Fresh Anointing for Marriages and Godly Partnerships

I generally don’t begin with a disclaimer, but today I must.

When it comes to marriages and Godly partnerships, I cannot say I have had a great track record. That’s not because I don’t recognise the importance of these unions, or because I haven’t tried. 

I come making no excuses for my failures. I am here to learn, as I am still alive. Amen. I trust that those of you who have had wonderful experiences will be able to share as we go along today. Even those who have not had such wonderful experiences can also share, because we live and we learn. Correct?

So one of the first things that came to mind as I studied this topic - Fresh Anointing for Marriages and Godly Partnerships - was that oil and water can’t mix. 

The phrase is a popular one, often used to describe two things that are incompatible or cannot be united. While the Bible doesn’t use this exact metaphor, there are scriptures that speak to the idea of incompatibility between opposing forces, values, or behaviours. 

2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV warns “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”

James 3:11-12 “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.”

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”

So in effect, any two people who expect to walk in one accord, must align their values, beliefs, and purposes, ensuring they are united in spirit and in purpose. As the Bible says in Amos 3:3, "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" 

So husbands and wives, friends, business partners, and any relationship where cooperation and mutual respect are foundational, if we are to walk or work in harmony, there must be mutual agreement and shared vision. And of course we are speaking from a Christian perspective. Anything else we know, even if it seems to be working right now, won’t last.

Now, according to the Bible, marriage is a divine covenant between a man and a woman, established by God to reflect unity, love, and mutual support.

Genesis 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Matthew 19:5-6 “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh... what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

As it relates to Godly partnerships, my understanding it that a Godly partnership is one rooted in mutual respect, love, and agreement in serving God’s purposes. So a Godly partnership must be one that acknowledges God’s presence, guidance, and purpose in the union, whether romantic, platonic, professional or otherwise.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?”

So again, oil and water can’t mix. But as a caveat, I add that it is important to know which or who is oil and which or who is water. I’ll leave that there.

Based of what was said before, do we understand the seriousness of relationships? The importance God places of unity, harmony, togetherness, marriage?

Then we would also understand why we need a fresh anointing, a renewed outpouring of God’s presence, guidance, and power, in our marriages, friendships, partnerships.

Some of us have been in some messy relationships and looking back, I am sure we can understand why they either didn’t work out or we are still struggling.

Family, God desires order, holiness, and obedience in our lives. By His very nature, He cannot  bless situations or actions that are contrary to His will or that involve sin, chaos, or disorder. God blesses obedience, purity, and alignment with His purposes.

So just as the anointing of God empowers individuals for His purposes, it also  reenergizes and strengthens relationships. Marriages and Godly partnerships work best when they are continuously refreshed by the Holy Spirit. 

Bringing up the mistakes of the past or gloating over some old victory over one another, doesn’t help a fledgling situation.

I once met a man who said that he and his wife never argued. I found that hard to believe but admired them anyway. But I believe that every marriage and Godly partnership faces challenges. People are different and so we would bow to certain pressures. We would have misunderstandings, and don’t talk about spiritual attacks, where the enemy sees something good happening and wants to destroy it. 

Hence the need for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit regularly, to ensure that our relationships remain filled with grace, patience, love, and wisdom.

Psalm 67 verse 1 reminds us that God is the source of renewal. “God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil.”

I chuckle because I can look back at my failed relationships and recall honestly that they all started with some enthusiasm. Romance novels and movies have it where people get married after hating one another. But that has not been my case. Some of you maybe can relate.

But as we go through relationships and differences arise, and frustrations creep in, we are encouraged to seek a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit to take us through.

It is unfortunate that when we get in the heat of an argument for example, that we forget that we are two people who actually love each other and who are Christians.

Psalm 133:1-2 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.”

When there is unity in marriage and Godly partnerships, this is a sign of God’s blessing. But this can only happen when two people step out of their flesh and submit to God’s Spirit. That’s the only way we can experience supernatural peace, wisdom, and understanding.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us that a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

I don’t have to tell you. We know. The enemy targets marriages and Godly partnerships because they reflect God’s design. We must not yield to the enemy’s tricks Family. We have to fight for our marriages and Godly partnerships as Christians. 

Many times only one person is fighting while the other is off being wild. But once the other person is fighting on their knees, we can rest assured that we are not fighting alone and God will get the glory. Amen?!

A fresh anointing today Family, for marriages and Godly partnerships. We need this anointing to come against division, pride, and temptation.

 Some relationships have been broken to the point of no return where people have moved on. Some relationships are hanging on by a thread. Some people are in relationships and wearing a mask, pretending that all is well.

Whatever the situation, we place all of our relationships before Almighty God today, asking Him to be the third cord in our partnerships, so that our relationships become unbreakable.

We remember that a fresh anointing is not a one-time event but a daily renewal. 

By seeking God’s presence, walking in love, and guarding against spiritual attacks, marriages and partnerships can thrive. 

May we continually seek a fresh outpouring of His Spirit so that our relationships reflect His glory. Amen.

aub - 10Feb25

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