Tramps and Trash Talk

“I hate divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.” Malachi 2:16

God makes his feelings about divorce crystal clear in this passage. He hates it. He also hates violence and injustice. The prophet tells us that the best way to protect ourselves against the things God hates is to guard our spirit and to hold onto faith. Those two elements become the first casualties of broken covenants

I seem to be surrounded right now by people involved in marital conflict. It is the same with most pastors, but lately almost all of my appointments have been with couples or with one spouse that can’t seem to get past some type of issue in their marriage. I have also noticed that some of the pastors that I read and listen to regularly are dealing with this same issue head on in their churches. As pastors, we need to quit being wimpy about this issue and tell some people to grow up!!!

Husbands love your wives. Don’t dominate or control them. Sacrificially love them!!! If you don’t like my thoughts about it, read God’s thoughts in Ephesians 5 and take it up with him. I am tired of husbands whose egos are so big they can’t actually love a woman who loves them. Trust me guys, she could do better than you!!! Learn to love like God has called you to love. Put your ego aside and ask a Godly man for some advice. The answer to your problem is not found in the arms of some hot, young tramp.

Wives respect your husband. Go look at Paul’s words in Ephesians 5 and see what he says about respecting your husband. You don’t like the fact that he is a little overweight? Don’t harp on him about it. Cook some healthy dinners. You don’t like that he is a little too involved in football? Let him have some time for himself to enjoy something he likes. Your husband needs to know that you respect him and that he is the only man for you.

It is so easy to go overboard in these areas. Our human nature tells us to push the limits of other people’s boundaries. So husbands do their own things and expect their wives not to be upset. Wives get mad and talk about their husbands and trash talk to their friends about him at every opportunity. All of those actions are saboteurs in your marriage. Get biblical with one another. Love unconditionally and sacrificially. Respect without expectation. Be generous in affection and lavish with praise.

No marriage is perfect. But, our God is big enough to fix any broken pieces.