How can couples ensure they honor the "let not man separate" command? A Shared Foundation in Scripture “Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Matthew 19:6) Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:9; Ephesians 5:25, 33; Malachi 2:15-16 Protecting a Covenant Mind-Set • Remember that marriage is God-made, not man-made; breaking it off offends the One who created it. • View vows as unbreakable promises, not flexible agreements. • Regularly reread wedding vows together and recommit to them aloud. Rooting the Relationship in Christ • Pray together daily—morning, mealtime, bedtime—inviting the Lord into every concern (Ecclesiastes 4:12). • Read Scripture as a couple and discuss one takeaway each (Colossians 3:16). • Worship and serve side by side in the local church; shared ministry welds hearts. Communicating with Grace and Truth Philippians 2:3-4; Proverbs 18:21 • Speak to build up, never to tear down; avoid sarcasm or contempt. • Schedule “check-in” conversations; listen twice as much as you talk. • If tempers flare, call a brief timeout and pray before resuming. Practicing Quick Forgiveness • Keep no record of wrongs; delete mental scorecards. • Say the words “I was wrong, please forgive me” without excuses. • Replace bitterness with deliberate acts of kindness. Guarding Physical and Emotional Intimacy 1 Corinthians 7:3-5; Hebrews 13:4 • Prioritize sexual intimacy; view it as ministry to one another. • Set screens, hobbies, and work aside for unrushed connection. • Share feelings and fears regularly; secrecy breeds distance. Setting Healthy Boundaries • Avoid one-on-one meals, rides, or chats with anyone who could threaten purity. • Use transparent phone and social-media practices—no hidden passwords. • Limit extended family or friends from overruling marital decisions. Seeking Godly Counsel Early • Invite a mature couple to mentor you and hold you accountable. • Attend marriage conferences or small groups before crisis hits. • Professional Christian counseling is preventive maintenance, not an admission of failure. Serving Together • Volunteer in church, missions, or local charities as a team. • Shared purpose lifts eyes above petty conflicts. Persevering Through Trials • View hardship as a forge, not a fracture. • Pray, plan, and push through difficulties side by side rather than separately. • Celebrate God’s faithfulness after every valley to strengthen resolve for the next. Holding fast to these practices enables husbands and wives to live out Christ’s command: “let man not separate.” |
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