A Marriage That Thrives

By Greg Laurie, Op-ed contributor Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them [your wives] with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. — 1 Peter 3:7

Everything in the marriage relationship is intertwined. If your marriage isn't healthy, then your relationship with God will suffer.

The Apostle Peter tells husbands to dwell with their wives with understanding (see 1 Peter 3:7b). To "dwell with understanding" means that husbands are to be aligned to their wives and be united with them in thoughts, goals, plans, and efforts.

In essence, Peter tells husbands that if they don't treat their wives with understanding, their prayers will be hindered (see verse 7d).

This is the same principle that Jesus gave when He said, "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23–24).

Our fellowship with one another is so important to God that He won't accept our worship if we knowingly neglect to seek reconciliation with a brother or sister.

One good rule of thumb is never to go to sleep angry at each other. Somehow you need to find a way to make up. I once heard of a married couple who decided to put into practice the Scripture, "do not let the sun go down on your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26). For thirty years of marriage they practiced this principle. Someone then asked them, "How did it work out?" The husband replied, "Well, it was a little rough sitting up all night." I think they missed the point.

The moral of the story is that your relationship with God and with your spouse will thrive—not just survive—if you bury the hatchet and don't let the sun go down while you are still angry with one another.

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