loving

Do you have a mature view of marriage?

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) Leave a comment

Have you noticed that our culture is self-absorbed?  We are receiving constant messages through advertising, social media, TV shows, and movies that life is all about pursuing personal happiness.  When we follow that secular line of thinking, then we naturally assume our marriage is designed to make us happy.  The minute our spouse wounds us or behaves below our expectations, we toss aside the marriage and try to find another man who will be the source of our happiness. 

First of all, that is an unending quest because you will never find a perfect husband!  But more importantly, this is not the purpose of a Biblical marriage.

As I study the Bible, I sensed the Holy Spirit revealing 5 purposes for marriage, although there are probably even more.  As you read the purposes outlined below, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to press into those purposes in your own marriage.

  1. Marriage is designed for a husband and wife to have rich companionship as well as to provide help for each other as they navigate the challenges of life and seek to serve God together.  Genesis 2:18   Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
  2. Marriage is the primary place for you to learn how to carry out God’s major command to love your neighbor since the “neighbor” who is closest to you is your spouse!  Matthew 22:39 “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
  3. Marriage is designed to be a binding union and devoted partnership between a man and a woman.  Genesis 2:23-25 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
  4. Marriage is designed to produce children and build a family.  Genesis 1:28  God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number.”
  5. Ultimately, marriage, as well as everything we do and every relationship we have, is supposed to bring glory to God.  1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”  The question is this.  Does your marriage glorify God?  Is the way you conduct yourself as a spouse a great reflection of Christ?  A mature view of a Christian marriage entails realizing it’s not all about YOU!  It’s about glorifying God in everything you do, including reflecting the character of Christ in your marriage.

Signs you are truly a loving wife!

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) Leave a comment

I don’t know about you, but I tend to think I’m a pretty amazing wife!  I mean I try to be respectful.  I try to keep the house clean and tidy.  I cook meals and bake sugary things I think my husband would like. I try to remember to encourage my husband from time to time. I’m faithful.  So, I’m doing great, right? 

Well, I was recently convicted when I happened to be reading a familiar passage of the Bible in 1 Corinthians 13.  In that passage, God explains what true love looks like.  As I read the passage more slowly than usual, I realized that I have quite a bit of room for growth when it comes to loving my husband well!  Maybe you have room for growth too.

I urge you to read the following description of love very slowly.  Linger over each facet of love that God is calling us to display.  Honestly ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you’re doing. Do you regularly display the signs of true love to your husband?  I bet God will highlight some areas where you could do better.  God is not mad at you.  We are all a work in progress, but let’s commit to making progress!! 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)  Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.