A survey was done interviewing married men and women. The intention was to know the priority of the relationship between a married man and woman. The survey result was interesting, but it reflected the cultural norm. The biblical view of marriage is a covenant relationship, becoming one flesh, that redefines all relationships.
Parents: While men gave the first and foremost priority to their mothers, women tend to give it to their fathers. For some, they were their visible gods on earth. Sadly, they did not understand the ‘leave and cleave’ principle. When God created Eve out of a rib of Adam and presented her to him, he sang a song. She is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh. A man, on becoming a husband, has to leave or detach from his parents and cleave to his wife. (Genesis 2:21-24) A woman, on becoming a wife, must leave or detach from her parents and cleave to her husband. (Psalms 45:10-11) It is essential to be grateful for the contribution of parents in their lives, and also to honor them. (Exodus 20:12) Honoring parents must not be a dishonor to the spouse, which is a practice in many cultures.
Sibling: One husband said to his wife, “I have known my sisters for 22 years; you came just yesterday, why should you be my priority?” This is utter foolishness. A covenant relationship of marriage begins with the priority to the spouse. All other relationships, that could be for many years, get less priority when compared with the marriage relationship. Yes, all family and friends, relationships deserve less importance and priority than that of the spouse.
Children: After a child is born, some mothers take that as their priority relationship. Magnifying the mother’s role and relegating the wife’s role. That could be a disaster for the family. The role of being mother or father is a secondary role to that of being wife or husband.
Spouse: Being spouse – husband or wife is the primary call in the life of a Christian family.
Do I follow the culture or Scripture?