{"id":13671,"date":"2024-01-30T21:50:12","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T21:50:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/?p=13671"},"modified":"2024-01-31T19:18:03","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T19:18:03","slug":"how-my-relationship-with-god-affects-my-marriage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/2024\/01\/30\/how-my-relationship-with-god-affects-my-marriage\/","title":{"rendered":"How My Relationship with God Affects My Marriage"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Chapter 2 of A Biblical Worldview Affects Every Area of Life<\/a>)<\/p>

Authentic biblical Christianity\u2019s most obvious fruit will be displayed in our most important relationships, beginning with our marriage.<\/p>

Our New Covenant relationship with God<\/a> qualifies us \u2013 as God\u2019s beloved children (Ephesians 5:1<\/a>) \u2013 to experience a rich inheritance<\/em> (Ephesians 1:11<\/a>, 1:13-14<\/a>), eternally \u2013 in heaven, (1 Peter 1:4<\/a>), but also in this life <\/span><\/strong><\/em>\u2013 on earth.<\/p>

So just what does this earthly inheritance look like, and how does it affect our marriage?<\/p>

The Holy Spirit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

\"\"<\/figure>

A 2017 article in <\/a>Psychology Today<\/a> <\/em>says that the number one reason that marriages fail is a \u201cfailure to wed<\/strong>,\u201d contrasting that with a healthy marriage:<\/p>

Two separate and uniquely different people come together to form a whole whose essence is greater than the sum of its parts, and not two individuals who are constantly \u201chijacking the we\u201d by trying to make their partner become more like them.<\/strong><\/p>Neil J Lavender Ph.D.<\/a>
\u201cThe Two Shall Become As One,\u201d June 22, 2017<\/cite><\/blockquote>

And another article says:<\/p>

What does it mean to \u201chold fast<\/em>\u201d or \u201ccling to<\/em>,\u201d or literally \u201cto be joined to<\/em>,\u201d another person? Marriage establishes and protects one\u2019s most fundamental human relationship. More fundamental than father and mother. More fundamental than the resulting children, precious as they are. More fundamental than a best friend.<\/strong><\/p>\u201cWhat is the Mystery of Marriage?\u201d desiringGod.org, July 11, 2018<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>

It is the\u00a0Holy\u00a0Spirit who \u2013 for the Christian couple \u2013 takes this all from theory to reality.<\/strong><\/p>

The Holy Spirit actually inhabits<\/span><\/em> <\/strong>Christian husbands and wives (1 Corinthians 6:19-20<\/a>; 2 Corinthians 1:22<\/a>), and \u201cpours out<\/strong>\u201d His own<\/span><\/strong><\/em> love into the hearts of married Christian couples (Romans 5:5<\/a>). The Spirit \u201cknits<\/strong>\u201d our hearts together (Ephesians 4:1-3<\/a>; Colossians 2:2<\/a>), and creates<\/strong> the \u201cbond of peace<\/strong><\/span><\/em>\u201d between us (Ephesians 4:1-3<\/a>) that He<\/span><\/strong><\/em> helps us to keep (Galatians 5:16-26<\/a>; Ephesians 3:16-17<\/a>; Philippians 4:13<\/a>; John 16:7<\/a>).<\/p>

A victorious life<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

The Bible (Ephesians 5:31-32<\/a>) says the Christian marriage is a \u201cgreat mystery<\/span><\/strong><\/em>,\u201d in the sense that something profound<\/span><\/strong> is being revealed. <\/p>

Meditate on this for a moment. <\/p>

God, the supernatural Creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1<\/a>) \u2013 the Bible calls Him \u201cYahweh<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d (Genesis 22:14<\/a>), and \u201cI am Who I am<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d (Exodus 3:14<\/a>) \u2013 has chosen<\/span><\/em><\/strong> to use the Christian marriage to reveal Himself to this world.<\/p>

