920: Treat Your Spouse as a Child of God
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” —Colossians 3:17
More often than we would like to admit, we do not view our spouse as a child of God. Instead, we see them as the person frustrating us. Or not doing what we want them to do. Or hurting us, ignoring us, or exhausting us.
And yet, when you view your spouse as a child of God, you are choosing to glorify God through the thoughts, words, and actions you share with them.
Things change in your marriage when you pause long enough to see your spouse as a child of God.
Now, this episode is not about ignoring betrayal, addiction, abuse, or destructive patterns. If your marriage needs outside help, safety, accountability, counseling, coaching, or pastoral care, please seek it out.
But for many of us, it is easy to go to church, pray, and believe God brought you together… while still treating your spouse in ways that do not reflect His character:
- Giving the silent treatment
- Stewing in anger
- Cursing at one another
- Withholding physical affection
- Withholding sex
- Rolling your eyes, belittling, punishing, or making your spouse pay because you are hurt
It is time to apply the verses you already know. Genesis 2:24 says the two become one flesh. In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus says to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. And let’s not forget the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Deep cracks form in a marriage when we say one thing about our faith but do not treat our spouse in accordance with it.
If you say, “I love God,” but speak to your spouse with contempt… there is a disconnect. If you say, “I believe in forgiveness,” but keep bringing up the same failure to punish your spouse… there is a disconnect.
And that disconnect touches all 6 Pillars of Intimacy®.
In this episode, we walk through what it looks like to honor your spouse as a child of God across each one of those pillars: emotional, physical, financial, spiritual, recreational, and sexual intimacy.
Today, ask yourself… Does how I treat my spouse in all 6 Pillars glorify God?
Your spouse is not your enemy. There may be real challenges in your marriage, but your spouse is a child of God. And when you start there, you approach the problem differently.
Resources
The 6 Pillars of Intimacy® Certified Coaching Program
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