Will You See the Consequences? n Consider the example of Esau (Heb 12:16-17)

Will You See the Consequences?Will You See the Consequences?

Consider the example of Esau Consider the example of Esau (Heb 12:16-17)(Heb 12:16-17)


Hebrews 12:16-17 (NKJV)Hebrews 12:16-17 (NKJV) - 16 lest there - 16 lest there bebe any fornicator or profane person like any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17For you know that afterward, birthright. 17For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, repentance, though he sought it diligently though he sought it diligently with tearswith tears..


Because of carnality, many are making Because of carnality, many are making decisions to obtain relief from the decisions to obtain relief from the present "stress" that will haunt them the rest present "stress" that will haunt them the rest of their lives.of their lives.


Because of carnality, many are making Because of carnality, many are making decisions to obtain relief from the decisions to obtain relief from the present "stress" that will haunt them the rest present "stress" that will haunt them the rest of their lives.of their lives.

““So many persons who think divorce a So many persons who think divorce a panacea for every ill find out when they try panacea for every ill find out when they try it that the remedy is worse than the it that the remedy is worse than the disease.” disease.”


We must never think we know more than God. We must never think we know more than God. (Gen 2:18-24)(Gen 2:18-24) (Genesis 2:18-24 NKJV)(Genesis 2:18-24 NKJV) “And the LORD God said, “And the LORD God said, “It is “It is not good that man not good that man

should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” {19} {19} Out of the Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought and brought them them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that called each living creature, that was was its name.its name. {20} {20} So Adam gave names to all So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.was not found a helper comparable to him. {21} {21} And the LORD God caused a And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.up the flesh in its place. {22} {22} Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. {23} {23} And Adam And Adam said: “This said: “This is is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” {24} {24} Therefore a man shall leave Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”


(Genesis 2:18-24 NKJV)(Genesis 2:18-24 NKJV) “And the LORD God “And the LORD God said, said, “It is “It is not good that man should be alone; I not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”will make him a helper comparable to him.” … … {24} {24} Therefore a man shall leave his father and Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”become one flesh.”


Marriage is a perfect relationship as God Marriage is a perfect relationship as God designed it. We cannot improve upon His designed it. We cannot improve upon His plan.plan.



Since it is a relationship, it must be Since it is a relationship, it must be maintained.maintained.



Since it is a relationship, it must be Since it is a relationship, it must be maintained.maintained.

When people depart from God, there will be When people depart from God, there will be trouble in the marriage.trouble in the marriage.


Some consider divorce a reasonable Some consider divorce a reasonable alternative. alternative. (Mt 19:4-6; 5:32)(Mt 19:4-6; 5:32)


(Matthew 19:4-6 NKJV)(Matthew 19:4-6 NKJV) “And He answered and “And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who said to them, “Have you not read that He who made made them them at the beginning ‘made them male and at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’female,’ {5} {5} “and said, ‘For this reason a man “and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? {6} {6} “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.””man separate.””


(Matthew 5:32 NKJV)(Matthew 5:32 NKJV) “”But I say to you “”But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”woman who is divorced commits adultery.”


This is a direct violation of God's This is a direct violation of God's commands.commands.


This is a direct violation of God's This is a direct violation of God's commands.commands.

God's commands are for our good. There God's commands are for our good. There are many more things that follow the sin are many more things that follow the sin of divorce. of divorce. (Deut 6:24)(Deut 6:24)


(Deuteronomy 6:24 NKJV)(Deuteronomy 6:24 NKJV) “’And the “’And the LORD commanded us to observe all these LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our for our good alwaysgood always, that He might preserve us , that He might preserve us alive, as alive, as it is it is this day.”this day.”


Even when there is an innocent party, there Even when there is an innocent party, there still are consequences from the ungodly still are consequences from the ungodly actions of another. God will be with those actions of another. God will be with those who draw close to Him. who draw close to Him.


