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KeysforaHappyMarriage
Lesson #5 As you've probably heard, nearly half of all marriages now end in divorce, leaving bitter spouses and confused children in their wake. Don'tletthishappentoyou!Whetheryourmarriageisgoingthrough toughtimesorisexperiencingmaritalbliss,orevenifyou'renotyet marriedbutconsideringit,here'ssomefreebutprovenadvicetohelp your marriage last. It's straight from God, the one who created and ordainedmarriage!Ifyou'vetriedeverythingelse,whynotgiveGoda chance? Follow the keys in this guide, and you can secure your home. SeventeenRulesforaHappyMarriageFromGod'sGreat Book

1.Establishyourownprivatehome. "Thereforeshallamanleavehisfatherandhismother,andshall cleaveuntohiswife:andtheyshallbeoneflesh."Genesis2:24. Answer: God's rule is specific. A married couple must leave fatherandmotherandestablishtheirownhome,eveniffinances requirethatitbeaoneroomapartment.Husbandandwifeshould decide together on such policies as these. Then she should informherrelativesandhe,his.Theymustremainfirmnomatter who opposes. Thousands of divorces would be avoided if this rulewerecarefullyfollowed.

Establishyourownhome,evenif itmustbeaoneroomapartment.

2.Continueyourcourtship. "Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love coversamultitudeofsins."1Peter4:8,RSV.*"Herhusband... praisethher."Proverbs31:28."Shethatismarriedcareth...how she may please her husband." 1 Corinthians 7:34. "Be kindly affectionedonetoanother...inhonourpreferringoneanother." Romans12:10.

NeverforgetthatGodHimself joinedyouinmarriage.

Answer: Continue (or perhaps revive) the courtesies of courtship in your married life. Successful marriages do not just happen they must be developed. Don't take each other for granted, or the monotony that results will destroy your marriage. Keep love growing by expressingloveforoneanotheroritwilldie,andyouwilldriftapart.Loveandhappinessarenot foundbyseekingthemforyourself,butratherbygivingthemtoothers.Sospendasmuchtime as possible doing things together if you would get along well. Learn to greet each other with www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4982/t/Print Page

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as possible doing things together if you would get along well. Learn to greet each other with enthusiasm. Relax, visit, shop, sightsee, eat together. Don't overlook the little courtesies, encouragements, and affectionate acts. Surprise each other with little gifts or favors. Try to "outlove"eachother.Don'ttakemoreoutofmarriagethanyouputintoit.Divorceitselfisnotthe greatestdestroyerofmarriage,butrather,lackoflove.Givenachance,lovealwayswins. *TheRevisedStandardVersionoftheBible,(C)1946,1952,1971bytheDivisionofChristian EducationoftheNationalCounciloftheChurchesofChristintheUSA.Usedbypermission.

3.RememberthatGodjoinedyoutogetherinmarriage. "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleavetohiswife....Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."Matthew19:5,6. Answer: Has love almost disappeared from your home? The devil (that notorious homebreaker) is responsible for this. Don't forget that God Himself joined you together in marriage, and He intends for you to stay together and be happy. He will bring happinessandloveintoyourlivesifyouwillobeyHisdivinerules Surpriseeachotherwithlittle (commandments). "With God all things are possible." Matthew gifts. 19:26. Don't despair. God, who places love in the heart of a missionaryforaleproussavage,caneasilygiveyouloveforeachotherifyouwillletHim.

4.Guardyourthoughtsdon'tletyoursensestrapyou. "Forashethinkethinhisheart,soishe."Proverbs 23:7. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife." Exodus 20:17. "Keep thy heartwithalldiligenceforoutofitaretheissuesoflife."Proverbs 4:23. "Whatsoever things are true, ... honest, ... just, ... pure, ... lovely,...ofgoodreport...thinkonthesethings."Philippians4:8.

Thewrongkindofthinkingcan destroyyourmarriage.

