Open Heavens 17 October 2025 Friday – Whom To Marry

MEMORISE: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:20

READ: 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 Open Heavens 17 October 2025

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Open Heavens 17 October 2025

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 10-11

MESSAGE: – Open Heavens 17 October 2025 Friday Daily Devotional

Today’s Bible reading says that you should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers; hence, Christians should not get married to unbelievers. If Christians get themselves yoked in marriage with unbelievers, thinking they can change them, they are only deceiving themselves. People who refuse to change before marriage hardly ever change after marriage. It is also important to note that being nice or courteous is not the same thing as being born again.

As a child of God, you are standing on God, the Solid Rock. An unbeliever, on the other hand, is standing on miry clay. When you are standing on a rock, and you are holding somebody who is standing on miry clay, the chances are very high that the fellow standing on miry clay will cause you to either stumble or fall completely because he or she is standing on slippery ground. This is what happens with many believers who think they can change their unbelieving partners. Their partners will, more often than not, cause them to stumble and fall, and they might end up losing their faith in the process. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:12 “…let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

Also, Christians who are not yet married should not marry people who stubbornly refuse to listen to corrections and make necessary changes in their actions or behaviours. The Bible says in Proverbs 15:32: “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.” If you are a Christian who is not yet married, don’t marry someone who doesn’t have an authority figure that he or she listens and submits to. Anyone who does not listen to anybody or submit to anyone will not listen to you either.

Also, it is not advisable for a believer to marry an immature Christian. It is better for a believer to marry someone who has attained a level of spiritual maturity and is constantly growing so they can sharpen each other. Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17 If you are not yet married, do not marry a carnal Christian because such a fellow’s attachment to the things of the world rather than spiritual things can also cause you to stumble and fall.

Beloved, marrying the right person is like experiencing heaven on earth. However, if a fellow marries the wrong person, he or she will experience hell on earth.

Key Point – Open Heavens 17 October 2025

Christians who are not yet married should be careful of whom they marry.

Open Heavens 17 October 2025 Friday Commentary

Praise the Lord.

Our topic for today once more is whom to marry. Beloved, today’s devotional reveals to us that one of the most important decisions anyone can ever make after giving their life to Christ is the choice of a life partner. It is important for us to know that marriage is not just a social contract. It is not just an ordinary agreement. It is a spiritual covenant, one that joins two destinies together. When a believer joins in marriage with an unbeliever or with someone who lacks spiritual maturity, we learn from today’s study that it becomes a yoke that drains rather than strengthens. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 6:14, which is part of our text for today, that be not unequally yolked together with unbelievers.

It says, “For what fellowship had righteousness with unrighteousness, and what communion had light with darkness?” When God instructs us, it is important for us to know that he is not trying to restrict our happiness. He is trying to preserve our faith. God knows that the person you marry can either draw you closer to him or pull you far away from him. In today’s study, we see the danger of unequal yolks. When a believer marries an unbeliever, it is like joining a horse and a camel in the same yoke. We know what a yoke is. You’d often see yolks used when you have animals put together for the sake of plowing. That yoke keeps them together. They can easily be controlled that way. They can also move in the same direction. they can achieve more and that way the result of their work can be noticeable and appreciated. Did you notice also that that sounds like God’s intention for us in marriage? He wants us to be under his canopy. He wants to speak to us and we both understand and obey. He wants us to move in the same direction. He wants us to achieve great things together. Hallelujah.

However, imagine a horse and a camel in the same yoke. They do not fit. They do not have the same kind of energy. Their purposes and use are very different. And I believe they would most likely even destroy that yoke or get themselves wounded. When two people, a believer and an unbeliever, join themselves in the yoke of marriage, you know what to expect. So while the believer walks by faith, the unbeliever walks by sight. While the believer depends on prayer, the unbeliever depends on human wisdom, human strength, human capacity. Eventually, there would be conflict at the foundation of the home. We remember the story of King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived. And we see how his life played out. Solomon started out with deep devotion to God. But he married many women from nations that did not worship the Lord. These wives turned his heart away from the Lord and he began to serve idols. The result was disastrous. Israel fell into idolatry and his kingdom was divided after his death.

