The Lead Pastor of Celebration Church International, Emmanuel Iren, has advised Christian singles to prioritise spiritual compatibility over emotional attachment when considering marriage, particularly in interfaith relationships.
Speaking during a recent church service, Pastor Iren responded to a question from a female congregant who sought guidance about her relationship with a Muslim man she described as loving and “marriage material,” despite opposition from her Christian parents.
Addressing the congregation, the cleric approached the matter from what he described as a biblical standpoint, stressing that marriage is a divine institution governed by spiritual principles rather than personal emotions.
“Marriage is not something you redesign to suit your feelings,You don’t enter into it and start changing its structure because you didn’t design it God did,” he said.
Citing the biblical injunction against being “unequally yoked,” Pastor Iren stated that the issue of interfaith marriage is spiritual rather than sentimental.
According to him, Scripture makes clear distinctions about spiritual alignment within marriage, warning against partnerships that may compromise faith convictions.
To illustrate his point, he shared the account of a Christian woman who married a Muslim man who, prior to their wedding, appeared supportive of her faith and church attendance. However, after the marriage, the dynamics reportedly changed.
According to the pastor, the woman was allegedly prevented from attending church, and when the couple had a child, the situation became more complex. The child was said to have been given an Islamic name and dedicated according to Islamic rites, while the mother was reportedly restricted from raising the child in the Christian faith.
“He said he wouldn’t interfere with her faith,” Pastor Iren told the congregation, “but eventually, everything he said he wouldn’t do happened.”
The pastor emphasised that while romantic attraction is natural, long-term marital stability depends on shared spiritual purpose and values.
“Purpose must come before pleasure,” he said, adding that a spiritually aligned home is foundational to lasting peace and fulfilment.
He urged singles to weigh long-term spiritual consequences carefully before committing to marriage, noting that emotional satisfaction should not override deeply held faith convictions.