Building Trust in Your Marriage

Trust is Key to a Success Marriage Security Intimacy Openness Communication Genesis 2:23-25

Do You Trust Your Spouse? “When you trust your spouse, you feel so safe that you are careless—or free of concern—with him or her. You don't have to hide who you are or be self-protective.” -“Building Trust,” John Townsend

Partnership of Marriage is Forged in Trust Protection Security Strength Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Building Trust in Your Marriage Takes… Reliability. Proverbs 31:10-12 (“Actions speak louder than words”) Speak the truth, Ephesians 4:25 Listen with intent, James 1:19-20 Keep your word, James 4:17

Building Trust in Your Marriage Takes… Commitment. (“forsaking all others”) Mutual respect and serve, Ephesians 5:23 (22-29) Endurance (“for better and for worse”) Ecclesiastes 5:4-6

Building Trust in Your Marriage Takes… Consistency. (Familiarity and predictability) Don’t act loving one day and indifferent the next; Warm and caring, then cold and withdrawn; “Yes” and then “No” … 2 Corinthians 1:15-19

Building Trust in Your Marriage Takes… Acceptance. (“With this ring, I thee wed”) “Don’t sweat the small stuff” Two fallible people making a relationship work, 1 Peter 3:7; Genesis 2:18, 23

Essential Character Traits and Actions Righteousness. Isaiah 32:17-18 Pursue it in marriage, 2 Tim. 2:22 Heart qualities. Colossians 3:12-15 Colossians 3:18-19 (1 Peter 3:1-7)

Essential Character Traits and Actions Priority of faith. Matthew 6:33; Joshua 24:15 Leadership and submissive support Mutual faith and obedience, Luke 9:62; 1 Corinthians 7:12-15

Damaging and Destroying Trust Infidelity. Proverbs 6:30-35 Defiles the intimacy of marriage Trust evaporates Security disappears Love is foolishly sinned against, Proverbs 5:7-14 Deceit and lies

Things that Damage and Destroy Trust Public ridicule. 1 Peter 3:4-6 Shows disrespect Comparing Teasing Criticizing Minimizing Power plays to dominate, Matt. 7:12

Things that Damage and Destroy Trust Selfishness. Ephesians 5:22-25 Prevents fulfilling our God-given responsibilities in marriage Submission to one’s husband will not happen in a selfish environment Loving one’s wife like Christ loved the church will never happen where selfishness reigns

Security in Marriage is Built upon Trust Oneness of marriage: “Bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh” Can your spouse trust you to be trustworthy in your marriage? Can the Lord trust you to be trustworthy in your marriage? Proverbs 5:21-23