Answer:Thewrongkindofthinkingwilldestroyyourmarriage. The devil will trap you with thoughts like these: "Our marriage was a mistake." "She doesn't understandme.""Ican'ttakemuchmoreofthis.""Wecanalwaysdivorceifnecessary.""I'llgo hometomother.""Hesmiledatthatwoman."Stopthinkingthoughtsliketheseoryourmarriage isgone,becauseyourthoughtsandsensesgovernyouractions.Avoidseeing,saying,reading, orhearinganythingthat(orassociatingwithanyonewho)suggestsimpurityorunfaithfulness. Thoughtsuncontrolledarelikeanautomobileinneutralonahill.Anythingcanhappen,andthe resultisalwaysdisaster.

5.Neverretireforthenightangrywitheachother. www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4982/t/Print Page

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5.Neverretireforthenightangrywitheachother. "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26. "Confess your faults one to another."James5:16."Forgettingthosethingswhicharebehind."Philippians3:13."Beyekind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgivenyou."Ephesians4:32. Answer:Toremainangryandupsetoverhurtsandgrievances(bigorlittle)isexceedingly dangerous.Unlessquicklysolved,evenlittleproblemsbecomesetinyourmindasconvictions and attitudes adversely affecting your whole philosophy of life. This is why God says to let angercoolbeforeretiringatnight.Bebigenoughtoforgiveandtosaywithsincerity,"I'msorry." Afterall,nooneisperfect,andyouarebothonthesameteam,sobesportsmanlikeenoughto honestlyadmitamistakewhenyoumakeit.Besides,makingupisaverypleasantexperience, withunusualpowerstodrawmarriagepartnersclosertogether.Godsuggestsit!Itworks!

6.KeepChristinthecenterofyourhome. "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." Psalms127:1."Inallthywaysacknowledgehim,andheshalldirect thypaths."Proverbs3:6."AndthepeaceofGod,whichpassethall understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."Philippians4:7.

WithChristinyourheartsand home,marriagewillbe successful.

Answer:Thisisthegreatestrule.Itreallycoversalltheothers.Put Christ first! The real secret of true happiness in the home is not diplomacy, strategy, and untiring effort to overcome problems, but rather,unionwithChrist.HeartsfilledwithChrist'slovecanneverbeveryfarapart.WithChrist inthehome,marriagewillbesuccessful.Thegospelisthecureforallmarriagesthatarefilled withhatred,bitterness,anddisappointment.Itpreventsthousandsofdivorcesbymiraculously restoringloveandhappiness.Itwillsaveyourmarriage,too,ifyouarewilling.

7.Praytogether. "Pray,thatyeenternotintotemptation:thespiritindeediswilling, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41. "Pray one for another." James5:16."Ifanyofyoulackwisdom,lethimaskofGod,that givethtoallmenliberally."James1:5. Answer:Prayaloudforeachother!Thisisawonderfulrulethat succeeds beyond the wildest dream. Kneel before God and ask Himfortrueloveforoneanother,forforgiveness,forstrength,for wisdomfor the solution to problems. God has given a personal guarantee that He will answer. The praying person is not Prayaloudforeachother. automaticallycuredofallofhisfaults,buthewillhaveaheartthat wantstodoright.NofamilyeverbreaksupwhilesincerelyprayingtogetherforGod'shelp. www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4982/t/Print Page

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wantstodoright.NofamilyeverbreaksupwhilesincerelyprayingtogetherforGod'shelp.

8.Agreethatdivorceisnottheanswer. "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Matthew 19:6. "Whosoever shall put away his wife, exceptitbeforfornication,andshallmarryanother,committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." Matthew 19:9. "The woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth."Romans7:2.

Forgivenessisalwaysbetterthan divorce.

