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GOD’S PATTERN FOR MARRIAGE
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. —Genesis 2:24 (NIV)
[Jesus says…] 5 “‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” —Matthew 19:5-6 (NIV)
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” —Ephesians 5:31 (NIV)
Why is marriage the single most sanctifying relationship?
Difficult? Hard? Frustrating? Growth?
Because the marriage relationship is a picture of Jesus and the Church, it comes with ongoing spiritual attack.
Because marriage is a COVENANT, it challenges our desire to negotiate and to treat it like a CONTRACT.
Because we primarily think about ourselves, marriage forces us to confront our selfishness.
Because you can’t easily or quickly walk away from a marriage, it causes you to deal with your challenges.
Because we start with what we can solve or control, marriage demonstrates our need for God’s power.
“None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” —2 Kings 6:12 (NIV)
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. —Galatians 5:16-26 (NIV)
How Does the Spirit Change Our Marriage?
1. It leads us to SUBMIT.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. —Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)
2. It changes how we SEE it.
3. It impacts how we SAY it.
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. —Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. —James 3:5 (NIV)
Lord, in my family, I choose to submit to Your Word over my feelings and my circumstances. Help me to be led by Your Spirit instead of my flesh.
Lord, I choose to see my spouse and my family the way You see them. You placed me in this family, they are a gift and I am a steward. Help me to honor You in the way I serve them.
Finally Lord, I choose to speak Your words of life over my marriage and my family. Give me the power to build them up with grace and truth instead of tearing them down through negative words.