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7 Commandments of a Great Marriage

By October 14, 2014June 10th, 2017Family, Marriage

I have an advanced degree in counseling and hundreds of hours experience working with couples. I’ve taught marriage retreats for years. I wouldn’t say I’m an “expert” in marriage — because I’m married — and my wife reads my blog. That would be a stretch. Actually, I know more to do than I have the practice of doing. (Isn’t that true for most of us?)

But, I’ve learned a few things. I’ve observed things that work and things that don’t.

I think there are some necessary ingredients for a healthy marriage. That’s the point of this post.

Want a healthier marriage?

Consider these 7 Commandments of Marriage:

Thou shalt serve one another. A good marriage practices mutual submission. Ephesians 5:21 commands us to submit to one another out of reverence to Christ. Marriage is not a 50/50 deal. It’s a 100/100 deal — each willing to surrender all to the other person.

How are you at serving your spouse? Would they say you strive to serve them more everyday? Are you more the giver or the taker in the relationship? Be honest.

Thou shalt love unconditionally. Unconditionally means without conditions. (See how deep this blog can be.) I’ll love you if … is not the command. It’s I’ll love you even if not. God commands us to love our enemies. How much more should this commitment be strong within a` marriage?

Are you loving your spouse even with the flaws that you can see better than anyone else? Here’s a quick test: Does the way you communicate with your spouse indicate you have the highest regard for them — always?

Thou shalt respect one another. The Golden Rule covers this one. Everyone wants to be respected — so in any good marriage respect is granted to and by both parties. And, by the way, I believe respect too is to be unconditional.

In my experience, this one is sometimes easier for one spouse to give than the other, especially the one who works hardest in the marriage. Respect is mostly given because of actions. But respect is important for both spouses. Most people grant respect only when all conditions are met to be respected. That makes sense, but it doesn’t provide motivation to improve when the other party needs it most. All of us need someone who believes in us even when we don’t believe in ourselves. That’s the grace of respect. When most of us feel respected we will work harder to keep that respect.

Thou shalt put no other earthly relationships before this one.Let not man put asunder” is not just a good King James Version wedding line. It’s God’s desire for a marriage. Great couples strive to allow no one — even children — even in-laws — to get in the way of building a healthy marriage.

Wow! Isn’t this a hard one? Yet, I can’t tell you how many marriages I have seen ruined because the children came first or the in-laws interfered. I’ve seen marriages ruined by friends — sometimes co-workers — who had little regard for the integrity of the marriage, and so they built a wedge between the couple. As hard as it is sometimes, great couples work to protect the marriage from every outside interruption.

Thou shalt commit beyond feelings. The Bible talks a great deal about the renewal of our mind. (Romans 12:2 for example.) The mind is more reliable than emotions. You may not always feel as in love as you did the day you married. There will be tough seasons in any marriage. Strong marriages last because they have a commitment beyond their emotional response to each other. And, when that’s true for both parties feelings almost always reciprocate and grow over time.

As true and necessary as this is, great marriages continue to pursue each other — they date one another — fostering the romantic feelings that everyone craves in a relationship. Sobering question: When’s the last time you pursued your spouse?

Thou shalt consider the other person’s interest ahead of thine own. Again, we are commanded to to do this in all relationships. How much more should we in marriage?

Over the years, as couples get comfortable with one another, I’ve observed couples who become very selfish with their individual time. Sometimes, for example, one spouse pursues a hobby that excludes the other one, and more and more time is committed to that hobby. The other spouse begins to feel neglected. It may be allocation of time, in actions or the words used to communicate, but sometimes a spouse can make the other spouse feel they are no longer valuable to them.  Are you considering how you are being perceived by your spouse?

Thou shalt complete one another. The Biblical command is one flesh. (Ephesians 5) It should be made clear that ultimately we are complete only in Christ. Each of us stand before God on our own account. But, marriage is used of God as a tool to make us more like Him. I’m not sure that’s anymore possible than the command that our individual flesh be molded into the image of Christ. It’s a command we obey in process. We are saints still under construction. We still sin. And, that process isn’t completed here on earth in my opinion. So it is in a marriage. We never completely “get there”, but we set such a high standard for our marriage that we continue to press towards the goal.

There is no better place where “iron sharpens iron” than in a marriage. Cheryl makes me a better person. And, if I can be so bold — I think I do the same for her. There are qualities in her I need and qualities in me she needs to become one flesh. But, that’s a process. That takes time, humility and intentionality. I must allow her to make me better — and likewise for her. But, when we do, we are both the benefactors. One question I always ask couples: Are you becoming closer as a couple — or are you drifting further apart? That’s a great question to ask frequently throughout the marriage.

These are obviously not the “10 Commandments”. They aren’t even necessarily God’s commandments — although I do believe they are based on the commands of God. The point is to take Biblical principles and apply them to our marriage.

And, what marriage wouldn’t benefit from that?

Would you pause and consider — Are you breaking any of these commands?

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Ron Edmondson

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Join the discussion 12 Comments

  • Richard says:

    I am in agreement with all of these commandments listed, except the last one; and let me explain. I believe our completeness is in Christ (Colossians 2:10). If we expect our spouse to complete us, then we place on them unrealistic expectations. We expect them to do what only Christ can do. And if they don't do it, then we have unmet needs, which causes a person to go to something or someone to have those needs met. That is the cause of the other commandments listed being broken. We should want them to compliment us, not complete us. That's my thought.

    • Richard says:

      Recognizing also that God is able to supply all of our need, which, I believe, is not limited to the financial aspects of life. Our intimate needs (food, clothing and shelter) as well as our ultimate needs (Love, security and acceptance) are all met through our relationship with Jesus Christ.

    • ronedmondson says:

      Thanks! I do not disagree with anything in your comment. Nor does it take away from my point. It may be semantics and we can certainly debate those, but I'm going off of the Ephesians 5 – “the two shall become one” truth. That has to mean something. And, I think it means the two shall become one. Not a perfect one – anymore than we are to “be holy because I (Jesus) am holy” means we are ever perfect. It's a goal to strive for. A marriage is to strive for oneness. My ultimate completion is in Christ – no question. But, couples should strive to help one another become more like Christ. That's part of the oneness.

      • Richard says:

        I agree with you wholeheartedly. What I presented how I counsel couples in both premarital and marriage counseling. I think it is important to be clear about this. I've seen too many marriages go south for that very reason. It has ended up as a competition as to whose needs are more important, and they miss the whole point about the marriage. Thanks for sharing.

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  • Dave Steventon says:

    I am very surprised that fidelity, the cornerstone of trust in a marriage is not mentioned.

    • Jim Watson says:

      I would think that fidelity falls under several of these, but certainly under # 4: "Thou shalt put no other earthly relationships before this one." You cannot be unfaithful if you don't put another earthly relationship before your marriage.