FOUR RULES FOR A HEALTHY MARRIAGE

SCRIPTURE:

“Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.” (1Corinthians 7:1—7)

OBSERVATION:

            Marital problems affect every married couples.  How a couple stays married is becoming more and more difficult.  There are many marital issues stems from lack of intimate relationships, lack of boundaries on other relationships, to financial related issues, and finally as problems accumulates many married relationships crumbled and dissolved under its pressure.  Here Paul addresses the issues head on.  Paul is giving a marital counseling session for those who are married. 

            The first rule for a healthy committed married relationship is first refrain from sexual relationship outside of marriage.  Paul addressed the issue of sex outside marriage with someone other than your marriage partner.  And it is also a good thing to recognized that this addresses to those who have sex before marriage.  It is a good thing for a man not to have a sexual relationship with a woman.  BUT SINCE SEXUAL IMMORALITY IS OCCURNING, each man should have sexual relationship with his OWN WIFE, and each woman with her OWN HUSBAND. 

            A husband and a wife must be committed to EACH OTHERS.  They are to be committed to OWN wife and OWN husband.  This is a sacred relationship keeping the couple from committing ACTS OF IMMORALITY.  Many marriages suffered because of immorality.  Immorality means wicked behavior, lustful, unruly, dishonest, uncommitted and the list go on.   In other words, biblical marriage definition is One man, One woman. 

            Second rule for a healthy marriage is husband and wife should FULFILL their MARITAL DUTY to each other.  Everyone fulfills their vows to be faithful, supportive, providing, encouragement, speak with kindness, and be gracious and make rooms for each other in their heart.  But most of all they are to YIELD their bodies to each other.  Their bodies are no longer their own but they both yield the control of their bodies to each other.  They are one.  One man, One woman is the aim of any marital relationships.  Unless a couple is willing to YIELD their bodies to each other, their marriage life heads for trouble.

            Third rule, DO NOT DEPRIVE each other except perhaps by MUTUAL CONSENT and for a time to devote themselves to prayer.  But they must come together again so that SATAN will not tempt them because of their lack of self-control.  Satan is in every detail of our lives.  Many marriages couples today keep on DEPRIVING EACH other of their sexual needs and suffer the consequences of sexual deprivation.  Remember, if God is in the details of our life, including our marriage, so is Satan.

Fourth rule, HAVE SELF-CONTROL.  Anyone that is involve in married life must learn self-control.  Sex is not for controlling the other partner with your desires.  It is to serve one another with love and respect.    Self-control is something each individual must practice.  Every sexual activity must be done in the spirit of MUTUAL CONSENT.  When mutual consent is exercise, sex becomes and activity of mutual enjoyment in serving each other’s needs. 

            So many marriages are sexually dried up and a cause of frustration between the couples.  God is interested in every aspect of our lives to be healthy including our sexual lives.  God wants me to have a healthy marriage life.  Married sexual life must honor God and each other.  The right attitude about sex as a mutual consent and not a forceful command, will serve two people to loving and caring for one another.

APPLICATION:

            I will make my marriage a top priority besides my spiritual relationship with Jesus.  I will seek to serve my wife in a godly way to fulfill my marital duties.  I will not deprive my wife of her need for intimacy nor force my own desires onto her.  I will serve my wife with dignity, honor and loving care for the honor of God who gave this gift of marriage to us. 

PRAYER:

            Jesus, thank you for reminding me of my responsibility to my wife.  Teach me to fulfil my marital duty to Nori as you have blessed me with her.  Help me to lead and honor her in every way that you want me to.  Teach me how to meet her needs and minister to her in such a way that honors and valued her before you.  I ask that you bless my wife and shower her with your grace daily.  Thank you for entrusting Nori to my care.  I commit my marriage to you. Amen!