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)
Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.” (John 8:11b)
Based on John 8:11, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
As Christians, it is important to remember that we are all fallen and in need of God’s grace and forgiveness. In marriage, it can be easy to fall into the trap of condemning our spouse for their mistakes and shortcomings. However, this is not in line with the love and grace that Jesus demonstrates in John 8:11.
Here are 5 practical ways to avoid condemning your spouse in your marriage:
Speak words of encouragement and affirmation. Instead of pointing out your spouse’s flaws, focus on their strengths and the positive qualities you admire in them.
Practice active listening. Take the time to truly understand your spouse’s perspective and experiences, rather than immediately jumping to criticism or judgment.
Show grace and forgiveness. Just as Jesus extends grace and forgiveness to us, we should extend it to our spouse. Remember that none of us are perfect, and we all make mistakes.
Use “I” statements. Rather than blaming or accusing your spouse, use “I” statements to express your own feelings and needs in a non-confrontational way.
Pray for your spouse daily. Ask God to give you a heart of love and grace for your spouse, and to help you see them through His eyes.
In the Greek, the word for “condemn” in John 8:11 is “katakrino,” which means to judge against, to sentence, or to pass judgment. In marriage, it is not our place to pass judgment on our spouse, but rather to love and support them, just as Jesus loves and supports us.
Examples of not condemning in the Bible can be seen in Jesus’ interactions with the woman caught in adultery in John 8, and in Paul’s encouragement to the Romans to “not judge one another” in Romans 14:13.
Let us strive to follow these biblical examples in our marriages by avoiding condemnation and extending grace, love, and forgiveness to our spouse.
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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.