S) "3 The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does."
1 Corinthians 7:3-4 (NASB)
O) I often hear people say that marriage is about comprimise. I think that's false. Recently, I heard a good bit of wisdom that summed up how I feel. "Marriage isn't about comprimise, it's about sacrifice."
I agree with this much more accurately. Comprimise, to me, speaks to some kind of bargaining. Like, I'll give up "D" but only if I get to keep "A, B, and C" so I can keep somethings to make me happy. The problem, though, is that comprimise is still a selfish outlook. Marriage needs to be about sacrifice, because then it's not about you, it's about your spouse.
A) With regard to the above passage, specifically, it stood out today. I've always thought of this instruction as regarding sex, but I think it clearly goes way beyond that. My wife needs me for all sorts of things. She relies on my strength for practical, trivial things, like opening jars, moving certain furnature. She also relies on my strength for hypothetical, fantastic things, like protecting our home from ringwraiths. But my duty goes far beyond my physical abilities. In anything that my wife asks of me, I need to be willing (excepting actual sin). I need to respond as though she literally controls my body, but not under compulsion. I need to be a willing vessel to help her in all things.
P) Father, continue to change my heart. Remove selfish motives and laziness, God. Holy Spirit, remind me of this passage often, so that I have the right mindset regarding how I need to help my wife. Thank You for giving me a wife who reciprocates this principle, God. Help me honor her sacrifices and her willingness to act out of compassionate obedience. Let me never take that for granted, and always place her concerns ahead of my own. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
I agree with this much more accurately. Comprimise, to me, speaks to some kind of bargaining. Like, I'll give up "D" but only if I get to keep "A, B, and C" so I can keep somethings to make me happy. The problem, though, is that comprimise is still a selfish outlook. Marriage needs to be about sacrifice, because then it's not about you, it's about your spouse.
A) With regard to the above passage, specifically, it stood out today. I've always thought of this instruction as regarding sex, but I think it clearly goes way beyond that. My wife needs me for all sorts of things. She relies on my strength for practical, trivial things, like opening jars, moving certain furnature. She also relies on my strength for hypothetical, fantastic things, like protecting our home from ringwraiths. But my duty goes far beyond my physical abilities. In anything that my wife asks of me, I need to be willing (excepting actual sin). I need to respond as though she literally controls my body, but not under compulsion. I need to be a willing vessel to help her in all things.
P) Father, continue to change my heart. Remove selfish motives and laziness, God. Holy Spirit, remind me of this passage often, so that I have the right mindset regarding how I need to help my wife. Thank You for giving me a wife who reciprocates this principle, God. Help me honor her sacrifices and her willingness to act out of compassionate obedience. Let me never take that for granted, and always place her concerns ahead of my own. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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