Even when there is an innocent party, there Even when there is an innocent party, there still are consequences from the ungodly still are consequences from the ungodly actions of another. God will be with those actions of another. God will be with those who draw close to Him. who draw close to Him.

We will examine the consequences in a We will examine the consequences in a backwards manner. We will start at the backwards manner. We will start at the judgment day and work back to the judgment day and work back to the marriage.marriage.

What are the consequences of divorce?What are the consequences of divorce?

An eternity in hellAn eternity in hell (Rev 22:14-15; 5:32)(Rev 22:14-15; 5:32)


(Revelation 22:14-15 NKJV)(Revelation 22:14-15 NKJV) “Blessed “Blessed are are those those who do His commandmentswho do His commandments, that they , that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.may enter through the gates into the city. {15} {15} But But outsideoutside are are dogs and sorcerers and dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a whoever loves and practices a lielie.”.”


(Matthew 5:32 NKJV)(Matthew 5:32 NKJV) “”But I say to you “”But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife that whoever divorces his wife for any for any reason except sexual immoralityreason except sexual immorality causes her causes her to commit adulteryto commit adultery; and whoever marries a ; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”woman who is divorced commits adultery.”


When one breaks a command of God they When one breaks a command of God they have a heart that in not right with God.have a heart that in not right with God.


When one breaks a command of God they When one breaks a command of God they have a heart that in not right with God.have a heart that in not right with God.

Often repentance never comes and the heart Often repentance never comes and the heart is hardened. is hardened. (Eph 4:18-19)(Eph 4:18-19)


(Ephesians 4:18-19 NKJV)(Ephesians 4:18-19 NKJV) “having their “having their understanding darkened, being alienated understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;blindness of their heart; {19} {19} who, being who, being past feelingpast feeling, have given themselves over to , have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”greediness.”


Can we ignore God's word and still follow Can we ignore God's word and still follow Jesus? Jesus? (Jn 12:48)(Jn 12:48)


(John 12:48 NKJV)(John 12:48 NKJV) “”He who rejects Me, “”He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” spoken will judge him in the last day.”


One who is divorced and has no right to One who is divorced and has no right to remarry will likely form an adulterous remarry will likely form an adulterous marriage. This is called "living in adultery." marriage. This is called "living in adultery." (Col 3:5-7)(Col 3:5-7)


(Colossians 3:5-7 NKJV)(Colossians 3:5-7 NKJV) “Therefore put “Therefore put to death your members which are on the to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. {6} {6} Because of these things the wrath of Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,disobedience, {7} {7} in which you yourselves in which you yourselves once walked once walked when you lived in themwhen you lived in them.”.”


75% of divorced people remarry -- and 60% 75% of divorced people remarry -- and 60% of them already have children. If current of them already have children. If current trends continue, step-families could trends continue, step-families could outnumber traditional families by the year outnumber traditional families by the year 2000. -- Dr. Nazli Baydar2000. -- Dr. Nazli Baydar


More DivorceMore Divorce


More DivorceMore Divorce A very high percentage of second marriages A very high percentage of second marriages

fail. Why?fail. Why?


More DivorceMore Divorce A very high percentage of second marriages A very high percentage of second marriages

fail. Why?fail. Why? Other Census findings: * One in four Other Census findings: * One in four

women who divorced and remarried women who divorced and remarried divorced a second time. -- William Dunn, divorced a second time. -- William Dunn, USA Today, 2-15-91 pg.1AUSA Today, 2-15-91 pg.1A


Many have never overcome the selfishness Many have never overcome the selfishness and shortsightedness that brought on and shortsightedness that brought on divorce in the first place. You cannot divorce in the first place. You cannot escape from the honest and hard work a escape from the honest and hard work a marriage demands. marriage demands.


Many have never overcome the selfishness Many have never overcome the selfishness and shortsightedness that brought on and shortsightedness that brought on divorce in the first place. You cannot divorce in the first place. You cannot escape from the honest and hard work a escape from the honest and hard work a marriage demands. marriage demands.

