue to see that play out as real marriages will produce real families and other marriages will produce major consequences within families.

This is the time for the Church to be bold and speak up about what real marriage is in a day where the definition can be confusing to so many. These are the moments all of us as believers need to love and minister to those who don’t have an accurate understanding of marriage. Before we write someone off with their sin, let’s remember just how sinful we still are and how much all of us need Jesus.

Here are other Frequently Asked Questions and how the Bible answers them.

Questions: How would you define marriage? Do you think it’s only between one man & one woman? Please comment below and join the conversation.

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Mike Mobley
Follower of Christ, Husband to Joelle, Father to Peyton & Matthew, Finance & Operations Minister at 121 Community Church, SAG-AFTRA Actor, Founder of Before The Cross, Owner of MMWCS, and Podcast Host for the Not Quite There Show.

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Paul Fishman
Paul Fishman
2 years ago

Yes, Marriage and the sexual bond in it WAS created by God in Christ and is meant only for this for love and produce a family for future generations. Unfortunately the LGTBQ agenda with Same Sex Marriage is to replace marriage between a man and a woman for two men and two women. In addition they state that marriage is NO longer a divine institution but a legal institution set up by humanistic government. In the long term same sex marriage will replace natural marriage and say it is unnatural forsaking the normal affections created by God for pornographic hot… Read more »

GBS
GBS
3 years ago

to refer to Adam and Eve in Genesis as the source for marriage being only between a man and a woman is misleading. It ignores the thousands of years that God condoned marriage as between a man and women..The actual concept of marriage being between one man and one woman is derived from Greek pagan practices not Judaic law or practices..

Dominik
Dominik
3 years ago

Hi Mike, I’m a new christian and I’ve been reading about this topic lately. My question is specifically, when the bible says that marriage is between a man and a woman, it doesn’t really say that it is “only” between them. That word isn’t used in the bible. Don’t you think it’s a stretch to jump from “marriage is between a man and a woman” to “marriage is only between a man and a woman”? I mean it’s not the same thing. I think you could categorize commandments in the Bible into three categories You shall do “X” (is silent… Read more »

Dominik
Dominik
Reply to  Mike Mobley
3 years ago

Hi Mike, Thanks for the answer. As a new christian, I have not read the bible yet, though I am planning on doing so. I think I would understand better what the bible means by biblical marriage if I read the parts talking about marriage in their context. What I’m still a bit confused about (and correct me if I’m wrong), it’s that it seems to me that the whole topic of marriage between men and women and between same-sex partners is not clearly defined as in “A marriage is only between a man and a woman”. That would be… Read more »

Robert Brew
Robert Brew
4 years ago

I have question. If god made marriage between man and woman, why do people have same sex attractions? Also, is it a sin to be gay or in a gay relationship?

Strve
Strve
5 years ago

I have a question two people who have lost there spouses through sickness and fall in love. Is it considered a sin to move in together and have a relationship without marriage ?

Steve
Steve
Reply to  Mike Mobley
5 years ago

Thanks for responding.

Dolores J Bender
Dolores J Bender
5 years ago

Yes I believe that marriage is only between a man and a woman

Bart Trahan
Bart Trahan
5 years ago

I’m not agreeing or disagreeing with you about marriage, but there is something in Christian text, and probably all religious texts, that bothers me. If I write a book, and in that book I write something that says that everything in this book is true, that doesn’t make it true. So, including a verse that says all of the other verses are inspired by the Hand of God, that verse I wrote was still written by me, and has no more weight than anything else I wrote. You can have Faith and Believe it was inspired by God, but just… Read more »

Rob Larson
Rob Larson
Reply to  Mike Mobley
5 years ago

I find it hard to believe a man fashioned the Bible from his own mind. The Bible has 66 books in it. It was pinned by different men in different times over several thousand years. Yet, somehow it has no contradictions in it. This is vastly different than the Quran or the Book of Mormon for instance.
It seems to me the evidence for the infallibility of the Bible is pretty strong in comparison to any other religious text out there. That’s my 2 cents on the issue.
Also, this was an inspiring article. Thank you for the read.

