South East breaking News
The Vice Chancellor Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Professor Madubuibis Ofo Iwe has enjoined Christians to exhibit good virtues in their homes
Professor Iwe,who made this disclosure while speaking on the theme ‘ little Foxes that Spoil Marriages ,at the Good News Baptist Church Afara in Umuahia during the 2021 Couples’ and Singles’ Sunday, said Christians are like vine yards that are expected to produce good fruits such as love , faithfulness, peace,joy , righteousness among other things.
He frowned at some christians who have allowed little foxes such as adultery, physical abuse , dirtiness ,lack of good characters , external relationships , spirit of laziness,bad habit ,wife beater , addiction to Facebook or phone to creep into the homes and spoil their marriages.
He lamented that infidelity is almost trending in marriages,adding that men are most found wanting in this area,while describing adultery as a moral decadence.
He however,urged couples to learn how to be neat and clean,saying laziness has made so many couples to be dirty and live in dirty homes .
Continuing, he pointed out that unresolved conflict and unforgiveness among couples have destroyed many homes,while urging couples to resolve any conflict they have and forgive each other when they are annoyed.
He cautioned couples against turning their partners into object of laughter and discussion as well as to avoid having wrong assumptions about their partners.
Iwe , described marriage as a game of patience founded on love, understanding and appreciation for one another, respect.
He enjoined couples to continue to appreciate one another, even when things are difficult to have faith in God.
“Couples should continue to appreciate one another , however difficult things are, appreciate that woman God has given you and the woman should love that man that took her for himself,love him , respect him ,obey him , accommodate him and have faith in God.
” Again be ready to represent God wherever you are,serve God ,tell people about God .
” Even when there is downturn on economy, work together for there is time for everything.
” When things are down try to rise and stand on your feet and find a way forward by praying and trusting that God will show you the way forward
He maintained that little foxes are dangerous as giants in their actions, though they may not be seen,they are capable of destroying marriages, even as he called for patience, love, peace ,fear of God , submission, respect for each other for Marriages to flourish.
In her Contribution, the wife of the Vice chancellor, Dr Mrs Nkechi Iwe enumerated other examples of little foxes that spoil Marriages to include, external relationships such as parents, friends, relatives, children that may intrude into marriages.
She advised couples not to bring in third party to settle issues for them.
” Avoid third parties we are not saying you should not share your problems with trusted friends to help you pray, especially those who have made it in marriage,but you need to be careful”
” Treat your spouses with much respect and avoid shouting or screaming to each other”
Mrs Iwe also underscored the need to be thoughtful and not to be preoccupied all the time, ” do not be engrossed to movies or phones”
She advised couples to teach each other on the areas they are lacking ,noting that constant criticism and comparison should be avoided.
” Never you compare your marriage with another, if he or she does not dress to your taste or cook to your taste , please teach her .
” Learn to say sorry there are men that hardly say sorry to their wives,it is not good.
In some families any time the couples have issues,it must be the wife that will apologize, please do not take your partner’s meekness for weakness or gentleness for foolishness.
” Learn to spend quality time with your spouse and if you are busy ,you can call or text but do not make it a tradition .
” You need to be romantic, for without romance ,there is no marriage and women learn to listen and encourage to your husbands .
” It is not good that some women will only be talking without allowing their husbands to talk.You both should see yourselves as a team” she said.
Early on his homily, Rev. Dr Sola Omodamiro described the event as a glorious one .
He acknowledged that the programme met his expectations , especially as the guest speaker , the vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara university of Agriculture Umudike with the wife digged out most of the salient points we are expected with the theme on the ‘little foxes that spoil marriages “
He however, urged Christian couples to pay attentions to those little foxes ,for they are really destroying marriages .
He informed that the most important thing in marriage is the unity between husband and wife.
He urged them to learn how to be together and have harmonious relationship, adding that no matter the challenges ,they can be surmounted
He however called on government to create enabling environment for the family to thrive ,noting that some of the vices that are seen in Nigeria today,such as hooliganism, insurgency are products of broken homes .
He revealed that hardship in the country has made many couples to be running Helter skelter just to make ends meet, while appealing to government at all levels to do the needful to help families thrive .
He lauded Professor Maduebibisi Iwe and his wife for encouraging couples on the importance of building their marriages on Unity, submissiveness trust and to bring their challenges in the alter of the Lord.
Highlights of the event featured special prayers for couples and singles, cutting of cake and convenant prayers, presentation of portrait, playlets among other varieties
