What are some keys to a happy, strong marriage?
Joshua 24:15“If you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Amos 3:3Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?
2 Corinthians 6:14Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?
A united purpose to serve God is key to a strong marriage. If we want to take a walk with someone, we must decide together on the direction. If we want to walk through life with a spouse, we must decide together which eternal destination we will walk toward.
Proverbs 5:15Drink water from your own well— share your love only with your wife.
Proverbs 5:18-19Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love.
Hebrews 13:4Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
Faithfulness to one’s spouse is key to a strong and happy marriage. We can have no real trust or intimacy without faithfulness.
Matthew 19:4-6“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
Commitment to stay together is essential for a strong and lasting relationship. If we leave open the option for splitting up some day, chances are we will. If we don’t see breaking up as an option, we will prioritize making the marriage work in all circumstances. This commitment joins us together in pursuing and accomplishing united life-long goals.
Romans 15:1-2We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.
Ephesians 5:21-25Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her.
Self-sacrifice is essential in a strong marriage. This requires that we put our spouse’s needs and interests first before our own.
Romans 12:6In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.
Romans 15:5-6May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In marriage we must understand each other’s differences and celebrate them. This fosters respect for each other and turns differences that would normally annoy or distract us into unique strengths that interest and help us.
Ephesians 5:21, 33Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. . . . So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Mutual submission in serving one another requires vulnerability and commitment, essential keys to a strong marriage.
James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Praying with and for each other helps to bond a husband and wife.
Proverbs 27:6Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.
2 Corinthians 1:13-14Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.
Colossians 4:6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Communication is essential to a strong and happy marriage. Mind-reading is only possible for God, and things will happen in our lives that affect each of person differently. We should talk to our spouses and keep the lines of communication open, even when the conversation is awkward or hard. Instead of making each other guess what we are thinking, we need to be clear and honest. This will build trust and comfort into our marriage relationship.
Proverbs 31:28-29Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
Proverbs 31:31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
Regular affirmation will enhance each other’s value and build a strong marriage. Everyone needs to feel valued. We need to find ways to affirm our spouse each day, and we will build strength and joy in our marriages.
Song of Songs 1:2Kiss me and kiss me again, for your love is sweeter than wine.
1 Corinthians 7:3The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs.
A healthy sex life is important for a strong and happy marriage because it allows each person to express intimacy and vulnerability in a way unique from any other relationship. Husband and wife can share special closeness that demonstrates their complete openness with one another. This is what sets marriage apart as a committed relationship like no other and makes it a symbol of our relationship with God.
Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
Colossians 3:14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Showing unconditional love means doing what is right even when our spouse hurts us. Consistently demonstrating unconditional love is difficult to do in a marriage but also the best way to have a great relationship and to win over the heart of even a difficult spouse.