Answer: The Bible is clear. The ties of marriage are meant to be indissoluble and indestructible. Divorce is permissible only in the case of adultery. But even then it is not demanded, only permitted. Forgiveness is always better than divorce, even in the case of a moralfall.Marriageisforlife.GodsoordaineditwhenHeperformedthefirstweddinginEden. Thoughtsofdivorceasasolutionwilldestroyanymarriage.ThisisonereasonJesusruledit out. Divorce is always destructive and almost never a solution to the problem. Instead, it creates much greater problems, so it should never be considered. Torn, frustrated, unhappy, twistedlivesalmostinevitablyfollowdivorce,andevensuccessinlifeitselfisoftenthwarted. Godinstitutedmarriagetoguardpeople'spurityandhappiness,toprovidefortheirsocialneeds, andtoelevatetheirphysical,mental,andmoralnature.Itsvowsareamongthemostsolemn and binding obligations that human beings can assume. To lightly set them aside results in removingone'sselffromGod'sfavorandblessing.

9.Keepthefamilycircleclosedtightly. "Thoushaltnotcommitadultery."Exodus20:14."Theheartofherhusbanddothsafelytrustin her....Shewilldohimgoodandnotevilallthedaysofherlife."Proverbs31:11,12."TheLord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously."Malachi2:14. "Keep thee from the evil woman. ... Lust not after her beauty in thineheartneitherlethertaketheewithhereyelids....Canamantakefireinhisbosom,and hisclothesnotbeburned?...Sohethatgoethintohisneighbour'swifewhosoevertoucheth hershallnotbeinnocent."Proverbs6:2429. Answer:Familyintimaciesmustneverbesharedwithothersnotevenwithparents.Itisa greatsinandatragedytobreakthisGodgivenrule.Athirdpersontosympathizeorlistento complaintsisatoolofthedeviltoestrangetheheartsofhusbandandwife.Solveyourhome problems privately. No one else (except your minister or marriage counselor) should ever be involved.Alwaysbetruthfulwitheachother,andneverkeepsecretsfromeachother.Tellno jokes at the expense of your spouse's feelings. Vigorously defend each other, and strictly exclude all intruders. And as for adultery (in spite of what some marriage counselors say), it alwayshurtsyouandeveryoneelseinvolved.God,whoknowsourmind,body,andemotional structure (and knows what helps or hurts us) says, "Thou shalt not." And when He says,

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structure (and knows what helps or hurts us) says, "Thou shalt not." And when He says, "Don't," we had better not. Those who ignore His rule will pay the supreme penalty. So if flirtationshavebegun,breakthemoffatonce,orshadowsmaysettleoveryourlifethatcannot belifted.

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10. God describes love make it your daily goal to measure up. "Loveisforbearingandkind.Loveknowsnojealousy.Lovedoes notbragisnotconceited.Sheisnotunmannerly,norselfish,nor irritable,normindfulofwrongs.Shedoesnotrejoiceininjustice, but joyfully sides with the truth. She can overlook faults. She is fulloftrust,fullofhope,fullofendurance."1 Corinthians 13:47,

Withtruelove,yourmarriage cannotfail.

Weymouth.* Answer:PleaserereadtheaboveScripturepassagecarefully.ThisisGod'struedescription oflove.Howdoyoumeasureup?Loveisnotasentimentalimpulse,butaholyprinciplethat involveseveryphaseandactionoflife.Withtruelove,yourmarriagecannotfail.Withoutit,it cannotsucceed. *Weymouth's New Testament in Modern Speech by Richard Francis Weymouth. Special arrangementwithJamesClarke&CompanyLtd.

11.Rememberthatcriticismandnaggingdestroylove. "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them." Colossians3:19."Itisbettertodwellinthewilderness,thanwith a contentious and an angry woman." Proverbs 21:19. "A continualdroppinginaveryrainydayandacontentiouswoman are alike." Proverbs 27:15. "Why beholdest thou the mote [splinter] that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam[wholeboard]thatisinthineowneye?"Matthew7:3."Love ... looks for a way of being constructive." 1 Corinthians 13:4, Phillips.*

Trytomakeyourpartnerhappy, ratherthangood.

