Let Jehovah Fortify Your Marriage

RENDER THE MARRIAGE DUE

Couples can also forge a strong marriage bond when they seek their mate's advantage, putting their spouse's personal interest ahead of their own.  (Philippians 2:3, 4) Husbands as well as wives need to be sensitive to the emotional and sexual needs of their mate. -Read 1 Corinthians 7:3, 4. 

Regrettably some marriage mates hold back from being affectionate or sharing sexual intimacies, and some men tend to view tenderness as unmanly.  The Bible says:  "You husbands should try to understand the wives you live with." (1 Peter 3:7, Phillips) A husband needs to understand that the marriage due involves more than just physical union. A wife is more likely  to enjoy marital intimacies if her husband  is loving and affectionate at times other than when they have intercourse. When both show loving consideration, they are more likely to satisfy each other's emotional and physical needs. 

Although there is no excuse for marital unfaithfulness, a lack of tenderness could contribute to a spouse's seeking affection and intimacy from someone else. (Proverbs 5:18; Ecclesiastes 9:9) Therefore the Bible urges married couples: "Do not deprive each other [of the marriage due] except my mutual consent for an appointed time." Why? "In order that Satan may not keep tempting you for your lack of self-control." (1 Corinthians 7:5)  What a tragedy if a couple were to allow Satan to exploit their "lack of self-control" and cause either of them to succumb to temptation and commit adultery!  Conversely, when each mate seeks, "not his own advantage,  but that of the other person" and render the marriage die as an expression of love rather than as a duty, affectionate intimate relations can strengthen the marriage bond. -1 Corinthians 10:24. 

Next time: Let Jehovah Fortify Your Marriage -KEEP SAFEGUARDING YOUR MARRIAGE

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015