Introduction
As you’ve probably heard, nearly half of all marriages now end in divorce, leaving bitter spouses and confused children in their wake. Don’t let this happen to you! Whether your marriage is going through tough times now or is experiencing marital bliss, or even if you’re not yet married but considering to marry, here’s some free but proven advice to help your marriage last. Follow the keys in this guide, and you will secure your home.
1. Remember that God joined you together in marriage.
“For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife. … Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Matthew 19:5, 6. Don’t forget that God Himself joined you together in marriage with your spouse, and He intends for you to stay together and be happy. He will bring happiness and love into your lives if you will obey His divine rules (commandments).
“For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife. … Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Matthew 19:5, 6. Don’t forget that God Himself joined you together in marriage with your spouse, and He intends for you to stay together and be happy. He will bring happiness and love into your lives if you will obey His divine rules (commandments).
2. Guard your thoughts.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23. “Whatsoever things are true, … honest, … just, … pure, … lovely, … of good report; … think on these things.” Philippians 4:8. The wrong kind of thinking will destroy your marriage. The devil can trap you with thoughts like these: “Our marriage was a mistake.” “She doesn’t understand me.” “I can’t take much more of this.” “We can always divorce if necessary.” “I’ll go home to mother.” “He smiled at that woman.” Stop thinking/accepting thoughts like these into your mind or your marriage is gone, because your thoughts and senses govern your actions. Avoid seeing, saying, reading, or hearing anything that (or associating with anyone who) suggests impurity or unfaithfulness. Thoughts uncontrolled are like an automobile in neutral on a hill. Anything can happen, and the result is always disaster
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23. “Whatsoever things are true, … honest, … just, … pure, … lovely, … of good report; … think on these things.” Philippians 4:8. The wrong kind of thinking will destroy your marriage. The devil can trap you with thoughts like these: “Our marriage was a mistake.” “She doesn’t understand me.” “I can’t take much more of this.” “We can always divorce if necessary.” “I’ll go home to mother.” “He smiled at that woman.” Stop thinking/accepting thoughts like these into your mind or your marriage is gone, because your thoughts and senses govern your actions. Avoid seeing, saying, reading, or hearing anything that (or associating with anyone who) suggests impurity or unfaithfulness. Thoughts uncontrolled are like an automobile in neutral on a hill. Anything can happen, and the result is always disaster
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3. Never go to bed at night angry with each other.
“Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Ephesians 4:26. “Confess your faults one to another.” James 5:16. “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. To remain angry and upset over hurts and grievances (big or little) is exceedingly dangerous. Unless quickly solved, even little problems become set in your mind as convictions and attitudes adversely affecting your whole philosophy of life. This is why God says to let anger cool before retiring at night. Be big enough to forgive and humble enough to say with sincerity, “I’m sorry.” No one is perfect, and you are both on the same team, so be humble enough to honestly admit a mistake when you make it.
“Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Ephesians 4:26. “Confess your faults one to another.” James 5:16. “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. To remain angry and upset over hurts and grievances (big or little) is exceedingly dangerous. Unless quickly solved, even little problems become set in your mind as convictions and attitudes adversely affecting your whole philosophy of life. This is why God says to let anger cool before retiring at night. Be big enough to forgive and humble enough to say with sincerity, “I’m sorry.” No one is perfect, and you are both on the same team, so be humble enough to honestly admit a mistake when you make it.
4. Let Christ be at the center of your home.
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” Psalms 127:1. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6. This is the golden rule. It really covers all the others. Put Christ first! The real secret of true happiness in the home is not diplomacy, strategy, and untiring effort to overcome problems, money, comfort, physical beauty but rather, our union with Christ. Hearts filled with the love of Christ’s can never be very far apart. With Christ in the home, marriage will be successful. The gospel is the cure for all marriages that are filled with hatred, bitterness, and disappointment. It prevents thousands of divorces by miraculously restoring love, trust, joy, happiness, and peace……… Etc
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” Psalms 127:1. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6. This is the golden rule. It really covers all the others. Put Christ first! The real secret of true happiness in the home is not diplomacy, strategy, and untiring effort to overcome problems, money, comfort, physical beauty but rather, our union with Christ. Hearts filled with the love of Christ’s can never be very far apart. With Christ in the home, marriage will be successful. The gospel is the cure for all marriages that are filled with hatred, bitterness, and disappointment. It prevents thousands of divorces by miraculously restoring love, trust, joy, happiness, and peace……… Etc
5. Pray together.
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:19 “Pray one for another.” James 5:16. Pray together and also pray for each other privately! This is a wonderful rule that brings success into your marriage beyond your wildest imagination. Kneel before God and ask Him for true love for one another, for forgiveness, for strength, for wisdom to solve the problems facing your marriage. God has given a personal guarantee that He will answer. The praying person is not automatically cured of all of his faults, but he will have a heart that wants to do right. No family ever breaks up while sincerely praying together for God’s help.
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:19 “Pray one for another.” James 5:16. Pray together and also pray for each other privately! This is a wonderful rule that brings success into your marriage beyond your wildest imagination. Kneel before God and ask Him for true love for one another, for forgiveness, for strength, for wisdom to solve the problems facing your marriage. God has given a personal guarantee that He will answer. The praying person is not automatically cured of all of his faults, but he will have a heart that wants to do right. No family ever breaks up while sincerely praying together for God’s help.