If a person can brazenly break one If a person can brazenly break one covenant, then why not two? covenant, then why not two? (Mal 2:16,14)(Mal 2:16,14)


(Malachi 2:16 NKJV)(Malachi 2:16 NKJV) “”For the LORD “”For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.””treacherously.””


(Malachi 2:14 NKJV)(Malachi 2:14 NKJV) “Yet you say, “For “Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the LORD has been what reason?” Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.”And your wife by covenant.”


It is not uncommon for an adulterer who It is not uncommon for an adulterer who destroyed the marriage to have several destroyed the marriage to have several live-ins. live-ins.


A Scarred lifeA Scarred life


A Scarred lifeA Scarred life Divorce is worse than death. The pain and Divorce is worse than death. The pain and

the scars are hard to overcome.the scars are hard to overcome.


A Scarred lifeA Scarred life Divorce is worse than death. The pain and Divorce is worse than death. The pain and

the scars are hard to overcome.the scars are hard to overcome. Being divorced is like being hit by a Mack Being divorced is like being hit by a Mack

truck. If you live through it, you start truck. If you live through it, you start looking very carefully to the right and to the looking very carefully to the right and to the left. -- Jean Kerr, Forbes Magazine, left. -- Jean Kerr, Forbes Magazine,


The memory is always there.The memory is always there.


The memory is always there.The memory is always there. A study of divorced couples with preschool A study of divorced couples with preschool

children shows that after a year of divorce, children shows that after a year of divorce, 60% of men and 73% of women feel they 60% of men and 73% of women feel they made a mistake and should have tried harder made a mistake and should have tried harder to make marriage work. People have no to make marriage work. People have no idea how much anguish and stress is caused idea how much anguish and stress is caused by divorce. -- Dr. E Mavis Hetheringtonby divorce. -- Dr. E Mavis Hetherington


Dear Ann Landers: Eleven years ago, I walked Dear Ann Landers: Eleven years ago, I walked out on a 12-year marriage. My wife was a good out on a 12-year marriage. My wife was a good person, but for a long time she was under a lot of person, but for a long time she was under a lot of stress. Instead of helping her, I began an affair stress. Instead of helping her, I began an affair with her best friend. with her best friend.


This is what I gave up: This is what I gave up: 1. Seeing my daughter grow up. 1. Seeing my daughter grow up. 2. The respect of many long-time friends. 2. The respect of many long-time friends. 3. The enjoyment of living as a family. 3. The enjoyment of living as a family. 4. A wife who was loyal, appreciative and who 4. A wife who was loyal, appreciative and who tried very hard to make me happy. tried very hard to make me happy.


This is what I got:This is what I got: 1. Two step-children who treated me like dirt. 1. Two step-children who treated me like dirt. 2. A wife who didn't know how to make 2. A wife who didn't know how to make anything for dinner but reservations. anything for dinner but reservations. 3. A wife whose only interest in me was how 3. A wife whose only interest in me was how much money she could get. much money she could get. 4. A wife who disparaged my family and ruined 4. A wife who disparaged my family and ruined all my existing friendships. all my existing friendships. 5. Finally, the best thing I got was a bitter, 5. Finally, the best thing I got was a bitter, expensive divorce. expensive divorce.


Ann, tell your readers that anyone who is married Ann, tell your readers that anyone who is married and has his or her next mate all lined up is looking and has his or her next mate all lined up is looking for trouble. People don't know what they are for trouble. People don't know what they are giving up until they no longer have it. Then it's giving up until they no longer have it. Then it's too late. - Otis of Wisconsin too late. - Otis of Wisconsin

-- The Columbus Dispatch, 9/28/91, p. 2E-- The Columbus Dispatch, 9/28/91, p. 2E


Consequences with the childrenConsequences with the children


Consequences with the childrenConsequences with the children There are great scars with the children. There are great scars with the children.

They often blame themselves.They often blame themselves.


Consequences with the childrenConsequences with the children There are great scars with the children. There are great scars with the children.