Answer: Stop criticizing, nagging, and faultfinding. Your husbandorwifemaylackmuch,butnaggingwon'thelp.Don'texpectperfection,orbitterness willresult.Overlookfaults,andhuntforthegoodthings.Don'ttrytoreform,control,orcompel yourpartneryouwilldestroylove.OnlyGodcanchangepeople.Asenseofhumor,acheerful heart,kindness,patience,andaffectionwillbanishtwothirdsofyourmarriageproblems.Tryto makeyourspousehappyratherthangood,andthegoodwilltakecareofitself.Thesecretofa successfulmarriageliesnotinhavingtherightpartner,butratherinbeingtherightpartner.
*ReprintedwiththepermissionofMacmillanPublishingCompanyfrom TheNewTestamentinModernEnglish,
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RevisedEditionbyJ.B.Phillips,(C)1958,1960,1972byJ.B.Phillips. The New Testament in Modern English by J. B. Phillips. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers Limited.

12.Donotoverdoinanythingbetemperate. "Everymanthatstrivethforthemasteryistemperateinallthings."1 Corinthians 9:25. "Love ... does not pursue selfish advantage." 1 Corinthians 13:5, Phillips.* "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoeveryedo,doalltothegloryofGod."1Corinthians10:31."I Learntolaughandenjoy keepundermybody,andbringitintosubjection."1Corinthians9:27. wholesometimestogether. "Ifanywouldnotwork,neithershouldheeat."2Thessalonians3:10. "Marriageishonourableinall,andthebedundefiled."Hebrews13:4. "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neitheryieldyeyourmembersasinstrumentsofunrighteousnessuntosin."Romans6:12,13. Answer: Overdoing will ruin your marriage. So will underdoing. Work, love, rest, exercise, play, worship, meals, and social contacts must be carefully balanced in your marriage, or somethingwillsnap.Overworkandthelackofsleep,properfood,orexercisemakeaperson critical,intolerant,andnegative.Constantovereatingisagreatevilthatstrengthensthelower natureanddullstheconscience. Sexualabusesdestroyaloveforholythingsandweakenvitality.Marriagegivesnolicenseto sexualexcesses.Degrading,twisted,orintemperatesexactsdestroyloveandrespectforone another. A temperate sex life is recommended by the Bible (1 Corinthians 7:37). Social contactswithothersareabsolutelyessential.Truehappinesscannotbefoundinisolation.We must learn to laugh and enjoy wholesome, good times. To be overly serious is dangerous. Overdoing or underdoing in anything weakens the mind, body, conscience, and the ability to loveandrespectoneanother.Don'tletintemperancewreckyourmarriage.
*ReprintedwiththepermissionofMacmillanPublishingCompanyfrom TheNewTestamentinModernEnglish, RevisedEditionbyJ.B.Phillips,(C)1958,1960,1972byJ.B.Phillips. The New Testament in Modern English by J. B. Phillips. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers Limited.

13.Respecteachother'spersonalrightsandprivacies. "Love is forbearing. ... Love knows no jealousy. ... She is not unmannerly,norselfish....Shedoesnotrejoiceininjustice....She is full of trust." 1 Corinthians 13:47, Weymouth.* "Be kindly affectionedonetoanotherwithbrotherlyloveinhonourpreferring
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oneanother."Romans12:10.

walletorotherpersonal propertywithoutpermission.

Answer:EachspousehasaGodgivenrighttocertainpersonal privacieswithoutexplanation.Donottamperwitheachother'swalletsorpurses,personalmail, and other private property unless given permission. The right to privacy and quietude when preoccupiedshouldberespected.Yourhusbandorwifeevenhasarighttobewrongpartofthe timeandisentitledtoan"offday"withoutbeinggiventhethirddegree.Marriagepartnersdonot owneachotherandshouldnevertrytoforcepersonalitychanges.OnlyGodcanmakesuch changes, and we shall all answer personally to Him on this matter (Romans 14:12). Perfect confidenceandtrustinoneanother,nocheckinguponeachother,isabsolutelyessentialfor happiness.Spendlesstimetryingto"figureout"yourspouseandmoretimetryingtopleaseher orhim.Thisworkswonders.
* Weymouth'sNewTestamentinModernSpeech byRichardFrancisWeymouth.SpecialarrangementwithJames Clarke&CompanyLtd.

