The Open Heaven 17 October 2025 devotional for today is WHOM TO MARRY.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 17 OCTOBER 2025 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: WHOM TO MARRY
MEMORISE:
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 7:20
READ: 2 Corinthians 6:14-16:
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.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 17 OCTOBER 2025 TODAY MESSAGE
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: 46
‘…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
Christians who are not yet married should be careful of whom they marry.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Mark 10-11
HYMN 33: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH!
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 17 OCTOBER 2025 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Matthew 7:20
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
This is the ultimate litmus test for any relationship, especially marriage. It instructs us to look beyond mere words or appearances and to make discerning judgments based on the consistent evidence of a person’s character, lifestyle, and spiritual state.
BIBLE READING: 2 Corinthians 6:14-16
This passage contains a non-negotiable divine command and its logical reasoning:
v. 14: The Command: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers…”
v. 14-15: The Reasoning: There is no fellowship, communion, agreement, or part between righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial.
v. 16: The Core Issue: “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God…” Your body is a temple; do not unite it with an idolater.
The Sacred Imperative of a Godly Marriage
Pastor E.A. Adeboye delivers a critical, practical, and spiritually vital message on the most important human relationship: marriage. This teaching is a safeguard against a lifetime of regret and spiritual compromise, emphasizing that marriage is not just a social contract but a spiritual covenant that must be built on a shared foundation of faith.
The Danger of Being Unequally Yoked
- A Fundamental Misalignment: A believer is standing on the Solid Rock (Christ); an unbeliever is standing on miry clay (the world). Any attempt to join them creates a dangerous imbalance where the one on unstable ground will inevitably pull the other down (1 Corinthians 10:12).
- The Illusion of Change: The hope of converting a spouse after marriage is a dangerous deception. People rarely change core beliefs after marriage; in fact, the pressures of marriage often intensify pre-existing traits.
- The Confusion of Traits: Niceness, courtesy, financial stability, or attractiveness are not fruits of the Spirit. They are personality traits that can exist independently of a born-again spirit. Do not mistake common grace for saving grace.
The Profile of the Wrong Spouse
Beyond just an unbeliever, the devotional warns against marrying:
- The Uncorrectable: Someone who “refuseth instruction” (Proverbs 15:32). This is a person characterized by pride and an inability to submit to authority. If they won’t listen to anyone else, they will not listen to you.
- The Unsubmissive: A person with no spiritual authority figure in their life. This indicates a rebellious heart that will resist God-ordained order in the home.
- The Immature Christian: A believer who is stagnant, carnal, and more attached to the world than to spiritual things. This person cannot sharpen you (Proverbs 27:17); they will only dull your spiritual edge and become a burden rather than a helper.
The Biblical Standard for the Right Spouse
The right partner is one who:
- Is a Genuine Believer: This is the absolute baseline, non-negotiable requirement.
- Bears Good Fruit (Matthew 7:20): Their life consistently exhibits the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- Is Spiritually Mature and Growing: They are actively pursuing a deeper relationship with Christ, are accountable to spiritual authority, and are committed to their local church.
- Accepts Correction: They have a humble and teachable spirit, understanding that reproof is a path to understanding (Proverbs 15:32).
The Consequences of Disobedience
- Spiritual Compromise: Constant tension between your faith and your spouse’s worldview.
- Emotional Torment: A deep sense of being alone in your most important relationship.
- “Hell on Earth”: A life of strife, regret, and spiritual defeat instead of the “heaven on earth” God intends for a godly marriage.
Conclusion: Choose Wisely, Pray Diligently
Pray this:
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your clear instruction on marriage. Give me the discernment to recognize the right person by their fruit. Guard my heart from deception and emotional compromise. I commit my future spouse to You. Prepare me to be a godly partner and lead me to someone who is firmly standing on the Solid Rock, growing in spiritual maturity, and with whom I can build a covenant that glorifies You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Action Steps:
- Make a List: Based on this devotional, write down the non-negotiable biblical qualities you require in a spouse.
- Seek Counsel: Involve your spiritual leaders and mature believers in your decision-making process. Do not rely solely on your emotions.
- Observe Fruit: In any relationship, prioritize observing character and spiritual maturity over feelings and external attributes.
- Trust God’s Timing: It is infinitely better to wait on God for the right person than to rush into a covenant with the wrong one.
Remember: Marriage is a lifetime covenant, not a temporary experiment. Your choice of a spouse is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make, with eternal consequences. Let God’s Word, not your emotions, be your guide.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers…” (2 Corinthians 6:14). This is not a suggestion; it is a command for your protection and prosperity.
Read RCCG Open Heaven Devotional for Tomorrow
Download Open Heaven 17 October 2025 Devotional PDF
Leave a Reply