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)
Therefore let’s not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an occasion for falling. (Romans 14:13)
Based on Romans 14:13, “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.”
As Christians, it is important to show love, compassion, and respect to our spouse, rather than judgment and criticism. In Romans 14:13, Paul reminds us to avoid putting obstacles or stumbling blocks in our spouse’s way by avoiding judgment and criticism.
Here are 5 practical ways to avoid judging your spouse in your marriage:
Focus on your own actions and attitudes. Instead of criticizing your spouse, work on improving your own actions and attitudes, and let God work in your spouse’s life.
Practice empathy and understanding. Try to see things from your spouse’s perspective and understand their feelings, experiences, and motivations.
Avoid comparisons. Rather than comparing your spouse to others, focus on the unique qualities and strengths that make them who they are.
Speak kindly and respectfully. Use words that build up and encourage, rather than tearing down and criticizing.
Pray for your spouse regularly. Ask God to help you see your spouse through His eyes and to give you a heart of compassion and love for them.
In the Greek, the word for “judge” in Romans 14:13 is “krino,” which means to judge, to decide, or to form an opinion. In marriage, it is important to avoid forming negative opinions or making critical judgments about our spouse.
Examples of avoiding judgment in the Bible can be seen in Jesus’ interactions with the woman at the well in John 4, and in Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians to “let your gentleness be known to all” in Philippians 4:5.
Let us strive to follow these biblical examples in our marriages by avoiding judgment and criticism of our spouse, and showing love, compassion, and respect instead.
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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.