50 Days of Wisdom

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 7 that there are five advantages to being single. It is good to be single because of the pressure of the system, the problems of the flesh, the passing of the world, and the preoccupation of the married. But there's one more, which is the capstone. Number five, it's good to be single because of the permanence of the union. 1 Corinthians 7:29-30 talks about the permanence of marriage: "A wife is bound as long as her husband lives." What's the point? The point is this: marriage is permanent. You're bound as long as your partner lives. Once you're married, that's it until death. A single person has liberty, but as soon as he marries, or she marries, that liberty ends, and you are bound to a person as long as you live. You ask, "Does this forbid divorce?" No, but God hates divorce, and divorce does happen. Divorce is the exception to the rule, but apart from unrepentant adultery and an unbeliever departing, the two biblical grounds for divorce, you're married till one dies. It's permanent. Listen, beloved, if you have the gift of singleness, or if there is a measure of contentment in being single, there's no reason to engage in a lifelong tie that can only be severed by death. You will have all the pressures, all the trouble, and all the divided interest all your life long. You need to be certain that it's God's design for you. Again, the point being, marriage is for life. That's why we used to say in marriage ceremonies, "Until death do us"—what?—"part." That's why people pledged lifelong allegiance. And it can be the most wonderful and the most fulfilling and the richest and most blessed of partnerships, and should be, but it's for life, and you need to understand that going in. So Paul is simply extolling the virtues of being single. So should a person stay single? Well, if you have that gift. In other words, if marriage is not a pressing necessity, if you do not burn with that physical desire, yes. Or if you have been married and now are either divorced or widowed and no longer have that driving need, consider remaining single. Now, why is it that God has designed that preachers marry and have families? Wouldn't it be simpler if they were single? It's unusual for a pastor to be single, and the reason is because preaching is only one part of ministry; example is another part of it. And since the normal pattern that God has designed for most people is to be married and to enjoy the bliss and the thrill and the fulfillment of marriage and raise up godly young people to provide righteousness in the next generation, and since that's God's normal desire, it's also normal that God put people in the leadership of married people and families who not only can teach them about that but who can model that for them. God's design is marvelous. So for some marriage, for some marriage and children, for some singleness. Each in the manner that God has designed, and His purpose can be fulfilled in your life in any of those cases. Therefore, if you're single for the time but feel it is a very unfulfilling, uncomfortable, and even tempting situation, consider the great benefits of your current singleness and be the man or woman that God wants you to be and wait on Him to provide the answer to your prayers. But never look down on singleness as if somehow it's a second-class life, because Paul says it's not. Repent and believe! GTY.org (90-109) – The Blessings of Being Single

Today's Wisdom

Day: 1009

August 24, 2026

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Grace and peace,

My name is Mark Paul from Wauchula, Florida, and like the Apostle Peter said in 2 Peter 1:14, "I know that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent." Consequently, my goal is to leave a legacy that will continue to advance the kingdom of God long after I have departed. In other words, bear fruit for eternity. And by simply reading and sharing my free eBooks, you too become contributors to the advancement of His kingdom. Thank you for partaking in this endeavor, and I look forward to greeting you on heaven's shore.

The Truth in Love,

Mark Paul - Servant of God

Now grant, O Lord, that when the souls who read these books cast their eyes upon these lines, their minds may be illuminated and their consciences convinced and awakened, that they may see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and be converted so that You may heal them. Amen!