CHRISTIANITY FOR THE LAST DAYS

Sunday, April 4, 2010

HIGHER EDUCATION - A MASTER'S DEGREE IN RELATIONSHIPS - Marriage Counseling With The Wonderful Counselor - Part XX

ADDITIONAL COUNSEL FOR BOTH HUSBAND & WIFE
This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
(ISAIAH 28:29)

Someone has said that if we stop learning then we stop living. To gain an education that makes one a better person is certainly a noble goal. Better person according to the world's standards, however, may often refer to a person's monetary value rather than his or her moral worth. The education that teaches a person how to give the most and how to be the best in a relationship is priceless. This is the kind of instruction that God wants everyone to have. In this post we will visit one of the classes being taught in the school of marriage and take good notes.

MARRIAGE IS A SCHOOL

School - a place of education or collection of pupils of any kind; any place of improvement or learning. (American Dictionary of the English Language)

Marriage is certainly a place of learning and a place of potential growth and improvement. Notice what is to be the study in the school of marriage for the students who are enrolled.

To gain a proper understanding of the marriage relation is the work of a lifetime. Those who marry enter a school from which they are never in this life to be graduated. It should henceforth be the life study of both husband and wife how to avoid everything that creates contention and to keep unbroken the marriage vows.

It is the duty of every married couple to studiously avoid marring the feelings of each other. They should control every look and expression of fretfulness and passion. They should study each other's happiness, in small matters, as well as in large, manifesting a tender thoughtfulness, in acknowledging kind acts and the little courtesies of each other. These small things should not be neglected, for they are just as important to the happiness of man and wife, as food is necessary to sustain physical strength.
Study to advance the happiness of each other.

The word study means to fix the mind closely upon a subject; to apply the mind to; to dwell upon in thought. (American Dictionary of the English Language)

In summary, here is what marriage students need to study...

1. how to avoid everything that creates contention
2. how to keep unbroken the marriage vows
3. each other’s happiness

(Proverbs 24:3, 17:14, 13:10, 1:5, 9:9, 16:21,23/Psalms 101:3/1 Corinthians 7:3/Ephesians 4:32/1 Timothy 6:8/Philippians 2:3/Exodus 20:13,14/Deuteronomy 6:6,7, 11:19/Amos 3:3/John 13:17)

The world generally and somewhat ignorantly teaches people how to fight fair or disagree and argue successfully. It is believed that contention is inevitable and some say that adultery is not so bad. One's personal happiness is often considered the priority which should guide decisions regarding the relationship. On the other hand, God teaches that it is best to avoid contentions altogether and He shows us how to do it. In connection with Christ, both the husband and wife may receive enabling grace to resist and overcome all selfish tendencies that threaten to destroy marriage. While it is true that these lessons are not generally taught in the world, if husbands and wives actually study and apply the principles of these subjects, they will be prepared to pass the test of finances, the test of fading outward beauty, the feelings and emotions test, and any of life’s other physical, mental or spiritual tests.



By the grace of God, we will continue this study in another post.
Have a triumphant day in Christ.

You have just been reading from page 22 of a booklet entitled, "Marriage Counseling With The Wonderful COUNSELOR" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blog posts... If you are interested in having the entire book email your request to education@issues-of-life.com. You can see what the cover looks like at www.issues-of-life.com and by clicking on products.