The ManicaPost
Morris Mtisi Post Correspondent
“WHEN marriage begins to brew unhappiness, hatred, resentment and violence, go back to the Maker, God who is the planner of the marriage institution,” says Seventh Adventist pastor, Adin Momba. Speaking with Morris Mtisi on DiamondFM Radio last Sunday, the Adventist Family Life evangelist reminded listeners who are in marriage: “Satan is not on holiday. He is up in arms with every plan of God’s and hates His arrangements.
“Christians must know we are not yet in heaven.
The road from Egypt to Canaan passed through tough and rough physical and emotional terrain. It was walked and endured through painful suffering. Such is the journey of life through marriage and family,” said Pastor Momba, “It can be bitter and sometimes dangerous,” he added, reminding listeners that bitter marriages and relationships are not God’s plan.
“God’s plan was to give man and woman a sweet comfort zone in which to find peace of mind, happiness and matrimonial joy in marriage. And the devil hates this. Satan hates everything that is God’s arrangement. Christians must understand this,” he said. Commenting on the recent alleged murder of a wife and subsequent suicide of the brutal killer in Mutare, Pastor Momba did not hesitate to call a spade a spade.
“There is no heaven for those who commit suicide,” he said.
“The bloody incident of murder followed by suicide that flooded the media was terribly unfortunate. It is a typical example of Satan’s anger and determination to cause strife amongst loved ones in marriage.
If the man had sought audience with his wife over whatever the nature of their problem, the marriage could have been saved, the problems and misunderstandings or differences resolved, or may be a friendly divorce reached but certainly not such a tragic end. It is critically important for a real man to communicate with a spouse directly rather than reacting over rumour and gossip.”
Speaking on the same radio programme, the evangelist, pastor, preacher and teacher of the word, said sometimes the problem was not the man or woman. It is Satan who invades marriages and without knowing or realising it, victims of the powers of darkness fight instead of uniting to face a common enemy in prayer and fasting.
Responding to the question: “Is it not true and correct to say some couples suffer in their unhappy marriages, but not realising they are victims of demonic powers from Satan directly or indirectly through hell’s-angels masquerading as friends or next of keen,” Pastor Momba instantly agreed.
“Many couples have no idea what is hitting them. What they know is they are not happy. They are always quarrelling and fighting, many verging on the brinks of murder and suicide. But Christians must always remember! When this happens, go back to the designer of marriage – God. Tete did not design marriage – God did. Posting marriage or relationship woes on WhatsApp will not help.
“The real answers are with God. He has the marriage manual. The enemy is the devil; not your fiancé or fiancée- not your wife or husband. Pastor Momba blamed misdirected education, especially when it comes with a good job and money. This combination often creates breeding ground for lack of respect and submission on the part of a wife and loss of love, polygamous behavior and infidelity for the husband,” the man of God said.
He also said it was futile for a Christian to work so tirelessly and devotedly for Jesus and God and seemingly loving them if he or she cannot love his or her partner in marriage.
“You cannot love God at the same time cause pain and suffering to your marriage partner. That does not happen. You cannot hate your husband or wife and love Jesus.” Pastor Momba has had crucial rounds of Family Life and Marriage crusades in Mutare in which several couples testified their marriages have improved since.
