February 7th

God’s Road to a Happy Marriage

Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 1 Corinthians 7:3-4

You know that, if you are married, you are in debt, right?

I know there is a lot of debt going around these days-credit card debt, cars to pay off, and mortgages as well-but that’s not what I’m talking about. I am talking about a debt you owe to your spouse-a debt of affection.

In the context of what Paul is saying in our verses for today, we understand that this debt of affection is not a general sort of affection, some kind words or a bouquet of roses; rather, he is talking specifically about sex. We owe a debt of sex to our spouses, giving one another the affection that is due.

When I say this, I can almost hear the men who read these words cheering, running to their wives and saying, You gotta read what Pastor Bob wrote! But I want you to know this affection is not only due to husbands, but also to wives.

Listen men, if your wife is pregnant or aging, are you giving her the affection that is due to her? Or are you giving that affection to the pretty woman in your favorite television show, some paid prostitutes on your computer screen, or even letting your eyes wander after every pretty, young girl you see on the street? There is an affection due to your wife, and you have no business exciting your sex drive with other women and then fulfilling it with your wife.

The heart of this matter, for both husbands and wives, is generosity. Paul says that spouses do not have authority over their own bodies, but rather over their partner’s body. This only works in an atmosphere of generosity in which we give ourselves freely, granting permission and allowing our spouse to have authority over our bodies within the covenant of marriage.

The opposite of generosity is selfishness, and the moment selfishness enters a marriage then things begin to spiral downward. However, the moment we begin to be generous, things will begin to grow and continue growing until our marriage is more incredible than we ever imagined it could be.

Prayer Father God,

Thank You for my spouse! I want my marriage to be exactly what You designed marriage to be, and I know that a significant part of that is our sex life. I set myself apart for my spouse, giving them complete access to me as is right, and I ask You to help us guard one another within our atmosphere of generosity.

Amen