They often blame themselves.They often blame themselves. Children are more likely to suffer from Children are more likely to suffer from

depression when they grow up, if their depression when they grow up, if their parents divorce, than if one dies. -- parents divorce, than if one dies. -- University of Michigan, Survey of 2,867 University of Michigan, Survey of 2,867 peoplepeople


There is constant trouble. Who are they to There is constant trouble. Who are they to visit? They are pressed to choose sides. visit? They are pressed to choose sides. Discipline in the home may not be there.Discipline in the home may not be there.


There is constant trouble. Who are they to There is constant trouble. Who are they to visit? They are pressed to choose sides. visit? They are pressed to choose sides. Discipline in the home may not be there.Discipline in the home may not be there.

There are powerful lessons taught by There are powerful lessons taught by example. example. (Prov 22:6)(Prov 22:6)


(Proverbs 22:6 NKJV)(Proverbs 22:6 NKJV) “Train up a child “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”old he will not depart from it.”


Where do children learn about marriage?Where do children learn about marriage?


Where do children learn about marriage?Where do children learn about marriage? Olivia Newton-John recently was asked Olivia Newton-John recently was asked

why she hadn't gotten married earlier, and why she hadn't gotten married earlier, and she shared how when she was ten years old, she shared how when she was ten years old, her parents went through a devastating her parents went through a devastating divorce. She said, "You know, it's hard to divorce. She said, "You know, it's hard to believe a relationship can last when you've believe a relationship can last when you've never seen one."never seen one."


What do they learn about: honesty, What do they learn about: honesty, violence, relationships, trust, forgiveness?violence, relationships, trust, forgiveness?


What do they learn about: honesty, What do they learn about: honesty, violence, relationships, trust, forgiveness?violence, relationships, trust, forgiveness?

Often we see how a divorce may affect Often we see how a divorce may affect generations. generations. (Num 14:18)(Num 14:18)


(Numbers 14:18 NKJV)(Numbers 14:18 NKJV) “’The LORD is “’The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears by no means clears the guilty, the guilty, visiting the visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth third and fourth generation.’”generation.’”


It affects the churchIt affects the church


It affects the churchIt affects the church There is great pain and discouragement There is great pain and discouragement

shared by brothers and sisters in Christ. shared by brothers and sisters in Christ.


It affects the churchIt affects the church There is great pain and discouragement There is great pain and discouragement

shared by brothers and sisters in Christ. shared by brothers and sisters in Christ. The influence of those who sinned are The influence of those who sinned are

harmed. (Remember, there are some who harmed. (Remember, there are some who are innocent and should not be blamed.)are innocent and should not be blamed.)


It affects the churchIt affects the church There is great pain and discouragement shared by There is great pain and discouragement shared by

brothers and sisters in Christ. brothers and sisters in Christ. The influence of those who sinned are harmed. The influence of those who sinned are harmed.

(Remember, there are some who are innocent (Remember, there are some who are innocent and should not be blamed.)and should not be blamed.)

When things are not right in a marriage it affects When things are not right in a marriage it affects ones spiritual life. This in turn weakens the ones spiritual life. This in turn weakens the church. church. (1 Pt 3:7)(1 Pt 3:7)


(1 Peter 3:7 NKJV)(1 Peter 3:7 NKJV) “Husbands, likewise, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.”life, that your prayers may not be hindered.”


One should not leave the church over their One should not leave the church over their sin but rather repent and find the comfort sin but rather repent and find the comfort provided by God. This will involve other provided by God. This will involve other Christians. Christians. (2 Cor 1:3-5)(2 Cor 1:3-5)


(2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NKJV) “Blessed be the “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, {4} who Father of mercies and God of all comfort, {4} who comforts us in all our tribulation, comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be that we may be able to comfort those who are in any troubleable to comfort those who are in any trouble, with , with the comfort with which we ourselves are the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. {5} For as the sufferings of comforted by God. {5} For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.”abounds through Christ.”


