By Lisa Timmons
Recently, I’ve come across some revealing videos of people describing how they hear from God and make decisions. One young woman openly confessed she heard God’s voice but chose to ignore Him because it conflicted with her desires. Her life remained in turmoil until she finally committed to a relationship with God—only then did she understand what He had been trying to tell her all along.
Another video making the rounds features a so-called Prophet and Prophetess from a said Christian church in a polygynous marriage—that is, one man with two wives, right here in the United States. Let’s be clear: Only the first marriage is recognized by law; the second is not only illegal but also a deception to the second wife, much like being a mistress or “side piece”; she really has no claims to anything. Some women have even tried two husbands (polyandrous), but the biblical and legal reality is the same—it’s invalid, immoral, and adulterous. The Bible is plain on this for all sexual misconduct for married or single folk:
Hebrews 13:4 (ESV): “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
God gives us free will, but don’t be fooled by those who twist Scripture or claim happiness in these arrangements. We will still be held accountable for poor decisions and actions without a contrite heart. The love of money and sex will make you lose your mind! Whether we believe and accept it or not, there is more to life than money and sex. God desires to know us as intimately as possible, and he wants the same between us and our spouses. Polygynous marriages are an attempt to recreate Old Testament living—like David’s many wives—but it always ends in heartbreak through competition. If you look closely, it’s clear that in a multi-partner relationship, only one person is truly favored. We must be honest with ourselves.
Isaiah 4:1 (KJV) says, “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.” Wars caused the deaths of many soldiers, and women had lost hope. It was shameful for women never to have married. Nevertheless, as the writer continues on, in those days it was considered But as we read further scripture.
If you want to see what chaos polygamy brings, read up on Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar—
The Arrangement (Genesis 16:1–3)
The Conflict and Mistreatment (Genesis 16:4–6)
The Expulsion (Genesis 21:8–14)
Or study Jacob, Leah, and Rachel:
Genesis 29–30: Jacob’s deceptive marriage to Leah, his love for Rachel, Rachel’s barrenness, and how God intervened.
Or Elkanah, Hannah, and Peninnah:
1 Samuel 1: Elkanah’s deep love for Hannah, her barrenness, and Peninnah’s children.
These stories are filled with jealousy, pain, and God’s intervention. Polygamy simply does not work, and it’s not God’s standard.
Instead, we need to be intentional about building healthy, God-honoring relationships—“loving the one we’re with,” as Billy Preston sang, but only in safe, non-abusive partnerships. Real relationships require hard work, but that effort is what makes them valuable. Our children need to see this lived out so they know what a healthy relationship looks like.
There is a serious warning in Scripture about deceiving ourselves and others. It would be better to leave God out of your relationship entirely than to claim His blessing over something He clearly condemns. My mother always said, “The biggest lie the Devil ever told is that you can fool God.”
Genesis 3:1a (ESV): “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.”
Ask yourself: if a man had to choose, which wife would he save? The answer is always the one he loves most. Don’t settle for being second best—or worse, for being deceived.
Run from these counterfeit arrangements. You will be held accountable for the choices you make. Don’t be the fool who thinks God is a fool, too. I pray eyes are opened before it’s too late.
Les Brown once told a story about a moaning dog sitting on a nail. The dog didn’t move because it wasn’t hurting enough yet. Sometimes, we complain about our pain but refuse to get up and do something about it. The enemy will whisper ideas that sound like your own, but you must test every voice. I recall hearing an authoritative voice about a man in church—”You will know him.” But God’s voice is always clear and never contradicts His Word.
In the coming weeks, many will learn where their pastors stand on polygamy, polyandry, and other illicit relationships—including those addressed in Leviticus 18 and 20.
Too many church leaders turn a blind eye, allowing sin to spread unchecked. This must change if we hope to heal our families. As a “Herald” and a single senior citizen, I’m committed to opening the conversations about marriage, adultery, fornication, and more where needed. others avoid. Followers of Christ (FOCs) must address these issues honestly to build and sustain our families and communities.
We must tire of chasing and gaining fantasies of having the most beautiful or finest spouses and ignoring God’s design. Scripture is clear:
1 Corinthians 7:1-5 (NIV): 1 Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Marriage is about mutual devotion and accountability—not selfishness or immorality. If you can’t remain pure, marry, but honor God in your marriage. Our youth are watching and imitating what we model; it’s time to break the cycle of confusion and compromise for a brighter future.
God hasn’t changed. His standards remain the same:
James 1:22 (NIV): “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Staying single is a valid, honorable path—if we live it according to God’s will without sexual immorality and impurity:
1 Corinthians 7:9 (NIV): “But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
Single or married, we must reject all forms of spiritual distortions of our culture and relationships: we need each other. Polygamy and polyandry are not God’s best for us.
The “Holiness Code” in Leviticus 18 and 20 spells out what God expects for relationships:
Leviticus 19:2 (NIV): “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” Leviticus 20:7, 26 (NIV): “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God… You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.”
Let’s stop pretending we can outsmart the Creator.
Galatians 6:7 ESV says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
And so we pray:
Heavenly Father,
We come before You seeking wisdom, discernment, and purity in our relationships. Lord, open our eyes to Your truth and protect us from deception and counterfeit love. Help us to honor marriage as You have designed it—between one man and one woman, in mutual devotion and holiness. Give us courage to reject cultural and spiritual distortions and give us the courage to walk in obedience, even when it is difficult. Heal those who have been hurt by broken promises and misguided choices. Strengthen our families and communities to reflect Your love, Your faithfulness, and Your standards. May our lives and relationships be a testimony of Your grace and truth. Purify our hearts, renew our minds, and help us to listen for Your voice above all others. May we never settle for less than Your provisions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