Beloved, if Solomon, a man blessed with divine wisdom, could be led astray by ungodly partnerships, how much more the ordinary believer who ignores God’s counsel today. One other lesson we learned from today’s study is the importance of marrying a teachable and submissive partner. We are being admonished in today’s study to avoid people who despise correction. Proverbs 15:32, like we see in today’s study, tells us, “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul. But he that heareth reprove getth understanding.” A believer who refuses to be corrected will eventually cause pain and conflict in marriage.

In 1st Samuel chapter 25, the story of Abigail and Nabbal. Neabbal was a man who was described as foolish and harsh. When David sent men to greet him peacefully, Nabal responded rudely and it nearly cost him his life. The wisdom of Abigail his wife was what saved the situation. Beloved, if a person is not teachable before marriage, do not deceive yourself into thinking that marriage will change them. Our father in the Lord already makes us understand that many people who do not change before marriage do not later change in marriage. That is because marriage amplifies character. It does not correct it. You must ensure that the one you plan to marry is humble that he or she is accountable and submissive to authority first to God and then to godly counsel too. We also cannot over emphasise the importance of spiritual maturity like we see in today’s study. It is dangerous to marry a spiritually immature Christian. Maturity in Christ is not measured by age or how long you have been in church, but by submission to God’s word and sensitivity to his spirit. When one partner is cannal and the other is spiritual, there would likely be friction in decision making and lifestyle. You also remember the story of Ananas and Sapphira. There were a married couple who agreed together to lie to the Holy Spirit.

Their own shared canality because that’s what we can call it brought sudden death. If one of them had been spiritually alert, the tragedy could probably have been avoided. They agreed together. They were one. They were united, but not in a way that pleased God. When a couple unites together, when they are both spiritually mature, it helps them pray together. It helps them resist temptation together. It helps them grow together. No wonder scripture tells us that iron sharpened iron. Two mature believers will sharpen each other and build a home where Christ reigns supreme. One of the things that we see today is many people getting into marriages just for the sake of being married. Many people are tired of being single. So they feel well let’s just get married and they eventually get married to just anyone available. That could be a recipe for disaster.

Let God be the one to lead you. When God is the one who joins two people, peace becomes the atmosphere of their home. Genesis chapter 24 shows us this clearly in the story of Isaac and Rebecca. Abraham’s servant prayed for divine direction and God led him to the right woman. No wonder scripture makes us understand that that union brought comfort into Isaac’s life. Our father and the Lord tells us clearly in today’s study that marrying the right person is like stepping into heaven on earth. Full of peace, full of joy and divine progress. However, we also learned that marrying the wrong person can feel like stepping into a lifetime of pain, a lifetime of regret. That is why you must let God choose for you. Forever till death do you path is too much of a long time to endure marriage because of the choice of a wrong partner. So, let God choose for you.

In summary, today’s study admonishes believers not to marry unbelievers, especially with the hope to change them. We are made to understand that unequal yolks always end in spiritual conflict. We are also made to understand that believers should not marry someone who despises correction or lacks submission. We are also told to choose partners who are spiritually mature and growing in faith. We are also made to understand today the importance of letting God guide us in our choice through prayer, patience and his word. Because when he chooses for you, peace and joy will flow in that union.

So beloved, marriage is not only about love. It is also about destiny. It can either draw you closer to God or push you away from him. Before you say I do, ask yourself, will this person help me serve God better? If the answer is no, then you should probably wait. It is better to wait long for God’s choice than to rush into regret. Whom you marry can either be foil to your fire, pushing you in the direction of your God-given destiny or they can be the fire extinguisher that extinguishes the fire of God’s purpose over your life. It is a very serious matter. I would like us at this point to bow our heads and appreciate the Lord. Say, “Father, thank you for the gift of marriage. He is the originator of it.” Say, “Father, we are grateful. Thank you for the divine plans and purposes that you had in mind for the inception of marriage.” Receive our thanks in the name of Jesus. Now ask the Lord, say, “Father, please guide me to make the right choices in marriage in Jesus’ name.” Maybe you are yet to be married or you know someone who is still trusting God.