14.Beclean,modest,orderly,anddutiful. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel."1Timothy2:9."She...workswithwillinghands.""Sherises whileitisyetnightandprovidesfoodforherhousehold.""Shelooks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:13, 15, 27, RSV.* "Be ye clean." Isaiah 52:11. "Let all things be done decently and in order." 1 Corinthians 14:40. "If any provide not ... for those of his own house, he hath deniedthefaith,andisworsethananinfidel."1Timothy5:8."Benot slothful."Hebrews6:12. Answer:Laziness,disorder,dirt,andslovenlinessarethedevil's weaponstodestroyyourrespectandaffectionforoneanother,and Aclean,orderlyhomesolves thusruinyourmarriage.Neat,modestattireandclean,wellgroomed manyfamilyproblems. bodiesareessentialforbothhusbandandwife.Themealsshouldbe wholesome, attractive, and served on time. The home should be clean and orderly, because this brings peace, calmness, and satisfaction to all. A lazy, shiftless husband who does not provideforhishouseholdisacursetohisfamilyandaninsulttoGod.Carelessnessinsomeof theseseeminglysmallmattersisdestroyinghomesbythethousands.
* TheRevisedStandardVersion oftheBible,(C)1946,1952,1971bytheDivisionofChristianEducationofthe NationalCounciloftheChurchesofChristintheUSA.Usedbypermission.

15.Determinetospeaksoftlyandkindly. "Asoftanswerturnethawaywrath:butgrievouswordsstirup anger." Proverbs 15:1. "Live joyfully with the wife whom thou

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anger." Proverbs 15:1. "Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest."Ecclesiastes9:9. "When I became a man, I put away childishthings."1Corinthians13:11.

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Harsh,angrywordscrushyour

spouse'sdesiretopleaseyou. Answer: Force yourself to speak softly and kindly to your spouse. Silence, when one is attacked, is often the best methodtocoolwrath.Decisionsmadewhenangry,tired,ordiscouragedareunreliableanyway, so it's best to relax and let anger cool. And when you do speak, let it always be quietly and lovingly.Harsh,angrywordscrushyourspouse'sdesiretopleaseyou.

16.Bereasonableinmoneymatters. "It[love]isnotpossessive....Lovehasgoodmannersanddoes not pursue selfish advantage." 1 Corinthians 13:4, 5, Phillips.* "Godlovethacheerfulgiver."2Corinthians9:7.
Discussandagreeinmoney matters.

Answer: All possessions and income in marriage should be "ours,"not"yours"and"mine."Wiveswhodon'tworkoutsidethe

home should receive a regular amount for groceries, clothing, and other budgeted items. It shouldbecheerfullyprovidedinsteadofgrudginglyreleasedunderprotest.Wifeandhusband both should have small, equal sums (whenever possible) to spend as desired without giving account. A miserly husband usually angers his wife into being a spender, just as a wasteful husband makes a wife stingy. Showing confidence in your companion's managing ability will usuallymakehimorhermorebusinesslike.
*ReprintedwiththepermissionofMacmillanPublishingCompanyfrom TheNewTestamentinModernEnglish, RevisedEditionbyJ.B.Phillips,(C)1958,1960,1972byJ.B.Phillips. The New Testament in Modern English by J. B. Phillips. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers Limited.

17.Talkthingsoverandcounseltogetherfreely. "It[love]isneitheranxioustoimpressnordoesitcherishinflated ideas of its own importance. ... It is not touchy." 1 Corinthians 13:4,5,Phillips.*"Hethatrefusethinstructiondespisethhisown soul." Proverbs 15:32. "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him." Proverbs 26:12.

