RELATION-TIPS

2 Corinthians 6:14-17

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Genesis 2:24

24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon You and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Proverbs 31:30

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

II. HEALTHY MARRIAGES ARE BUILT ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

Matthew 7:24

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Psalm 127:1

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain…

Ephesians 5:21

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:33

33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself…

1 Peter 3:7

7  Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

1 Timothy 5:8

8  But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Ephesians 5:22-24

22  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  23  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.  24  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Proverbs 14:1

14 A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 18:21

21  The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

11  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Peter 3:1-6

3 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the perishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,

III. COMMUNICATION IS THE CURRENCY OF INTIMACY

James 1:19

Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

Ephesians 4:29

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Colossians 3:12-13

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

IV. LOVE IS FORTIFIED IN FORGIVENESS AND GRACE

1 Corinthians 13:5

Love keeps no record of wrongs.

1) Guard your spiritual life together.

Joshua 24:15

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

a. Worship, read, pray, fast, serve, and seek God as a team.

2) Protect your communication.

a. Establish safe spaces for honest dialogue. Refuse sarcasm, contempt, and silent treatment.

3) Set healthy boundaries.

a. Maintain emotional and physical boundaries with others. Protect time, finances, and friendships that honor your marriage.

4) Invest continually in your growth.

a. If needed, seek professional counseling—counsel is prevention, not just repair.

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.