This is part of a series on marriage tips from the passage I Corinthians 13. As was stated in the first blog, I Corinthians isn’t a passage just in regards to marriage. The Christian philosophy of how to love others can easily be applied as well.
Last time we listed three practical tips on marriage: love is patient, kind, and does not envy. For more inept thoughts on how to apply these three ideas, you can read the former post Three Practical Marriage Tips.
LOVE IS NOT ARROGANT OR RUDE
Arrogance is having an exaggerated sense of one’s own worth. Being rude has the idea of being impolite or abrupt. The word that comes to me as I look at both of these is obnoxious.
In a loving marriage relationship, you are not the center of attention. In fact, you should prioritize your spouse before yourself. Arrogant people don’t put their spouses ahead of themselves, but love themselves more than their spouse. They do so because they have an exaggerated view of themselves, and end up being rude others.
LOVE DOES NOT INSIST ON ITS OWN WAY
A selfish person puts self first, insisting on your own way. Love doesn’t demand, but sacrifices. It is saying, “I’d really like to do this, but instead, I’ll do what my spouse wants.”
This could come in a variety of ways. Whether it be how we spend our money, who cleans up the kitchen, how often we are having godly marital sex, or who takes the kids out so the other parent can rest, there are dozens of ways to put your spouse first.
In a relationship where both husband and wife are each attempting to put one another first, that relationship will be solid. Romans 12:10 could be the staple of this part of the relationship where it says to “outdo one another.” If both parties are practicing this, it will make for a great marriage.
LOVE IS NOT IRRITABLE OR RESENTFUL
Irritability is being easily annoyed or angered. This can lead to much resentment. How do you view your spouse? Do you give the grace you hope to get? Or do you find everything they do annoying so you are irritable and resent them? Instead of having this posture, we can be grateful that we have the spouse we have, and look at their positive qualities.
Do you talk more about yourself or your spouse? Do you spend more time building up yourself, or your spouse? Do you and your spouse try to outdo one another in acts of love and kindness? Are you easily irritable or rude to your spouse, or gracious?
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