Talkingthingsovertogetherwill avoidmanyblundersthatcould destroyyourmarriage.

Answer:Fewthingswillstrengthenyourmarriagemorethancounselingtogetheronallmajor decisions. Changing a job or purchasing a home, an automobile, a boat, furniture, clothing (majoritemsatleast),andallotheritemsthatrequiremoneyinvolvebothhusbandandwife,and theopinionsofbothshouldbeconsidered.Talkingthingsovertogetherwillavoidmanyblunders
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Print Page theopinionsofbothshouldbeconsidered.Talkingthingsovertogetherwillavoidmanyblunders thatcouldruinyourmarriage.If,aftermuchdiscussionandearnestprayer,opinionsstilldiffer, the wife should submit to her husband's decision. Scripture is clear on this. (See Ephesians 5:2224.)

*ReprintedwiththepermissionofMacmillanPublishingCompanyfrom TheNewTestamentinModernEnglish, RevisedEditionbyJ.B.Phillips,(C)1958,1960,1972byJ.B.Phillips. The New Testament in Modern English by J. B. Phillips. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers Limited.

18.Iwantmyhometobeaplacetheangelsofheavenenjoyvisiting. Answer:

ThoughtQuestions
1.Whichmarriagepartnershouldbethefirsttoconfessafteraquarrel? Theonewhowasintheright! 2.Couldyousuggestaruleforameddlesomemotherinlaw? Yes! Be quiet and mind your own business! (See 1 Thessalonians 4:11.) In fact, this rule appliestoallinlaws.Manyamarriagethatmighthavebeenalittleheavenonearthhasbeen changed into hell by inlaws. The duty of all inlaws is to leave the newly established home strictlyalone. 3. My husband is a godless man, and I am trying to be a Christian. His influence is terrible.ShouldIdivorcehim? No!Read1Corinthians7:1214and1Peter3:1,2.Godgivesaspecificanswer. 4.Whenmyhusbanddispleasesme,Iwon'tsleepwithhim.HesaysIamwrong.AmI? Yes!Godgivesadefiniteanswertothisquestionin1Corinthians7:4,5. 5.Mywiferanoffwithanotherman.Nowrepentant,shewantstoreturnhome.Mypastor saysIshouldtakeherback,butGodforbidsthis,doesn'tHe? No. No, indeed! God permits divorce for adultery, but does not command it. Forgiveness is alwaysbetterandisalwaysinorder.(SeeMatthew6:14,15.)Divorcewillseriouslymaryour life and the lives of your children. Give her another chance! The golden rule (Matthew 7:12) applieshere.IfyouandyourwifewillturnyourlivesovertoChrist,Hewillmakeyourmarriage supremelyhappy.Itisnottoolate. 6.WhatcanIdo?Menarealwaysattemptingfamiliaritieswithme. Be very careful of your conduct. God says, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." 1 Thessalonians5:22.Perhapsyourconductaroundmenasuggestivesmile,immodestclothing, offcolorjokes,ora"toorelaxed"andcomfortableattitudeencouragestheiradvances.Thereis
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somethingaboutChristianreserveanddignitythatkeepsamaninhisplace.Christsaid,"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father whichisinheaven."Matthew5:16.WhenChristreallyshinesfromyourlife,youwillhavelittle troublewithevilmenandtheiradvances. 7.CanyoutellmesimplyandplainlywhatGod'scounselistoonewhohasfallenbutis trulyrepentant? LongagoChristgaveapointedandcomfortinganswertoonewhohadfallenintoimmoralitybut wasrepentant.Hesaid,"Go,andsinnomore."John8:11.Hiscounselstillappliestoday. 8.Isn'tthe"innocentparty"inadivorcesometimespartiallyguiltyalso? Certainly. Sometimes the "innocent party," by lovelessness, inattentiveness, self righteousness,unkindness,selfishness,nagging,anddownrightcoldness,canencourageevil thoughtsandactionsinhisorherspouse.Sometimesthe"innocentparty"maybeequallyas guiltybeforeGodasthe"guilty"one.Godlooksuponourmotivesandjudgesaccordingly."For the Lord seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord lookethontheheart."1Samuel16:7. 9.DoesGodexpectmetolivewithaphysicallyabusivespouse? Physical abuse can be life threatening and is a serious problem that demands immediate attention.Thespouseandfamilymemberswhohavebeenphysicallyabusedmustfindasafe environmentinwhichtolive.Bothhusbandandwifeneedtoseekprofessionalhelpthrougha qualifiedChristianmarriagecounselor.

