How to Protect & Nature Your Marriage

10/16/23 – 10/20/23

Honor with Love

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/20/23

The subject of roles within a marriage can be a topic for strong debate. However, God has a clear design for us to follow. There are specific roles for a husband and a wife.

Many couples struggle with their marriage because they fail to apply God’s principles to their lives and to their relationships. And thus, they miss a blessing.

The word submission has become a very emotional word for many people. We often resist submitting our lives to one another because we fear we will be hurt. However, when we follow God’s plan for submission, the result is not a low self-esteem, as some would have us believe. Instead, it is an increased sense of love for our partner and for the Lord.

Without a doubt, Jesus Christ is our model for godly submission. He submitted His life to God’s plan to the point of enduring death on the cross. He trusted the Father and brought glory to God and salvation to the world.

When we obey God’s commands and base our plan for marriage on His Word, our lives are transformed, and our marriages are strengthened. We learn to love one another the way Jesus loves us. Submission no longer is an issue to be debated; it is the natural thing to do. Paul writes:

[A]s God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:12-13).

Do you honor your spouse above yourself? Is your desire to give love and support rather than to tear down? When you honor one another with your love, you really are honoring the Lord.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for modeling submission and trust in the Father. May I submit to His will for my life and my marriage, remembering both God’s love for me and my spouse and rejoicing in His perfect wisdom. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).