TURNING
YOUR MARITAL ENDURANCE TO ENJOYMENT
Ephesians 5: 15-33
Marriage is an institution of God. It is God’s welfare
package for man and so it is expected to be enjoyed rather than endured.
Unfortunately, most couples today are only enduring their marriage rather than
enjoying it. The joy that God has designed to be produced by marriage has
totally eluded many families. Most so called Christian homes today are nothing
but hell on earth. The aim of his message is to let you know that you can still
enjoy your marriage rather than enduring it. Understanding the joy
killers in the home and avoiding them as much as possible is the major clue to
turning your marital endurance to enjoyment. May your family be
reformed and transformed by the message, in Jesus name.
THE JOY
KILLERS IN THE HOME
·
Absence of
Christ: Marriage is a waste
of life if Christ is absent from it. Partners in marriage must be
genuinely born again to enjoy a blissful marriage. When a partner is born again
and the other is not, there can be no joy in the family. You cannot force your
partner to live a Christian life when you yourself fail o do so. A Godly
home is the coming together of regenerated man and woman in holy wedlock.
Living a regenerated life with cordial relationship with Christ is the first
step to turning your marital endurance to enjoyment.
·
Leakages in
the Home: Leakages in the Home could be caused by (a) allowing
the influence of the third party to dominate he affairs of the home, (b)
inviting strange women/men into the home through extra-marital relationship, (c)
unpaid bride price and bridal demands, (d) revealing family secrets
to outsiders, etc. All these are capable of pulling down a home.
·
Loss of
First Love and Sense of Submission: Once you allow your “Day-one”
love to disappear, the expected joy in your home will disappear with it. (Rev.
2:4; Eph. 5:25). Also lack of submission on the part of the wife is against
Biblical principles for a Godly home and consequently a joy killer. (Eph. 5:22;
I Pet. 3:1-6).
·
Domineering
Attitude on the part of the Husband: You cannot have a strong principle and have
Christ. Any principle that is not Godly or Biblical is capable of spoiling the
joy of your marriage. Husbands are enjoined to deal gently with their wives as
weaker vessels, (I Pet. 3:7), and allow the Holy Spirit to direct their
policies and principles as against family or ancestral traditions (Rom. 8:14).
·
Lack of
Sense of Commitment to the Marriage:
When the sense of commitment is lost; partners will not care if the marriage
collapses. I don’t care attitude will set in which is capable of
threatening the joy of the marriage.
·
Failure of
Partners to fulfill Marital Obligations: Sexual satisfaction (both
partners), provision for the family (husband, especially), taking good care of
the home and children (wife), etc are marital obligations that will engender
love and joy in the home.
·
Misappropriation
of Family financial Resources:
This too can kill marriage if not given Godly consideration.
·
Lack of
Regard for Body Neatness: Your
partner must be proud of you from time to time. He/she must be willing to go
out with you without feeling ashamed. Care of teeth, air do, cloth, etc. is
very important if you must continue to look beautiful/handsome o your partner.
The success of your home depends on you. Whether you
are going to endure or enjoy your marriage depends on you. You can make your
marriage work if you want to. You must realize the untold problem and hardship
marital disharmony can cause your children and your Christian testimony. Begin
to take steps towards marital enjoyment NOW.