Also, ask the Lord today. Say, “Father, please guide me. Guide my brother, guide my sibling, guide my friend, guide them oh Lord to make the right choices in marriage in Jesus’ name. They will not make mistakes. They will not fall into the trap of the enemy in the name of Jesus. Also ask the Lord today say Lord deliver me from every emotional attachment that could lead me outside your will in Jesus name. If there’s any connection, any unequal yoke that I may be in, ask the Lord today. Say, “Father, please separate me from any of such in the name of Jesus.” Disconnect me from them. Detach me from them in the name of Jesus. In the same vein, you can pray for yourself or for others who are trusting the Lord. Say, “Father, grant me discernment to identify a godly, mature, and spiritfilled partner in the name of Jesus.” Ask the Lord today. Say, “Father, grant me the grace for spiritual discernment that beyond what it is that meets the eye, you’d grant me spiritual insight of your choice for me in the name of Jesus. For those who are married, please pray for those who are still in the valley of decision.

Those who are yet to make the choice of a life partner, say, “Father, help them, lead them, guide them. Let your children locate themselves in the name of Jesus. Lead them by your spirit into your divine choice for them in the name of Jesus. Now ask the Lord also say Lord where I may have made mistakes. Maybe you are already married. Ask him today. Say father please show me mercy in the name of Jesus. Say help me Lord help me. Come through for me oh Lord. Grant unto me wisdom and every virtue I need to make the most of my marriage in the name of Jesus. Now ask the Lord also. Say, “Father, let my marriage be a reflection of heaven on earth, full of peace and purpose.” In the name of Jesus, let us fulfil your divine plan for our lives. In the name of Jesus, let us be iron sharpening iron in the name of Jesus. Maybe you know someone, you know, you know a couple who need divine intervention in their marriage. Bring them before the Lord today. Say, “Father, breathe peace upon their home.” declare over their marriage say in the name of Jesus peace be still. Let every storm be stealed. Let every troubled waters be made calm in the name of Jesus. Let their homes also become a reflection of heaven on earth in the name of Jesus. Begin to bless the name of the Lord and thank him for answers to prayers. Just worship him and give him thanks. Father, we honor you. We worship you. Blessed be your name. Thank you for hearing us when we call. In Jesus’ name we have prayed. Amen.

Our faithful father, we thank you for your word to us today. Thank you for delighting in giving to us beautiful marriages. We pray oh lord for as many who are yet to make this choice that you would lead and direct them rightly in the name of Jesus. For as many who made a wrong choice, we ask oh Lord that you who is able to do all things will breathe life upon their marriages. You would cause your peace to reign in their homes and they too would be a testimony in the name of Jesus. For as many who are enjoying their blessed marriages, we ask oh Lord that the joy, the peace and the understanding you have put in their midst would last forever. Let their laughter be permanent in Jesus’ name. Thank you our dear father. In Jesus mighty name we have prayed. Amen.

Open Heavens 17 October 2025 Friday Hymn

HYMN 28: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

1 Guide me, O my great Redeemer,

pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak, but you are mighty;

hold me with your powerful hand.

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,

feed me now and evermore,

feed me now and evermore.

2 Open now the crystal fountain,

where the healing waters flow.

Let the fire and cloudy pillar

lead me all my journey through.

Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,

ever be my strength and shield,

ever be my strength and shield.

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,

bid my anxious fears subside.

Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,

land me safe on Canaan’s side.

Songs of praises, songs of praises

I will ever sing to you,

I will ever sing to you.

That is all for Open Heavens 17 October 2025 Friday, do consider bookmarking this site for your Open heavens daily devotionals, and if you missed yesterday’s Devotional, click to read Open Heavens 16 October 2025 Thursday and may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continue to keep us all. Open Heavens 17 October 2025 Friday. Please comment and share what you have learnt; you might be a blessing to others