KEYS TO AVOIDING DIVORCE – Part 1

 KEYS TO AVOIDING DIVORCE – Part 1

First key:  Establish your own private home.

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Gen.2:24

God’s rule is specific.  A married couple must leave father and mother and establish their own home, even if finances require that it be a one-room apartment.  Husband and wife should decide together on such policies as these.  Then she should inform her relatives and he, his.  They must remain firm no matter who opposes.  Thousands of divorces would be avoided if this rule were carefully followed.

Second key:  Continue your courtship.

“Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.”  1Pet.4:8, RSV. “Her husband…praiseth her.”  Prov.31:28.  “She that is married careth…how she may please her husband.”  1Cor. 7:34.  “Be kindly affectioned one to another…in honour preferring one another.” Rom.12:10

Continue (or perhaps revive) the courtesies of courtship in your married life.  Successful marriages do not just happen; they must be developed.  Don’t take each other for granted, or the monotony that results will destroy your marriage.  Keep love growing by expressing love for one another or it will die, and you will drift apart.  Love and happiness are not found by seeking them for yourself, but rather by giving them to others.  So spend as much time as possible doing things together.  If you did, you would get along well. Learn to greet each other with enthusiasm.  Relax, visit, shop, sightsee, eat together.  Don’t overlook the little courtesies, encouragements, and affectionate acts.  Surprise each other with little gifts or favors.  Try to “outlove” each other.  Don’t take more out of marriage than you put into it.  Divorce itself is not the greatest destroyer of marriage, but rather, lack of love.  Given a chance, love always wins.

Third key:  Remember that God joined you together in marriage.

“For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife…Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”  Matt.19:5-6

Has love almost disappeared from your home?  The devil (that notorious home-breaker) is responsible for this.  Don’t forget that God Himself joined you together in marriage, and He intends for you to stay together and be happy.  He will bring happiness and love into your lives if you will obey His divine rules (commandments).  “With God all things are possible.”  Matt.19:26.  Don’t despair.  God, who places love in the heart of a missionary for a leprous savage, can easily give you love for each other if you will let him.

Fourth key:  Guard your thoughts–don’t let your senses trap you.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”  Prov.23:7.  “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife.”  Ex.20:17.  Keep thy heart with al diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”  Prov.4:23.  “Whatsoever things are true,…honest,…just,…pure,…lovely,…of good report,…think on these things.” Phil.4:8.

The wrong kind of thinking will destroy your marriage.  The devil will trap you with thoughts like these:  “Our marriage was a mistake.”  “She doesn’t understand me.”  “I can’t take much more of this.”  “We can always divorce if necessary.”  “I’ll go home to mother.”  “He smiled at that woman.”  Stop thinking thoughts like these or your marriage is gone, because your thoughts and senses govern your actions.  Avoid seeing, saying, reading, or hearing anything that (or associating with anyone who) suggests impurity or unfaithfulness.  Thoughts uncontrolled are like an automobile in neutral on a  hill.  Anything can happen, and the result is always disaster.

END OF PART ONE:

NOTE:  This article is from Amazing Facts Study Guide.

NOTE:  Daily there is new post to help your marriage be a success.