Lawrence Martire
Lawrence Martire
5 years ago

So why are so many people in your churches on their second or third wives? Because that’s what Jesus is actually condemning in Matthew 19:4–6 and Mark 10:6–9.

GBS
GBS
Reply to  Mike Mobley
3 years ago

Jesus plainly stated what was adultery, and marriage with someone who’s spouse is still living is such. In the same passages of the OT where homosexuality is said to be condemned, The penalty for adultery is specified. If one is to be enforced then the other needs to be also..Otherwise, you are rewriting the bible which you are forbidden to do up on the penalty of death.

Ernest Brown
Ernest Brown
5 years ago

The bible is 100% right, and i base my life up on it’s preceipts. Marriage is between one man and one woman as stated in Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful, and fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth.” This is nature, All others sexual acts are not godly; but those who commit them we must show love to them and yet be truthful to them when opportunities present it self.

Darlene
Darlene
6 years ago

Yes I do believe that God put man and woman together. other wise how can 2 men or 2 women make babies? they can’t so they adopt and the child see that this is the way of life and see no sin in it. This world is so mest up the eyes are blinded by sin . There’s no way to fix it. All we can do is to pray for those people. The world , the waters, will love its own, and we as christ like have no place with the world. This is why we need to continue… Read more »

Fransiscus Fendrian
Fransiscus Fendrian
6 years ago

Thank you for the amazing explanation. God has a great plan for you.

Peter
Peter
Reply to  Mike Mobley
6 years ago

I’m somewhat confused. because if we read the bible it says in Genesis God created them Male & Female. Which is where Religious Institutions based their view about Marriage. Here’s the question: How about those who are born as Intersex? Where are they written in Genesis? if God only created Male & Female? Now they say Genesis was just a generalization, there were many other species etc. that were created and were not mentioned. And they say Intersex is stated in the New Testament where the Ethiopian Eunuch gets baptized. So which one should we follow? When they say marriage… Read more »

Richard Cesta
Richard Cesta
Reply to  Mike Mobley
4 years ago

You people keep talking about same sex marriage! Most people who keep talking about have a problem themselves. Most ministers who condemn gays are gay themselves. Look at the news! We all have come short to the glory of God and none of us follow the Bible 100%. Should we still have slavery? Should women continue to bow down the their husbands, should children be beaten when they don’t listen? Do you give everything you have to the poor? Common be real. Don’t judge!!!

Richard Cesta
Richard Cesta
Reply to  Mike Mobley
4 years ago

Thank you for the response Mike! I do enjoy your reading your articles especially on being humble! God bless you in all you do!

Mayank Verma
Mayank Verma
6 years ago

Same sex marriage should be concidered a crime. It’s completely disgusting and should not be practiced by ANY church.

Darlene
Darlene
Reply to  Mike Mobley
6 years ago

yes the world needs to see Christ in us.

Tracy
Tracy
Reply to  Mike Mobley
5 years ago

Mike, Thank you for being respectful and demonstrating how to be respectful. Have a blessed day.

Darlene
Darlene
Reply to  Mayank Verma
6 years ago

I think the same way as you do. Its a sickness in the mind. It should be done away with. but as we read the world of God wrong is right and right is wrong.
we do live in a messed up world. We need to stay in the truth (the Bible) then
we will know what side we are on. Remember the world hate’s us as they hate Christ. we hate the sin but not the sinner. God Bless

Tracy
Tracy
Reply to  Darlene
5 years ago

Darlene, “it should be done away with”. What exactly does that mean? How can you conclude it is a sickness? I believe you misunderstand freedom of speech for ignorance because those very comments display your ignorance about a homosexual relationship. God loves all, not only heterosexuals. You can not pick and choose what is right or wrong based on the Bible, that is not how it works. So unless you live a life of perfection and free of sin (which Jesus did not), then maybe re-evaluate how you can make this world a better place by being a decent human… Read more »

