1. Most enter marriage with wonderful hopes and dreams
Your mate will always be the person he/she was before marriage, only better
Pre-marriage problems will improve after you tie the knot.
Fairytale marriage – live happily ever after
Then the honeymoon ends and reality sets in

2. Consistent and sustainable goodness is based on a higher authority than our own
An evil person may do good on occasion – Phil. 1:15-17
No one is good of himself – Rom. 3:9-12
Christians rise above natural inclinations – Thess. 5:15 & Eph. 5:2-7
A faithful Christian spouse will try to do what is right under all conditions and circumstances
Philippians 1: Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: (16) The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; (17) but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. (18) What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
Romans 3:9-12 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, (10) as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; (11) no one understands; no one seeks for God. (12) All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."
1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
Ephesians 5:2-7 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (3) But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; (4) neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (5) For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (6) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (7) Therefore do not be partakers with them.

3. A great marriage every time
Begins with the right attitude and approach
Personal responsibility – Gal. 6:4-5
Resolve and commitment – Matt. 19:6, 1 Cor. 7:11
Take nothing for granted – Eccl. 9:9
Conflict resolution – Rom. 12:17-18
Spouse before self – Phil. 2:3-4
Galatians 6:4-5 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. (5) For each one shall bear his own load.
Matthew 19:6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
1 Corinthians 7: Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. (11) But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun
Romans 12: Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. (18) If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

4. A great marriage every time Begins with the right approach
Communication
Long to hear the others voice – Song of Sol. 2:14
Swift to hear, slow to speak – James 1:19
Listen before you pass judgment – Prov. 18:2
Listen before you answer – Prov. 18:13
Sacrificial love – 1 Cor. 13:4-8
Song of Solomon 2:14 "O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely.“
James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
Proverbs 18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant (5) or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; (6) it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. (7) Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (8) Love never ends.