A Practically Good Marriage 1 Cor. 7:3-5 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

This is the second broadcast in our series on a good marriage.  This message is on a practically good marriage.  That is there are practical things that you can do in your marriage to make it good and keep it good.  A practically good marriage requires:

Benevolence – 1 Cor 7:3, “let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.”  To render due benevolence is to do good for your spouse and to promote his or her welfare.  It is to regard with affection.  So, spend time together.  Offer mutual support.  Do nice things for each other.  Be affectionate.  Speak fondly of each other and to each other, publicly and privately.  Be courteous.  Be thankful for each other.  Rejoice together.  Console each other.

Natural Affection – 1 Cor 7:4-5, “that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”  As John R. Rice said, “Sex relations between husband and wife are normal, beautiful, good, and have not only the permission, but the blessing of God.”  Heb 13:4 says, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled.”  Sex should be enjoyed for your mutual pleasure.  A good marriage benefits from a good bedroom.  Don’t defile it by bringing perversion and the world into it.  Your natural affection is inhibited when you fornicate before marriage, so don’t do that.  Save yourself for your spouse and wait until you are married to begin to understand and enjoy sex.

Purity – Matt 5:28, “whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”  So, husband, keep your eyes from other women.  Keep yourself from pornography and fornication.  Heb 13:4 says, “but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”   1 Tim 2:9, “in like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel.”  Wife, don’t dress to attract the attention of other men.  Be modest.  Keep yourselves pure.  Flee youthful lusts.  Be faithful to each other in thought, word and action.

Kindness and Forgiveness – Eph 4:32, “and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”  You and your spouse are not perfect.  So, when you mess up be quick to ask for forgiveness and be quick to forgive when your spouse messes up.  Remember that what often seems like the other person’s fault is often your fault.  It’s hard to see that when you are mad.  So, you must be honest about these things. And be kind to each other.  There’s no need to raise your voice.  Be tenderhearted.

Contentment – 1 Tim 6:7-10 – live within your means.  More marriages collapse over financial difficulties than probably any other single cause.  So, be content with such things as ye have.  Having food and raiment therewith be content.  They are enough.  Remember, you have each other and that’s what matters.  Money cannot buy happiness.

Conclusion: these are practical means to a good marriage.  Use them and live by them.