As a couple, we \u2013 in the Spirit<\/em> \u2013 possess the character<\/strong><\/span> of God (Matthew 5:9<\/a>; 6:33<\/a>; 1 John 3:9<\/a>), and (to an extent) the supernatural wisdom<\/span><\/strong> and power <\/span><\/strong>of God (1 Corinthians 1:24<\/a>; 4:20<\/a>; Ephesians 1:17-21<\/a>; Colossians 1:11<\/a>; 1 Thessalonians 1:5<\/a>; 2 Thessalonians 1:11<\/a>; James 3:17<\/a>; Proverbs 8:11-12<\/a>, 17-19<\/a>), and are thus able to navigate and overcome adversity in any situation in which we find ourselves (Matthew 7:24-27<\/a>; Romans 8:37<\/a>; 1 John 5:4<\/a>). No matter what life throws our way, we know that with God\u2019s help, we will thrive (2 Corinthians 2:14<\/a>; 1 John 4:4<\/a>; Deuteronomy 28:9<\/a>, 13<\/a>).<\/p>

Righteousness, peace and joy<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

What about the famous statistic that half of all marriages end in divorce? That\u2019s true, but only when it comes to first marriages, half of which are dissolved. Second and third marriages actually fail at a far higher rate<\/p>Forbes Advisor, Jan 8, 2024<\/cite><\/blockquote>

When a Christian couple weds, they make a covenant (Proverbs 2:17<\/a>) to stay together for life (Mark 10:9<\/a>; Romans 7:2-3<\/a>), and although many will say that is at best improbable (Matthew 19:10<\/a>), the Bible says<\/a>, that \u201che who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor<\/span><\/em> from the LORD.\u201d<\/p>

What does that favor look like? Affection<\/span><\/strong> (1 Corinthians 7:3<\/a>), Love<\/span><\/strong> (Ephesians 5:2-33<\/a>; 1 Peter 4:8<\/a>), Respect<\/span><\/strong> (Ephesians 5:21-33<\/a>; 1 Peter 3:7<\/a>) and their resulting blessings (Deuteronomy 28:2<\/a>; Psalm 127:3-5<\/a>; Psalm 128:3<\/a>). <\/p>

Abundance<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

When people hear the word \u201cabundance<\/em>,\u201d they somehow get the picture of some kind of materialistic obsession with things<\/em>, with \u201cstuff<\/em>,\u201d but that\u2019s not what Jesus talked about in John 10:10:<\/p>

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have\u00a0it<\/em>\u00a0more abundantly.<\/p><\/blockquote>

Are you living that kind of life? Are you living abundantly?<\/strong><\/p>

The other day, I heard a scripture that kept repeating itself over and over again in my mind:<\/p>

This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.<\/p>John 17:3<\/cite><\/blockquote>

That kind of \u201ceternal life<\/strong><\/em>\u201d doesn\u2019t begin when we die. The Bible<\/a> uses the word \u201czoe<\/a><\/strong>,\u201d and that means:<\/p>

