Christian Crier
Today, marriage is a confused and dying institution. The divorce continues to skyrocket, and for many people marriage just doesn’t make sense. Millennials are a great majority of those who are becoming more and more confused. After all, they reason, why get married if we could just live together and act like we’re married anyway? That attitude is certainly prevailing, and it actually makes sense considering a good number of people will get married then divorce a handful of years later. Why bother? It’s unfortunate, but that’s the way society is right now due to the numerous failed marriages over the years. And, the statistics within the church are no different—a high divorce right is prevalent. Something needs to change. I propose that people need to start going to the Scriptures to have a healthy marriage. Without God’s Word, more marriages are doomed to fail. So, here are the top 7 Bible verses for a healthy marriage.
“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love.” Proverbs 5:18-19
These verses come straight within the context in which the author is speaking of the perils of adultery. Ultimately, guys should not be fantasizing about, flirting with, or even becoming best friends with a woman. It’s just a recipe for disaster if they do! All of the man’s energy should be focused on his wife. In return, however, the wife needs to be available for him. How else can he be enraptured with her love if she is never around or complains of a headache every time he wants intimacy? No, I’m saying that the wife is to blame if the man commits adultery. What I am saying, however, is that marriage is a give and take relationship. Both should be mutually working together to achieve what this verse says.
“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10
Every guy must understand how valuable his wife is. She is so valuable that God’s Word claims her worth is far surpassing any rubies or gold. But, the women have to understand that they must be virtuous. In other words, they have to work at it. Yes, every woman has value inherently; but those women who strive for virtue are so precious and even more valuable because of the way they live their life.
“He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.” Proverbs 10:17
This verse may not be specifically referencing marriage, but it’s still very important and applicable. If a husband and wife are teachable and open to correction, they will last in their marriage. In fact, they will be more likely to have open and honest communication, acknowledge their faults and shortcomings, and offer forgiveness a bit more easily.
“Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.” Song of Solomon 2:15
Back in the day, people had a problem chasing and warding off foxes. They had to be diligent in constructing fences and other things that would prevent foxes from coming and destroying what they’ve been growing. This certainly has application in a marital relationship. Both spouses must work together to point out any broken fences in their relationship. When they do, they must build it back up in order to keep things from coming in and ruining a relationship. Some of these “foxes” often come in the form of past relationships, sexual abuse, addiction, and or dishonesty. If these things aren’t caught, they will certainly hurt the relationship.
“With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2
Being humble and gentle is extremely important. It allows for easy communication and safety while sharing any wrongdoings or asking for forgiveness. If both husband and wife come together with this attitude, they will build a stronger marriage.
“The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” 1 Corinthians 7:4
Husbands often like to throw this verse in the face of their wives in order to spiritually coerce them into having sex more frequently. But, if they have to use the Bible to get that, chances are they are doing something wrong. This verse speaks about both the husband and the wife! It’s a give and take relationship, remember? Yes, the wife should be open to physical intimacy in order to love her husband. But, the husband needs to be treating her with love, respect, and dignity; sometimes this means sacrificing their own pleasure to meet the needs of the wife, whether it is through listening to her or doing chores around the house. And, guys don’t forget what verse came before this…
“Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:3
Affection works both ways; it’s needed by the husband and the wife, but often in different ways. The husband may feel affection through physical means such as sex, while the wife may feel it more emotionally, often through acts of love through service. As Gary Chapman would say, every person speaks a different love language; both spouses need to figure out what the other one’s is in order to truly love and care for them. Or, in the way the Bible put it, render to them the affection that is due.
Conclusion
God’s Word provides the remedy for society’s marriage problem. It all starts with the heart, and these bible verses show that. Do you have any more Bible verses that have helped your marriage? Go ahead and share it in a comment below!
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