No wonder God said that: "He hates No wonder God said that: "He hates divorce.." divorce.." (Mal 2:16)(Mal 2:16)


(Malachi 2:16 NKJV)(Malachi 2:16 NKJV) “”For the LORD “”For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.””treacherously.””

How can one avoid divorce?How can one avoid divorce?

Do not be satisfied with just staying together.Do not be satisfied with just staying together.


Do not be satisfied with just staying together.Do not be satisfied with just staying together. There are times that this is all you can do. Let this There are times that this is all you can do. Let this

be short lived.be short lived.



be short lived.be short lived. Do not settle for anything less than a great Do not settle for anything less than a great

marriage.marriage.



be short lived.be short lived. Do not settle for anything less than a great Do not settle for anything less than a great

marriage.marriage. Weakened marriages are accidents looking for a Weakened marriages are accidents looking for a

place to happen. Do not let this condition persist.place to happen. Do not let this condition persist.


Eliminate pride Eliminate pride (Prov 16:18)(Prov 16:18)


(Proverbs 16:18 NKJV)(Proverbs 16:18 NKJV) “Pride “Pride goes goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”before a fall.”


Eliminate pride Eliminate pride (Prov 16:18)(Prov 16:18) Never start thinking: "Oh the brethren must Never start thinking: "Oh the brethren must

never know!"never know!"


Often couples fail to seek spiritual help Often couples fail to seek spiritual help early. Put away this false sense of pride and early. Put away this false sense of pride and understand that we all need help from time understand that we all need help from time to time.to time.


Often couples fail to seek spiritual help Often couples fail to seek spiritual help early. Put away this false sense of pride and early. Put away this false sense of pride and understand that we all need help from time understand that we all need help from time to time.to time.

Good council from spiritual men will do Good council from spiritual men will do much good. much good. (Prov 11:14; 24:3-6)(Prov 11:14; 24:3-6)


(Proverbs 11:14 NKJV)(Proverbs 11:14 NKJV) “Where “Where there is there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors multitude of counselors there is there is safety.”safety.”


(Proverbs 24:3-6 NKJV)(Proverbs 24:3-6 NKJV) “Through wisdom “Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is a house is built, And by understanding it is established;established; {4} {4} By knowledge the rooms are By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.filled With all precious and pleasant riches. {5} {5} A wise man A wise man is is strong, Yes, a man of strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;knowledge increases strength; {6} {6} For by wise For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors a multitude of counselors there is there is safety.”safety.”


On the other hand, pride is blind, it refuses On the other hand, pride is blind, it refuses to see and if forced it hates to see. to see and if forced it hates to see.



Before the finger pointing stops and Before the finger pointing stops and communication begins, pride must cease!communication begins, pride must cease!




Learn to communicateLearn to communicate


On the other hand, pride is blind, it refuses to On the other hand, pride is blind, it refuses to see and if forced it hates to see. see and if forced it hates to see.


Learn to communicateLearn to communicate It s possible to be married 40 years and then It s possible to be married 40 years and then

drift apart. When this happens you must drift apart. When this happens you must learn anew how to communicate!learn anew how to communicate!


Does the word "learn" bother you? If so it is Does the word "learn" bother you? If so it is likely pride at work.likely pride at work.



There must be absolute honesty. There must be absolute honesty. (Col 3:9)(Col 3:9)


(Colossians 3:9 NKJV)(Colossians 3:9 NKJV) “Do not lie to one “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,”with his deeds,”



There must be absolute honesty. There must be absolute honesty. (Col 3:9)(Col 3:9) Be receptive to communication. Major on Be receptive to communication. Major on

hearing. hearing. (Jas 1:19-20)(Jas 1:19-20)


(James 1:19-20 NKJV)(James 1:19-20 NKJV) “So then, my “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; {20} {20} for for the wrath of man does not produce the the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”righteousness of God.”


Also learn how to praise!Also learn how to praise!


