Marriage 101
In order to talk about marriage, we have to understand what it really is and what it looks like lived out in our everyday lives. The starting point in this process is realizing that marriage is about two equal halves coming together to make one whole. Both halves are equal in every way and one is not better than the other.
For the wife does not have [exclusive] authority and control over her body, but the husband [has his rights]; likewise also the husband does not have [exclusive] authority and control over his body but the wife [has her rights].
1 Cor. 7:4 Amplified
For many years I had a hard time understanding this verse. It wasn't until I understood what humility meant that I began to see the true scope and meaning of authority in marriage. Let me also say that this verse is not limited only to the bedroom. It applies to every aspect of the marriage relationship and from it come several principles that teach us how to live together as two halves of a whole.
1 - Dominance destroys a marriage.
One of the most common misconceptions about this verse is that one spouse is to dominate the other. This verse is not a license to abuse your spouse or treat them any way you wish.
Especially in marriage (but also in every relationship) dominance belittles one person while making the other falsely feel they are the "better half." When God looks at marriage, He sees one whole not two halves. Both people are absolutely and totally equal. One is not better than the other and there are no favorites.
The Bible clearly warns us not to think too highly of ourselves and this is especially true in our marriage. We all have issues that we are dealing with and marriage was intended to be the safe place for us to work together with another person in order to overcome the habits and hang-ups that we carry around with us. Dominance has no place here.
For time sake I will stop here today and address another priciple tomorrow. I strongly encourage you to spend some time talking to Jesus about your marriage and be open to what He teaches you.
Heidirn
For the wife does not have [exclusive] authority and control over her body, but the husband [has his rights]; likewise also the husband does not have [exclusive] authority and control over his body but the wife [has her rights].
1 Cor. 7:4 Amplified
For many years I had a hard time understanding this verse. It wasn't until I understood what humility meant that I began to see the true scope and meaning of authority in marriage. Let me also say that this verse is not limited only to the bedroom. It applies to every aspect of the marriage relationship and from it come several principles that teach us how to live together as two halves of a whole.
1 - Dominance destroys a marriage.
One of the most common misconceptions about this verse is that one spouse is to dominate the other. This verse is not a license to abuse your spouse or treat them any way you wish.
Especially in marriage (but also in every relationship) dominance belittles one person while making the other falsely feel they are the "better half." When God looks at marriage, He sees one whole not two halves. Both people are absolutely and totally equal. One is not better than the other and there are no favorites.
The Bible clearly warns us not to think too highly of ourselves and this is especially true in our marriage. We all have issues that we are dealing with and marriage was intended to be the safe place for us to work together with another person in order to overcome the habits and hang-ups that we carry around with us. Dominance has no place here.
For time sake I will stop here today and address another priciple tomorrow. I strongly encourage you to spend some time talking to Jesus about your marriage and be open to what He teaches you.
Heidirn
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