QuizQuestions
1.Marriageis(1) _____ThejoiningofamanandwomantogetherbyGodforlife. _____Atemporary,experimentalarrangementtoseeiftwopeoplearecompatible. _____Notevennecessary.Menandwomenarefreetolivetogetherwithoutit. 2.Godrecognizesonlyonereasonfordivorce.Itis(1) _____Incompatibility. _____Anirritablespouse. _____Adulteryorfornication. _____Godlessnessofmarriagepartner. 3.Thecourtesiesofcourtship(1) _____Shouldbecontinuedinthemarriedlife. _____Shouldbedroppedquicklyafterthewedding. _____Arereallysillyandunnecessary. 4.Thebestguaranteeofsuccessinmarriageis(1) _____HavingChristintheheartsandhome. _____Forthehusbandtoforcehiswifeintoline. _____Forthewifetogetherwaybythreateningdivorce. www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4982/t/Print Page

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_____Forthewifetogetherwaybythreateningdivorce. 5.Forsafetyinquarrels,dothefollowing:(3) _____Speaksoftlyandkindlytooneanother. _____Makeyourspouseadmiterror. _____Callinneighborstosettlethings. _____Forceyourspousetokeepquiet. _____Walkoutandstayawayforseveraldays. _____Praytogether. _____Getoveryourangerbeforeretiringforthenight.

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6.Checktheitemsthatarekeystosuccessinmarriage:(2) _____Closethefamilycircletoallthirdparties. _____Liveinyourparents'home. _____Runhometomotherwhenangry. _____Tellclosefriendsyourspouse'sfaults. _____Establishyourownprivatehome. _____Writeanoldboyfriendforcounsel. _____Neverconfessfirstafteraspat. 7.Thebestwaystoimproveyourmarriagepartnerareto(2) _____Threatentoleaveunlessyougetyourway. _____Nagandcriticize. _____ImproveyourownrelationshipwithJesusChrist. _____Makeyourpartnersleepalone. _____Beloving,appreciative,andforgiving. _____Forceyourpartnertochange. 8.Checktheitemsbelowwhichendangeramarriage:(6) _____Criticism. _____Astingyhusband. _____Amoneywastingwife. _____Laziness. _____AChristianhome. _____Prayingtogether. _____Disorderandfilthiness. _____Aforgivingspirit. _____Jealousy. 9.Forsuccessinmakingmajordecisions,(2) _____Husbandandwifeshouldcounseltogether. _____Husbandshouldforcehiswillonhiswife. _____SeekGodinprayertogether. _____Insistuponhavingyourownway. 10.Agoodruleforinlawsisto(1) _____Tendyourownbusinessandleavethenewlywedsalone.
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_____Insistthatnewlywedslivewithyou. _____Determinetocounselnewlywedswhethertheywantitornot. 11.Incaseofunfaithfulnessbyyourspouse,thebestthingtodoisto(1) _____Leaveatonceandnevercomeback. _____Immediatelytelleveryonehow"lowdown"yourpartneris. _____Bewillingtoforgiveandtopreserveyourhome,ifatallpossible. 12.Thoughtsshouldbeguardedcarefullybecause(2) _____Impurethoughtsleadtoimpureacts. _____Yourspousecanreadyourthoughts. _____Wrongthinkingwilldestroyyourmarriage.

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