Leave

Leave and Cleave - 1

December 3, 2025

Just about the same time that I read about Ps Paul Hudson's devotional on Leave to Cleave, I came across another interesting piece of experience as shared by Ps Emmanuel Kyei Boate of the Church of Pentecost.

So yesterday I started a conversation on why divorce is on the rise among Christian couples.

I tried to read through the over 700 comments on both posts and many inbox messages I received.

As I read through I decided to share practically some of the issues I’ve encountered from scripture and life.

Today I’ll share on LEAVE AND CLEAVE.

In Genesis 2:24 where I use as basis for pre-marital counselling mostly, the Bible is clear about the Biblical foundations of Marriage. It says “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

‭‭In marriage you must LEAVE and CLEAVE

When the Bible says Leave, it does not only apply physically. In fact in some cultures people don’t leave their fathers homes, they marry and bring their wives to their fathers homes so there’s no physical separation.

However when the Bible says leave, the two must Leave in their minds. There are too many young people who are married and still “Living” psychologically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, everythingly in their fathers and mothers homes.

Man, you decided you want to marry. You brought this fine girl into your life and yet your friends are your best companions and your wife is begging for attention, and now look at her wrinkled face? Eh! You have not left bro. You claim as for Fridays after work, it’s soccer time for you and your boys.

Your wife has complained yet you say it is non-negotiable. Man, you are still a boy. You have not left.

Young lady you’re married and your best companion is still your mother. Every decision and step you have to take until Mama says I concur… You claim no one can separate you and Mama. You’re not ready for marriage…

You see I am not suggesting you cut complete ties with family and friends etc but hey once you marry your first priority is your spouse.

Today my Prempeh College mates will know why I stopped playing football with them on Friday nights at Al Ryann school park back in the days.

Those were days I was GM for Atinka FM. Work was stressful and took all my time. Grace had given birth and had to juggle motherhood alone. I leave early from home and she’s all alone trying to figure out how to make up for her new role as wife and mother.

And this her sanguine husband wants to enjoy his colleagues out there and neglect her at home? She told me Kwasi I don’t like this new lifestyle. You can do the football once a while but this every Friday thing will not work.

At that point you know the “M” in every man will rise and opana will want to show Karifi. So opana showed some karifi but next day as I reflected and that is the PRACTICAL WORK of the HOLY SPIRIT, I felt like “what is the point in playing football with your mates when your wife is home and not happy?”

Instantly I felt naaa boy you have to decide. I took a decision that the football can wait while I build my home.

Young married man, LEAVE and CLEAVE to your wife. Young wife, LEAVE and CLEAVE to your husband.

I mean young girl, you’re married and still keeping a male bestie? Wo yare? Male Bestie? Are you alright? You have not left…

I pray that these series will help restore some homes that are breaking if not already broken.

Many times the reasons for asking for divorce is just like the Moses’s era. “Madam wo nkwan no nyɛ dɛ sɛ me maame deɛ no” so it’s over. Nansins, if you wanted to drink Mama’s soup till you die then why didn’t you marry mama? Kwɛ kpa buulu wiemɔ yɛ gyɛnn (if you don’t understand Ga sorry for you)

I wish you all well and praying with you that these words of mine will be backed by the power of the Holy Spirit to bring some grace to you in our marriages