‘“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.’ Ephesians 5:31-32 NKJV
Welcome to the 7th weekly devotional recap of the year. In this week’s articles, we saw God’s design for marriage, and we learnt to build a peaceful and intimate marriage, even in the face of conflict.
We started the week with a lesson on love and respect within the confines of marriage. Despite the different opinions on what marriage should look like based on experience and societal expectations, the best person to look to for its meaning is its creator, God. The best way to do marriage is God’s way. Marriage thrives when God’s principles are applied, with partners playing their God-given roles, loving and respecting each other (Ephesians 5:25).
Tuesday’s article provided practical tips for building a peaceful marriage. Understanding that effective communication, forgiveness, and prayer are crucial, we learned that a beautiful and peaceful marriage is achievable when both parties commit to doing the work it takes (Isaiah 32:18, Ephesians 4:2-3); this is God’s desire.
On Wednesday, we learnt how to build intimacy in marriage. God’s plan for marriage is the oneness of two people (Genesis 2:24), which couples can achieve through deliberate effort. Be intentional about doing things that will bring you closer to your spouse emotionally, physically, spiritually, and intellectually. Building intimacy in marriage will lead to unity of purpose, and the synergistic effect is outstanding (Ecclesiastes 4:9, Matthew 18:19). Take intentional steps to build and improve the intimacy in your marriage.
Thursday’s devotional emphasised God’s design for marriage, which is for two to become one in Christ. Just as a common root unites a tree’s branches, a good marriage is one rooted in Christ’s love, and this love will flow through every aspect of the marriage and provide stability despite storms (Colossians 3:14). Let your marriage be a testament to the transformative power of God’s love.
We ended the week with a lesson on handling conflict. Because marriage is a relationship between two people with distinct personalities, conflict is inevitable; however, it is not always bad. When faced with conflict, you should prioritise working together and not against each other (Amos 3:3). The goal is to improve the relationship, not to prove the other person wrong.
In all of this, take all conflict to God and let the Spirit of God in you influence your actions. Instead of allowing the offence to linger, forgive, and don’t give the devil a foothold in your marriage (2 Corinthians 2:11). Conflict can be an opportunity for deeper intimacy with your partner as long as you are ready to work through it.
Dear believer, marriage is instituted by God, so as you build yours, look to Him for wisdom and guidance, and you will build a beautiful marriage that mirrors the union between Christ and the Church.
Bible Reading Plan Catchup