\"the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical,\"<\/pre>
 and <\/p>
\"life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous.\" <\/pre>
How does that kind of life look in a marriage? Intimacy<\/span><\/strong> (Hebrews 13:4<\/a>; Proverbs 5:18<\/a>; 30:18-19<\/a>), Harmony<\/span><\/strong> (John 17:26<\/a>; Ephesians 4:3-4<\/a>; 1 Peter 3: 8<\/a>; Proverbs 19:14<\/a>; 31:10<\/a>, 11<\/a> Ecclesiastes 4:12<\/a> ;9:9<\/a>), Contentment<\/span><\/strong> (Philippians 4:19<\/a>; James 3:18<\/a>;  3 John 2<\/a>; Revelation 22:1-5<\/a>; Deuteronomy 28:8<\/a>;  Psalm 1:1-3<\/a>; Proverbs 3:9-10<\/a>; 8:32-35<\/a>; 10:22<\/a>; Ezekiel 47:12<\/a>;), and Overflow<\/span><\/strong> (Luke 6:38<\/a>; John 7:38<\/a>; Acts 2:45-46<\/a>; 2 Corinthians 9:7<\/a>; Philippians 2:4<\/a>; 1 Timothy 3:1-5<\/a>; 1 John 3:16-18<\/a>; Proverbs 3:10<\/a>; 22:9<\/a>; 31:20<\/a>, 23<\/a>; Isaiah 58:6-7<\/a>).<\/p>
Hope<\/strong><\/span><\/p>
The first time the word \u201chope\u201d (tiqva<\/a><\/strong><\/em>) is found in Bible is in the book of Ruth<\/a>, which ironically, is the story of a family that had given up hope. However, it is also a story of how God restored that hope  (Ruth 4:13-15<\/a>).  <\/p>
Tiqva = \"hope of deliverance<\/em>\" or \"a hoped-for outcome<\/em>\" <\/pre>
What kind of deliverances or outcomes should Christian couples expect as beloved children of God<\/strong>?<\/em><\/p>
\u201cLove and cherish\u201d<\/strong><\/td>Romans 13:8<\/a><\/td>\u201cLove\u00a0never fails\u2026\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Song of Songs 2:10<\/a><\/td>\u201cRise up, my love, my fair one,
And come away.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Song of Songs 8:6<\/a><\/td>\u201cSet me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love\u00a0is as<\/em>\u00a0strong as death.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Song of Songs 8:7<\/a><\/td>\u201cMany waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
\u201cFor better or worse\u201d<\/strong><\/td>Romans 5:1-2<\/a><\/td>\u201cWe have\u00a0peace with God\u2026 and (we) rejoice in hope\u2026\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Romans 12:12<\/a><\/td>\u201cRejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer\u2026\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Romans 15:13<\/a><\/td>\u201cNow may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Ephesians 1:18<\/a><\/td>\u201cThat you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints\u2026\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Proverbs 10:28<\/a><\/td>\u201cThe hope of the righteous is gladness\u2026\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Proverbs 23:18 <\/a><\/td>\u201cSurely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
\u201cIn sickness and in health\u201d<\/strong><\/td>James 5:15<\/a><\/td>\u201cThe prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>1 Peter 2:24<\/a><\/td>\u201cBy His wounds you have been healed\u2026\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Psalm 103:2-3<\/a><\/td>\u201cBless the LORD\u2026Who heals all your diseases\u2026\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Proverbs 17:22<\/a><\/td>\u201cA joyful heart is good medicine\u2026\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
\u201cFor richer or poorer\u201d<\/strong><\/td>Psalm 1:1-3<\/a><\/td>\u201cBlessed\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0the man\u00a0(whose) delight\u00a0is\u00a0in the law of the LORD\u2026 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Psalm 9:18<\/a><\/td>\u201cFor the needy will not always be forgotten, Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Psalm 37:5<\/a><\/td>\u201cI have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Jeremiah 29:11<\/a><\/td>\u201c\u2018For I know the plans that I have for you,\u2019 declares the Lord, \u2018plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Deuteronomy 28:12<\/a><\/td>\u201cThe LORD\u00a0will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
\u201cTill death do us part\u201d<\/strong><\/td>Matthew 19:6<\/a><\/td>\u201cSo they are no longer two but one flesh.\u00a0What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Psalm 52:8<\/a><\/td>\u201cI\u00a0am\u00a0like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Psalm 91:16<\/a><\/td>\u201cWith long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Psalm 128:3<\/a><\/td>\u201cYour wife\u00a0shall be<\/em>\u00a0like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house\u2026\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Proverbs 31:28-29<\/a><\/td>\u201c(Her husband) praises her: \u2018Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.'\u201d<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Rightful Hopes of<\/em> Christian Couples<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>
Satisfaction<\/strong><\/span><\/p>
In addition, the Bible makes Christian married couples this promise to look forward to<\/span>:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>
The LORD\u00a0will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer(s) of the Breach, the Restorer(s) of Streets to Dwell In\u2026 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>Isaiah 58:11-14<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(Chapter 2 of A Biblical Worldview Affects Every Area of Life) Authentic biblical Christianity\u2019s most obvious fruit will be displayed in our most important relationships, beginning with our marriage. Our New Covenant relationship with God qualifies us \u2013 as God\u2019s beloved children (Ephesians 5:1) \u2013 to experience a rich inheritance (Ephesians 1:11, 1:13-14), eternally \u2013 … Continue reading “How My Relationship with God Affects My Marriage”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[41,169,172,42,19,173,40,174,170,31],"tags":[176,178,175,177,179],"class_list":["post-13671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible","category-biblical-worldview","category-chriistian-marriage","category-christianity","category-living","category-marriage","category-truth","category-wedding","category-worldview-2","category-worldview","tag-christian-marriage","tag-husband","tag-marriage","tag-wedding","tag-wife"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Biblical-Worldview-1.jpg?fit=729%2C419&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13671"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13671"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13671\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13707,"href":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13671\/revisions\/13707"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinkingaccuratelyeducation.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}