I recently read about a professional counselor writing the top 20 reasons he hears on why couples stay together in their marriages:
- My spouse and I are best friends.
- We enjoy our time together.
- I like my spouse as a person.
- Marriage is a lifelong commitment.
- My spouse is interested in me as a person.
- Marriage is sacred.
- We have common dreams and goals.
- Children need a stable home.
- My spouse is positive and builds me up.
- I want the relationship to succeed.
- We respect and appreciate each other.
- My spouse encourages my personal growth.
- We laugh together.
- I trust my spouse.
- We have a positive sexual life.
- We have built a secure and comfortable life together.
- My spouse accepts me for who I am.
- We have shared beliefs and interests.
- We communicate well.
- I respect my spouse.
Here are the top passages of Scripture that focus on marriage:
- Marriage is instututed by God (Genesis 2:18-25)
- Companionship and intimacy are at the heart of marriage (Genesis 2:18, 24)
- Marriage parallels the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:23, 31-32)
- The husband is the head of the home (Ephesians 5:23) and exercises that role in love (Colossians 3:19)
- The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:25)
- The husband is to treat his wife with respect, which has consequences on his spiritual life (1 Peter 3:7)
- The husband must manage his household well (1 Timothy 3:4)
- The husband and father is responsible for the training of children (Ephesians 6:4)
- God’s design is that the wife be a suitable helper for the husband (Gen 2:18)
- Husbands and wifes practice submission as the Church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:21, 22-24, Colossians 3:18, 1 Peter 3:1-2)
- The Bible describes a noble woman (Proverbs 31:10-31)
- Fear of God is more important than physical beauty (Proverbs 31:30, 1 Peter 3:3-4)
- The couple must not fight and devour one another (Galatians 5:15)
- The couple must quickly persue peace (Matthew 5:23-24, Romans 12:18)
- A house divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25)
- Parents must keep loving those who are wayward (2 Samuel 18:33 – after all Absalom did to David).
[print_link]