Relationships 101: Spouse

Marriage should be honored by everyone… (Hebrews 13:4 NCV)

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way…Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33 NLT, MSG)

1) A Christian marriage is more important than a Christian wedding.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ…Love [one another], just as Christ loved the church. (Ephesians 5:21, 25 NLT)

 

2) Make your spouse your BFF, but not your OFF.

Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. (Proverbs 17:17 MSG)

 

3) You can choose to be right or to be happy. Be happy.

Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience…Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12, 14 NLT)

 

4) It’s okay to change jobs or to change channels, but don’t try to change your spouse.

Don’t just pretend to love…Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (Romans 12:9-10 NLT)

 

5) Make every day your wedding day.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud…Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7 NLT)