26 keys to having an extraordinary Christian marriage

26 Keys to Having An Extraordinary Christian Marriage

by Debbie Taylor Williams

  1. Marry a Christian. 2 Cor 6:14-15
  2. Be filled with and walk by the Spirit. Eph 5:18, Gal 5:24-25
  3. Love one another. 1 Corinthians 13
  4. Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Col 3:18, Eph 5:18, 21
  5. Find your worth and identity in Christ and His love for you. He is your bridegroom! Matthew 9:15, Rev 19:7
  6. Wives, respect your husband. Eph 5:33 Husbands, love your wife as Christ loves the church. Eph 5:25
  7. Pray together. Matthew 18:20
  8. Be angry, but do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Don’t give the devil an opportunity. Ephesians 4:26-27
  9. Follow Biblical principles when wrongs are done. Matthew 18:15
  10. Forgive. Don’t keep an account of wrongs done. Matthew 18:21-22, Prov19:11
  11. Speak the truth in love, with grace. Ephesians 5:28
  12. Be kind to one another. Ephesians 4:32 Husbands, open your wife’s door. Wives, thank him for the small things he does. Express appreciation for each other. Participate in each other’s interests occasionally to show them you care. Treat your spouse the way you want him to treat you. Luke 6:31-33, Matthew 5:46
  13. Turn criticisms into matters of prayer. Matthew 7:3-5
  14. Ask your spouse about their day, what you can do for them, or how you can pray for them; even as Jesus asked. Mark 10:46
  15. Rekindle your passion. Hold that kiss with your spouse! Kiss often: when you leave, when you come home, when you say hi. Kissing is a demonstration of love and care. Luke 7:38, 15:20, Acts 20:37, 1 Thessalonians 5:26
  16. Don’t deny each other sexually. Respect each other’s needs. 1 Corinthians 7:5
  17. Laugh together. Ecclesiastes 3:4
  18. Eat together. It is a time and sign of fellowship. Share food, conversation, and hearts as Jesus did over meals. Luke 22:11, John 6:54, Luke 24:41, John 21:9-10
  19. Recognize that marriage is work. Keep your eyes on the joy before you. Hebrews 12:2
  20. Don’t covet another’s person’s spouse. Hold the marriage bed in honor. Hebrews 13:4. Don’t look at other marriages as the grass being greener on the other side. Water and fertilize your own yard. Plant seeds of kindness. Remove weeds of bitterness and boulders of resentment. Fence in your backyard to protect it from unwanted vandals. Sit on the porch and watch the sun set. Take walks together. Ex 20:17
  21. If you’re angry and have constructive criticism, say it at the right time, not when you’re upset. Prov 15:1
  22. Keep physically fit. Your body is his. His is yours. Encourage and model fitness by what you cook, eat, exercise, and sleep. 1 Cor 6:19-20
  23. Give your spouse a break. No one’s perfect. Give yourself a break. You’re not perfect. Rom 3:23
  24. Never use the “D”(divorce) word. Remove it as an option unless you are in harm’s way. Matthew 19:4
  25. Never leave one another without saying, “I love you.” 1 John 4:11, 19-21
  26. Be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead. 1 Peter 3:8-9