These daily marriage devotionals are compiled from verses that we have shared with Christian couples in many counseling sessions over many years. Please read one per day and meditate on how it applies to your marriage. (Note: if you are not certain you are a Christian, please read The Sinner’s Prayer)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 WEB)
In this verse, the “fruit of the Spirit” refers to the characteristics that the Holy Spirit produces in a person’s life when they are in a close relationship with God. These characteristics, such as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are essential for a healthy and fulfilling marriage.
- Galatians 5:19-23 contrast the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the spirit – Galatians 5:19-23 The works of the flesh are actions motivated by our sinful nature, but the fruit of the Spirit is the result of being guided by the Holy Spirit
In the Old Testament, we see the example of Ruth and Boaz in the book of Ruth. Ruth was a Moabite woman who married into a Jewish family. She displayed the fruit of the spirit in her love and loyalty towards her mother-in-law, Naomi, even when Naomi urged her to return to her own people. Boaz also displayed the fruit of the spirit in his kindness and fairness towards Ruth, leading to their marriage.
The Fruit of the Spirit is not something that we can produce on our own, it is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In order to cultivate these characteristics in our marriages, we must be in a close relationship with God, reading His word, and spending time in prayer.
“As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” - John 15:4
In this verse Jesus is talking about the relationship between the branch and the vine. In the same way, we can’t bear the Fruit of the Spirit on our own, we must be connected to Jesus, the true vine, in order to produce the fruit of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in our lives and in our marriages.
Next steps
Carefuly check if you demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit. If not, you are the problem. You need to stop right now and get right with God. Humbly beg his forgiveness. Then apologize to everyone you have hurt. Starting with your wife and children.
7 Characteristics of a Real, Genuine, Sincere Apology – A real apology comes from a humble heart that is truly sorry and repentant. But nothing is worse than a faint apology, a false apology, or a non-apology.
Principles of intercession, interceding, and intercessory prayer – Intercession is the opposite of sin missing the mark of God’s will. It guides other believers to hit the bullseye of God’s will.
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If you miss one, two, or many days, don’t worry about it and don’t try to catch up. Just start where you are and keep going. We have found the Holy Spirit can prompt you to return to just the passage you need for today.
This is an ongoing labor of love because these marriage devotionals will never be finished, but we have to start somewhere, so we will update often. We appreciate your support and prayers because this is a work of God not us. And please forgive us because we have never found a verse that doesn’t apply to marriage somehow.
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (Proverbs 30:5)
Going beyond marriage devotionals
- Leave and cleave – God gave husbands instruction to leave and cleave because they need to break ties with their birth-families to forge their marriages
- The perspective of a successful marriage – If this perspective can lead to an incredible Olympic victory, imagine what it can do for your marriage. It’s almost a miracle!
- Biblical relationship checkup – This Biblical relationship checkup helps couples find where they are on God’s map of a successful marriage and find direction for improvement
- Help for hurting marriages – When I am weak, then I am strong. Help for hurting marriages is found in the wisdom of these Bible scriptures. Apply them as often as needed.
- Tying the Knot: A Premarital Guide to a Strong and Lasting Marriage by Rob Green – Field-tested and recommended by multiple counselors in a thriving counseling practice, Tying the Knot has already guided many couples into a stronger and more joyful union. Let this nine-week pre-marriage study reorient your life and marriage around Christ, so you both will experience all the blessings of marriage as God designed it.
- Love Life for Every Married Couple: How to Fall in Love, Stay in Love, Rekindle Your Love by Ed Wheat – This is a favorite classic book because it has stood the test of time. Physician Ed Wheat has helped thousands of couples improve their love lives and build happier marriages. In Love Life for Every Married Couple, he’ll help you improve your marriage through sharing, touching, appreciating, and focusing healing attention on your mate.