Thread by @Tutsy22

1. No one sets out deliberately to damage his/her marriage. We all want happy, satisfying marriages.But bcos we live in an evil world that subtly influences us more than we realize, many sincere couples drift into a number of dangers that can destroy their marriages.
#Tutsystweet

2. While no marriage is perfect, when believers avoid the world’s ways and apply the wisdom of God’s Word in their marriages, their marriages will be healthy.

3. Keep in mind that the main goal of marriage is not our happiness, but rather God’s glory. Our marriages are a picture of Christ and His bride, the church (Eph. 5:32).

Because we live in evil times, avoid the world’s dangers and apply God’s wisdom to your marriage.

4. Some of these dangers are more deadly than others. If you fall into more than one, the damage is multiplied.

A) Poor communication will damage your marriage. Poor communication is one of the most prevalent causes of marital problems. It can take many different forms.

To be dishonest about how you feel or not to say anything to avoid conflict may seem loving, but it’s not truthful, and will lead to long term distance in the relationship.

B) Anger and abusive speech will damage your marriage.

Sinful anger is always destructive to healthy relationships. James 1:19-20 cautions, “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

In marriage, partners use anger to try to intimidate and control their mates. But it always creates distance in relationships and it is always destructive!

C) Bitterness and a lack of forgiveness will damage your marriage.

After commanding (Eph. 4:31), “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger, slander be put away from you, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

The antidote to bitterness and anger is forgiveness. Over the years, married couples will invariably wrong one other. If they do not deal with those wrongs God’s way, it slowly builds a dividing wall of resentment and bitterness.

Thus it’s important to keep short accounts with your partner. If you lost your temper and yelled, don’t say, “I’m sorry that I yelled at you, but your stubbornness makes me angry!” That is to blame your partner for your sin. Don’t even say, “I’m sorry that I yelled at you.”

As Christians, we don’t have the option not to forgive someone who asks forgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-35). By saying, “I forgive you,” the relationship can be restored.

D) Sexual immorality (beginning on the thought level) will damage your marriage.

I emphasize, beginning on the thought level, because Jesus said that all immorality begins in the heart (Mark 7:21-23; Matt. 5:27-28).

This means, that if you’re secretly lusting after one other than your partner or you’re looking at pornography, you’re sabotaging your marriage. You’re on the slippery slope that leads to physical immorality!

E) Selfishness will damage your marriage.

Selfishness takes many forms. Selfishness is the root cause of anger. A selfish partner insists that he/she is right and he/she won’t listen to or yield to any other views.

Such person does not think about the needs of the other person in the marriage.

* Buying things for yourself only buy but denying your partner of the the same privilege.

* Spending time with your friends, but not let your partner do the same because of your own needs.

F) Competition instead of cooperation will damage your marriage.

Many couples are vying for dominance and power in their marriage. It often comes through in the way they exchange barbed comments or use humor to try to put one another down.

Competing against each other will result to jealousy.

One big issue in many African homes, is having a wife who is more successful. Pls support your wife even if she is making more money than you. The blessing your marriage need for a breakthrough might be tied to her success.

G) Financial irresponsibility will damage your marriage.

Disagreements over money are a major cause of divorce. A couple like that will have to work overtime to live together in harmony.The starting point is to study what God’s Word says about financial stewardship.

H) Mismanaging your time will damage your marriage.

It’s easy to fall into the workaholic trap, where you neglect your family. Or, many families get overloaded with too many activities. Or a husband & wife are going in different directions and not spending enough time together.

I) Wrong expectations and goals will damage your marriage.

Many couples enter marriage with unstated expectations. If a man’s expectation is that his wife stay home, keep house, and care for the children, but her expectation is to have a successful career, conflict is ahead!

If a wife expects that her new husband will make a pile of money so that they can move up in the world and enjoy the good life, but his expectation is to live simply and give the rest to missions, a train wreck is in the making!

The solution is to talk about expectations & mutually establish goals for your marriage. Putting career success over marital success is a wrong goal. Living to impress others by getting a bigger house, newer more expensive cars, is a wrong goal. 1 Tim. 6:7-10)

J) Worldliness will damage your marriage.

To be worldly is to adopt the world’s values, goals, and ways as opposed to the values, goals, and ways of God’s Word. Worldliness seeps into the cracks of your life when you’re not looking, so be on guard!

The world says, “Marriage is to make you happy. If your marriage is not making you happy, you should divorce and go find someone else who will make you happy.” God says, “Your lifelong marriage is to bring Me glory by reflecting the relationship between Christ and the church.”

K) Drifting from the Lord will damage your marriage.

Marriage is like a triangle with God at the top and the couple at both lower corners. As the couple both move closer to the Lord, they grow closer to one another.

Or, if they go in the opposite direction, they grow more distant from one another. As each partner grows in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), they will grow closer to one another.

Your marriage and family are the proving ground for God’s will to be displayed.

Have a fab week.

ONE CAN CHASE A THOUSAND, BUT TWO, IN UNITY, CAN DO SO MUCH MORE! You may be mighty in Prayer alone, but you can be mightier with someone joining you.