RELATIONSHIP STRENGTHENING GUIDE
~ by eINFOzine
Love is the only way for strong relationship. So let’s go back to the basics.
WHAT IS LOVE?
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
So here is the list of the ‘golden rule’ guide:-
1) Maintain a reverence for Christ in the relationship.
Ephesians 5:21-33 Amplified Bible (AMP)
21 being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
2) Do and say things that pleases God.
Hebrews 3:13 Amplified Bible (AMP)
13 But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication].
3) Respect and honor each other.
Ephesians 5:33 Amplified Bible (AMP)
33 However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear].
1 Peter 3:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
7 In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective.
4) Pray and do Bible study together everyday.
Ephesians 6:10-20 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The Armor of God
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), 15 and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people. 19 And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news [of salvation], 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. And pray that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly and courageously, as I should.
5) Husbands, you are her provider, namely:-
- Provide spiritually
- Provide financially: current (monthly allowances, not just a home to live in and daily food), future (old age/retirement plan) & for emergencies/medical
- Provide leadership
- Provide sexually
- Provide mental & emotional nurture care
6) Wives, know your areas to assist him, namely:-
- Home & children
- Welfare of the family members
- Assisting any area where required
- Care, love & support
- Sexual bonding
Ephesians 5:22-33 King James Version (KJV)
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
7) Reassure your love towards one another at all times.
Hebrews 10:24-25 Amplified Bible (AMP)
24 and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, 25 not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.
8) Be a good time keeper.
Psalm 90:12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
12 So teach us to number our days, That we may cultivate and bring to You a heart of wisdom.
9) Keep your word.
Matthew 5:37 Amplified Bible (AMP)
37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.
10) Practice honesty at all times.
Proverbs 12:22 Good News Translation (GNT)
22 The Lord hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.
11) Be fair.
Psalm 106:3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
3 Blessed are those who observe justice [by honoring God’s precepts], Who practice righteousness at all times.
12) Be sensitive to each other’s feelings.
13) Be responsible in daily matters. Examples:-
– If you said that you will call, make sure that you call.
– Call to inform that you will be home late.
– Do your fair share of the workload at home.
Luke 6:31 Amplified Bible (AMP)
31 Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.
14) Stay calm when things go wrong. Pray and solve it together.
15) Be wise in choosing words.
16) Avoid jealousy.
17) Avoid bringing up old wounds.
18) Listen well.
19) Resolve the problem without embarrassing your partner (example: sharing with a friend or on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter & etc.).
MARRIAGE IN A BIBLICAL VIEW
Ephesians 5:22-33 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Marriage Like Christ and the Church
22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as [a service] to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church, Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives should be subject to their husbands in everything [respecting both their position as protector and their responsibility to God as head of the house].
25 Husbands, love your wives [seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [of God], 27 so that [in turn] He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy [set apart for God] and blameless. 28 Even so husbands should and are morally obligated to love their own wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own body, but [instead] he nourishes and protects and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members (parts) of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined [and be faithfully devoted] to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery [of two becoming one] is great; but I am speaking with reference to [the relationship of] Christ and the church. 33 However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear].
s him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear].