Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 7:3–4
In a marriage, there is mutual love and respect for each other, and we are called to submit to and serve each other. As God led Paul to write, we read in 1 Corinthians 7:3–4, “The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” Since God gave us the sexual desires we have, those desires are to be fulfilled in the marriage relationship. A husband and wife both have sexual desires, but they are not the same. In the marriage relationship, both the husband and the wife must be willing to fulfill each other’s sexual needs, but that does not mean that either spouse has the right to demand that their needs be met. The husband and wife must communicate in a loving, respectful way about how they are feeling so they each are able to serve each other in a manner that honors our Lord. God wants a husband and wife to understand that neither of them has exclusive authority over their own body but that they now willingly share the authority of their body with their spouse. Being willing to meet each other’s needs is part of a healthy and thriving marriage. Both the husband and wife willingly submit to each other to minister to each other, not just sexually, but spiritually, emotionally, physically, financially, mentally, and even socially—God’s beautiful design.
Challenge & Application
What does a healthy marriage relationship look like according to what God taught you today?
How are you praying for and investing in your spouse, and if you’re single, how are you praying for your future spouse?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!