A Romans 12 Marriage

Photo by: stockimages

When I recently read this passage, I was challenged by the thought: what if married people followed these guidelines for their relationships with each other? These precepts are, after all, for every Christian.

Read the following verses and think about your own marriage. Let this Scripture speak to you. You might be surprised how this “non-marriage Bible passage” has so much to say about the marriage relationship.

9 Let love be without dissimulation.

Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;

in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business;

fervent in spirit;

serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope;

patient in tribulation;

continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints;

given to hospitality.

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. . . . Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

(Romans 12:9-18)

Here are some of the practical lessons I discovered:

• Be genuine. (9)
• Reject evil in your life and embrace good. (9)
• Love your husband with brotherly love. (10. This same brotherly kind of love is addressed in Titus 2:4, with the application of loving our husbands.)
• Put husband’s interests first, before yours. (10)
• Don’t be lazy. (11)
• Be genuinely zealous about God. Walk in the Holy Spirit. (11)
• Serve God. (11)
• Be joyful in your salvation. (12)
• Be patient through trials. (12)
• Pray all the time. Be ready to go to God first. (12)
• Be generous with other Christians, and share to meet their needs. (13)
• Open your home to others. Enjoy visitors. Be gracious as a hostess. (13)
• Say positive things about your enemies. (14. Hopefully, no one thinks her husband is an enemy, but this could apply to a husband who is abusive. She should not curse him.)
• Be happy along with your husband, when he’s happy. Hold him when he is sad. Share his joys and disappointments. Be sympathetic and loving. (15)
• Don’t think you’re better than he is. (16)
• Don’t hit back—not verbally nor literally. (17)
• Be truthful. (17)
• Live in peace with your husband. This implies not taking up any fight. (18. Compare with Proverbs 15:1, A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.)

All of the Bible is for married people. Some passages, like this one from Romans 12, are actually mini manuals.

May God bless your marriage!