How To Have A Successful Marriage
Life Hacks: Part 3
By Amitabh Singh
God does not want us to have ruined relationships. God wants to bless us. It is in this context that we find the words of Jesus found in Matthew 5:27-28 to be meaningful.
Psalm 119:9-11 puts it this way:
“How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.
I have tried to find you –
don’t let me wander from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.”
We need to remember three things as we look at how to have a successful marriage and maintain healthy relationships:
Purity begins in our hearts and minds
Self denial is part of Biblical purity
Purity is critical to a successful relationship
In the sermon on the mount, Jesus moves us beyond the physical act to the attitude of the heart. “You have heard that it was said... But I tell you…” in Matthew 5:27-28, where Jesus is presenting his authoritative word on the matter. We think God wants us to be happy, but he actually wants us to be godly. Happiness can come and go but godliness carries us through all seasons.
Our culture teaches us to be who we are and lean into things we feel we want to do. It is like Nike’s famous “Just Do It” tagline that has been the centre of many advertisements over the years. Jesus is telling us something different (“But I tell you”).
Marriages that break down because of unfaithfulness are permitted, but it’s not God’s plan. I Corinthians 10:23 (NLT) puts it this way:
“You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’ – but not everything is good for you. You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything” – but not everything is beneficial.”
None of this is meant to cause guilt or shame, but to encourage us to live more Christ-like lives.
We can’t do this unless we live based on God’s Selah – Build my life.