The lesson of this day's indoctrination was centered on the couples' relationship with respect to prayers. Bro Eli Soriano explained to us that the way we relate with each other as couples affect the possibility of our prayers being answered. To have our prayers answered as couples we must dwell with each according to the doctrines of Jesus Christ. Husbands have to dwell with their wives in accordance with the Word of God. Also, wives should be submissive and respectful to their husbands. Some of the Bible passages that Bro Eli used to explain God's expectations to us as couples are:
1 Peter 3:5-7(KJV) For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered._**
From this passage we learned that women should adorn themselves with subjection to their own husbands. They should follow the examples of the holy women in the Bible. Like the daughters of Sarah who obeyed Abraham, her husband in subjection and humility.
Also, husbands are to dwell with their wives in knowledge. They are to give honour unto their wives knowing that they are the weaker vessels. Also, husbands should bear in mind that their wives are heirs together with them of the grace of life. This we are to do so that our prayers will not be hindered. This means that husbands should dwell in knowledge with their wives, loving and giving honour to them. Wives, on the other hand, should adorn themselves with subjection and obey their husbands.
1 Peter 3:10 (KJV) For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
James 3:6-7 (KJV) And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
Bro Eli Soriano cautioned us from the scriptures to be mindful of what we say to each other as couples. We should not speak guile to each other. We should speak abusive words to one another. We are even told that we should stop speaking evil and also refrain from speaking guile if we love life and desire to see better days.
Bro Eli Soriano also let us know that the tongue is so destructive and full of evil. Taming the tongue is not easy. As couples we should caution ourselves in the way we speak to each other. We should use our tongues wisely.
Proverbs 31:26 (KJV) She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Women should open their mouths with wisdom. Kindness should be exemplified in the way they speak. Not only women, all of us couples should speak kind words and speak with wisdom.
1 Corinthians 7:4-5 (KJV) The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
In a sexual relationship, Bro Eli Soriano told us to submit bodies to each other without defrauding each other. If we desire to go on fasting, we should do it on consent from each other. The husband as well as the wife should not keep his/her body from each other.
Isaiah 58:6-7 (KJV) Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
On fasting, we should loose those we have locked in our hearts by unforgiveness when we are fasting. We should let go of the burdens of evil thoughts and grievances. We should show mercy to the oppressed. We should give food to the hungry. We should give out our substance to meet the needs of the poor. We should give clothes to those who don't have them. All these things we should do when we are fasting.
Matthew 6:17 (KJV) But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
When we are fasting, we should not do it to be seen by men. Fasting is our personal sacrifice unto God not for men to see and pity us. Fasting should not be announced. It should not be done with carnal feelings. Fasting should be done in secrets between ourselves and God. Couples should fast with consent from each other.
1 Corinthians 11:3-6 (KJV) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
Another important aspect of prayers involving couples is that of covering their heads. The men should not cover their heads during prayers. This is the biblical principle. The Bible says it is dishonouring for a man to cover his head during prayers.
The woman should cover their heads during prayers. The woman who does not cover her head during prayers dishonours her head.
Ephesians 5:25 (KJV) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
This is one of the cardinal points in couples' relationships. Husbands should love their wives like Christ loved the church. We husbands are to love our wives as ourselves. The way we wish we ourselves should be treated, let us treat our wives like that.
Proverbs 18:22 (KJV) Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.