Daily Habits Of Marital Intimacy - 10 Day Reading PlanSample

Day 9: Values of Marriage

Marriage is a journey. You started this journey when you said “yes” in your covenant to God and commitment to your partner on your wedding day. There is no perfect marriage journey; there is only the limping and learning with all the grace and help of Jesus! When transparency, truth, and trust join forces, then unity will emerge. 

Marriage values are imperative to a strong, secure marriage. Here are four, along with their opponents. Spiritual Warfare (Spiritual Neglect). The moment you say yes to follow Jesus and yes to marriage, you are on the enemy’s hit list. Your pursuit of Jesus will be your strongest asset against the enemy. Interdependence/shared life (Independence). When you made the decision to marry, you were letting go of living independently, not of your healthy I. Your purpose for choosing marriage was to share life with another. Selflessness (Selfishness). You will need the Holy Spirit to help you choose selflessness. Selflessness flows not from your human nature, but your spiritual nature. Selfish traits are arrogant, rude, demanding, controlling, unforgiving, passive, and self-seeking, to name a few. Humility (Pride). Humility requires the grace of Jesus to help you to regard your partner as more important than yourself. Pride will not allow you to build a strong foundation of love to experience the beauty of grace in your marriage. Embrace humility in your marriage. 

Reflection: Remember, at the center of your union is Jesus. From your oneness with Him flows the oneness of your US. Jesus is the one to whom you must cling when pursuing unity in your marriage. Your eyes must be on Him, not each other, on your marriage journey. Hold to this truth: The devil is your enemy; your partner is your friend, advocate, and your lover. Consider: what agreements do you make with the enemy in your marriage? Give thought to how you can give greater priority to your marriage. Develop a daily attitude of selflessness and humility to your partner. Humility is the essence of your shared love.