True North Church

Genesis 3:7 NLT
At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

Genesis 3:8-10 NLT
When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees.

Then the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

He replied, "I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked."

THREE WAYS FEAR RUINS OUR MARRIAGE

1. WHEN WE FEAR OUR FAULTS, WE BECOME DEFENSIVE.

Genesis 3:11-12 NLT
"Who told you that you were naked?" the LORD God asked. "Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?"

The man replied, "It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it."

2. WHEN WE FEAR OUR FEELINGS, WE BECOME DISTANT.

There are three levels of communication:
Level 1 — Talk and Share Trivia
Level 2 - Talk & Share Ideas
Level 3 - Talk and Share Feelings

Three feelings we don’t like to verbalize

1. Hurt feelings
2. Negative feelings
3. Sexual feelings

Before Fall of Man:
Genesis 2:25
The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

After Fall of Man:
Genesis 3:7
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

3. WHEN WE FEAR FOR OUR FREEDOM, WE BECOME DEMANDING.

Genesis 3:16 NLT
Then he said to the woman, "I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you. "

Three suggestions to get you started in facing your fears.
1. Be honest with yourself.
2. Be honest with God.
3. Be honest with your spouse.