06.01.07 The 1st Key for Evaluating a Prospective Partner's Spiritual Alignment : Do You Share the Same Foundational Beliefs about God?

1. Do You Share the Same Foundational Beliefs about God?

Evaluate whether you and the prospective partner recognise and submit to the same divine standard. Do both of you acknowledge God as the supreme Authority over life and marriage? Do you rely on the same scriptural foundation when interpreting a person’s responsibility, conduct and purpose?

Both Mary and Joseph must have been fully convinced that they were submitting to the same deity, given the divine messages and interventions each of them had received during their betrothal period. Joseph had heard how Mary received the angel’s message, embracing God’s will with humility and yielding herself fully to His sovereign purpose (Luke 1:38). Likewise, Mary would also have heard how Joseph received divine instruction in a dream, then changed his mind about ending the engagement and instead agreed to take the pregnant virgin as his wife (Matthew 1:24). Their shared reverence for God shaped their lifestyle and direction, as they pursued the shared goal of raising Jesus as his earthly parents.

Donald's experience was different. Much as he could have initially entertained the comforting thought that he and Harriet were spiritually aligned, he came face to face with reality. You may recall how the girl dismissed prayer as a viable option and chose retaliation as the best means of handling Dr. Shirley’s outbursts. Donald began noticing that for Harriet, submitting to spiritual authority was secondary, especially when she was upset. This must have started to expose fundamental differences in their foundational spiritual convictions.

If you want your marriage to be sustainably successful, a prospective partner's spiritual beliefs ought to be aligned with yours. In other words, the two of you must be spiritually compatible, having a shared view of God and His supreme authority; and a readiness to let Him guide your decisions, priorities and responses. Ultimately, this creates a bond anchored on a common spiritual foundation, which is essential for a harmonious and lasting marriage.