The success of any marriage is predicated on the personality of those involved and their reaction to issues that affect marriage.
Things like sexual inclination, financial issues, handling third-party influence, and character issues are the leading causes of marital failures. Meanwhile, your character plays an integral role in your approach to those issues that affect marriage when they come.
A man with a bad character would make life miserable for his wife, and a wife who has an ugly character would be a pain in the neck.
Scripturally, from the wisdom of the writer of Proverbs, some character traits were mentioned that a person can exhibit which would affect their marriage.
See the following.
“It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house” (Proverbs 25:24 KJV)
“It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman” (Proverbs 21:19 KJV)
Are women the only culprit when it comes to having a bad character in marriage?
“An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression” (Proverbs 29:22 KJV)
What is character?
A distinguishing feature; characteristic; trait; personality; identity, nature, or attitude of a person. In truth, the character is what a person is; but reputation is what he is supposed to be or other’s perception of him.
People may forget how you look, but what comes to mind when they remember your name is influenced by your character. Your character is formed by both external and internal influences.
Consciously or unconsciously, you manifest your character. However, some are triggered by external impulses such as action, inaction, pleasure, situation, or environmental influences, either good or bad.
If your relationship or marriage would be successful, your character and that of your partner determine it to a large extent. Meanwhile, some characters can be tolerated in marriage, but some are a complete turn-off.
From the above-mentioned scripture, a brawler, contentious, and angry spouse is not someone you should live with. And there are likewise some bad ones such as infidelity, talkativeness, pride, laziness, procrastination, gossip, disrespect, envy, jealousy, irresponsibility, and so on.
However, you must understand that nobody was born with a bad character, although the Adamic nature (nature of sin) was inherently wired in everyone, how you curb it and who you yield yourself to obey determines the character that manifests in your life in the long run.
Examine your life, if you continue with your character, will your marriage be successful? Will your spouse be forever grateful to God for the gift of you, or it would be a lifetime regret for their wrong decision?
For singles, now is the best time to strip off every bad character in your life that would jeopardize your marital bliss. Some characters are as old as your age, while some were formed over time.
And to the married, if your character is bad, or your spouse’s, then you need to seek ways to help them get rid of it.
Self-help principles may curb some bad characters, but they can never get rid of hereditary ones. The only way to evacuate a bad character from your life is to come to the man of Calvary where He regenerates your spirit, and from your spirit, your soul is renewed.
A bad character is a big turn-off in marriage regardless of the beauty or handsomeness anyone may have. And as much as possible, ensure you work to improve your character than to concentrate your attention on your physical appearance.
However, your character determines the duration of your marriage and who you attract or repel. And if there’s anything you’d strive to make good, allow Jesus into your life so you can be transformed into His image and likeness.
Remember, a spouse with a good character is better than the one who is beautiful or handsome but bereft of a good character.
