Pro. 14 v 1: “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.”

Dearly beloved, I am super excited about this series of lessons on stronger marriages because this is God’s will for you and more importantly because God is equipping you with the tools needed for a successful marriage. As you embrace these truths, your story will change for the better. What are we talking about today? Our focus today will be on the seventh material that you need for a stronger marriage. Let’s examine this.

Materials for Building Stronger Marriages

7. Respect each other. You need to respect each other in marriage if you want your marriage to work and your respect should be reciprocal i.e. you respect me, I respect you and we respect each other! Never ever take each other for granted no matter how long you have been married. Value each other genuinely and never become too familiar with your spouse (Eph.5v21). I want you to know that couples with stronger marriages have mutual respect for each other.

How then can we communicate our respect to each other? There are proper ways of showing respect to your spouse. For a husband, this is how to show respect to your wife:

• Talk to her and not at her.
• Listen to her i.e. Hear her views and opinions.
• Treat her with dignity and honor (1Pet.3v7).
• Support and encourage her.
• By not beating her or putting your fingers on her.

However, for a wife, this is how to respect your husband:

• Hold him in high esteem/regard (1Pet.3v6).
• Don’t compare him with other men.
• Don’t gossip about your husband with other people.
• Don’t be a contentious/brawling woman (Pro.21v9).
• By creating an enabling environment for your husband to lead (1Ki.21v25)

My dear reader, the place of respect in any marriage is vital. I pray that you will be courageous enough to embrace this truth and work on them so that you can truly experience a blissful marriage. I decree today that God’s favour and mercy will speak for your marriage in Jesus name, amen.

Other Scriptural References: (Pro. 21 v 19; 1 Pet. 5 v 5; Phil. 2 v 3; Rom. 12 v 10; 1 Pet. 2 v 17).

Prayer for Today: Father God, I commit myself to respecting my spouse. This is my solemn pledge. Holy Spirit, help me to be faithful unto the end, and please forgive me for any act of disrespect that I might have displayed in times past in Jesus name, amen.

CONFESSION: I choose to obey the word of God by honouring and respecting my spouse. I commit myself to act in an honourable way toward my spouse. Holy Spirit, help me to comport myself in a way that will bring you glory in Jesus name. I say no to every act of disrespect and disrepute. I choose to value my spouse. I choose to treasure and appreciate them. I choose to relate with my spouse in a dignifying and honourable manner. Precious Holy Spirit, come and be glorified in our home!

Pastor Yemi Adeoti

Yemi Adeoti is a pastor, teacher, life coach and mentor & also a prolific writer.