Also learn how to praise!Also learn how to praise! Dedicate yourselves to meeting your mates Dedicate yourselves to meeting your mates

needs.needs.


Ask and listen. Do not assume but let them Ask and listen. Do not assume but let them tell you.tell you.


Ask and listen. Do not assume but let them Ask and listen. Do not assume but let them tell you.tell you.

Husbands, give you wife your love. Husbands, give you wife your love. (Eph 5:25,28-29)(Eph 5:25,28-29)


(Ephesians 5:25 NKJV)(Ephesians 5:25 NKJV) “Husbands, love “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,”church and gave Himself for her,”


(Ephesians 5:28-29 NKJV)(Ephesians 5:28-29 NKJV) “So husbands “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. {29} {29} For no one ever hated his own flesh, For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord Lord does does the church.”the church.”


Wives, be sure to respect your husband. Wives, be sure to respect your husband. (Eph 5:22-23, 33)(Eph 5:22-23, 33)


(Ephesians 5:22-23 NKJV)(Ephesians 5:22-23 NKJV) “Wives, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.Lord. {23} {23} For the husband is head of the For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.”and He is the Savior of the body.”


(Ephesians 5:33 NKJV)(Ephesians 5:33 NKJV) “Nevertheless let “Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife own wife as himself, and let the wife see see that she respects that she respects her her husband.”husband.”


Will you not sit down and talk about these Will you not sit down and talk about these things?things?


Dr. Dobson maintains that "any one of the Dr. Dobson maintains that "any one of the following evils can rip your relationship to following evils can rip your relationship to shreds if given a place in your lives." shreds if given a place in your lives." 1. Overcommitment and physical 1. Overcommitment and physical exhaustion. exhaustion. 2. Excessive credit and conflict over how 2. Excessive credit and conflict over how money will be spent. money will be spent. 3. Interference from in-laws. 3. Interference from in-laws.


4. Space invaders -- jealousy and insecurity 4. Space invaders -- jealousy and insecurity can trample a partner's space. can trample a partner's space. 5. Pornography, gambling and other 5. Pornography, gambling and other addictions. addictions. 6. Business failure - "it does bad things to 6. Business failure - "it does bad things to men -- Their agitation turns to anger within men -- Their agitation turns to anger within the family. the family.


7. Business success - "as risky to succeed 7. Business success - "as risky to succeed wildly as it is to fail miserably in business." wildly as it is to fail miserably in business." (Cf. Prov. 30:8). (Cf. Prov. 30:8).


At the beginning of the article Dobson notes, At the beginning of the article Dobson notes, "Don't permit the possibility of divorce to enter "Don't permit the possibility of divorce to enter your thinking -- divorce is no solution. It merely your thinking -- divorce is no solution. It merely substitutes a new set of miseries for the ones left substitutes a new set of miseries for the ones left behind -- Not only can you survive, but you can behind -- Not only can you survive, but you can keep your love alive if you give it priority in your keep your love alive if you give it priority in your system of values." -- James Dobson, "The system of values." -- James Dobson, "The Marriage Killers," Focus on the Family, Feb. Marriage Killers," Focus on the Family, Feb. 1993, p. 7. 1993, p. 7.

Let God be the foundation of your LifeLet God be the foundation of your Life

Make yourself a strong Christian. Make yourself a strong Christian. (Mt 6:33; Mt 19:3-19)(Mt 6:33; Mt 19:3-19)



Consider your marriage as being heirs of Consider your marriage as being heirs of life together" life together" (1 Pt 3:7)(1 Pt 3:7)



Consider your marriage as being heirs of Consider your marriage as being heirs of life together" life together" (1 Pt 3:7)(1 Pt 3:7)

Your faithfulness to Christ will be a pattern Your faithfulness to Christ will be a pattern for your marriage. for your marriage. (Rom 6:3-5)(Rom 6:3-5)

Documents

Will You See the Consequences? n Consider the example of Esau (Heb 12:16-17)