ELI
ELI
Reply to  Tracy
5 years ago

Thank you for this because believe it or not MANY gay ppl go online searching for understanding. Even to sites like this and when they read comments like that it shows them that Jesus is not the same Jesus ppl come to know. They run the other way. SO unless you walked in their shoes, do not assume all gays are to be “done” away with. I have met MANY gay people who are more on fire than any other heterosexual christian. DON’T GET IT TWISTED. Many gays understand the bible and understand what it says. We forget God is… Read more »

Tracy
Tracy
Reply to  Mayank Verma
5 years ago

Mayank, church is about praising God and learning how to be good individual in this world, not hate. God does not teach hate. Please re-evaluate your hateful words and learn how to be a better Christian by not judging others.

Alan Norris
Alan Norris
6 years ago

Good post. Love wins.

Damien Howell
Damien Howell
6 years ago

2 species was created only when one is with the other can we multiply no other way that union is special for all the right reasons it’s obvious what’s defined true marriage

Mike Mobley
Mike Mobley
Reply to  Damien Howell
6 years ago

Thanks for reading and for sharing Damien.

Keith Ainsworth
Keith Ainsworth
6 years ago

Where in the bible to Jesu actually condemn same sex marriage?I have read where others did, Paul for example, but never Jesus.

Mike Mobley
Mike Mobley
Reply to  Keith Ainsworth
6 years ago

Hey Keith, thanks for the question.

Jesus addresses and defines marriage in Matthew 19:4–6 and Mark 10:6–9 using both Genesis 1:26–27 and Genesis 2:24. Here Jesus defines and affirms marriage as between a man and a woman. With this definition, same-sex marriage is excluded. Jesus never discussed same-sex marriage because the way he defined marriage already excluded it.

Allie
Allie
7 years ago

I think you forgot to read the bible. There absolutely IS polygamous marriage in the bible. All over the place.
I don’t think your god appreciates your lies. Especially since you’re lying about “his” scripture.

Mike Mobley
Mike Mobley
Reply to  Allie
7 years ago

Appreciate you sharing your opinion Allie. I’m sure you can tell from the post but we would disagree and we believe from what the Bible teaches on, that marriages is between one man and one woman. Thanks again for sharing.

cassie
cassie
10 years ago

How do you handle this if you’re a lesbian who a) has not EVER acted on it at all and never plans to and b) is REALLY grossed out at the idea of doing anything with a male when your parents/friends/church is constantly pressuring you to date? In high school, I got away with not dating because I wasn’t allowed to but I was bummed out that I couldn’t hae male friends. (Trust me, I saw them as brothers, I always dressed appropriately, and the males in my school (if they ever talked about sex and women) never talked about… Read more »

Mike Mobley
Mike Mobley
Reply to  cassie
10 years ago

Thanks Cassie for sharing your thoughts and questions, appreciate you being vulnerable in this. There’s no quick answer to your questions and it’s a tough situation you’re in..especially with the Church acting the way it is (in your writing) and with people outside of the Church acting the way they are. Instead of me answering you in a way that puts the focus on those other things, let’s talk about you specifically since that’s the best route to take. I would start with this. Who is Jesus to you? Are you following Christ? Meaning, in everything you do, are you… Read more »

Peter
Peter
Reply to  cassie
6 years ago

i’m sorry but just my opinion. for me, it seems you’re asexual based on what i read?

steve poirot
steve poirot
10 years ago

How do you deal with the fact of People like Solomon having multiple wives?

Mike Mobley
Mike Mobley
Reply to  steve poirot
10 years ago

Just because Solomon had many wives, doesn’t mean God approved of his behavior. In fact, in Deuteronomy 17:16-17, God talked about not doing that.

It’s the same with many examples in Scripture where sinful men acted in sinful ways…that doesn’t mean just because it’s in the Bible..that God approves it. We should take this opportunity to examine Scripture as a whole to get the context and really understand what God is telling us.

Great question, appreciate the comment!

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