1. Part 1

2.  “ National Marriage Week USA ” ( Feb 7-14)  “ Life ’ s short. Get a divorce.” ( FGALAWFIRM. COM ) “ Life is short. Have an affair.” ( Ashley Madison )  Must strengthen every marriage that God joins together, Matt 19:4-6; Heb 13:4 No marriage is above / without problems Each can be improved – Requires 100% from both Wives : More consistent respect for husbands Husbands : More complete love and honor for wives 2

3. Honor your mate from a heart that treasures him / her, 1 Peter 3:1-7 –Marriage is exclusive Fornication dishonors self, mate and marriage, Heb 13:4 –Breaks trust, defiles purity and courts disaster, Prov 7:24-27; 6:32 –Do not flirt, favor or foster any relation other than marriage, Prov 6:27-29 Pornography and cybersex, Matt 5:27-30; Gal 5:19; Col 3:5 3

4. Unfounded suspicions are destructive and sinful, 1 Tim 6:4 –Raging jealousy reveals a problem ( control, insecurity, self - loathing ) –Result : Destroys trust and security –Overcome : Unhesitating loyalty that shows value and respect to each other, SofS 8:6 4

5. Communication breakdown Self - seeking is on display when one constantly badgers his / her spouse –Control and contentiousness – “ Brawling ”, quarrel, Prov 19:13 –Causes isolation, Prov 21:9, 19 –Kills communication – “ Willing to yield ” without bitterness, for sake of peace, Jas 3:17- 18; Matt 5:9 5

6. Be fond of and tender toward each other, Gen 2:23-24 –Husband : Court your wife, Hosea 2:14-15; SofS 2:10- 14; 4:7 –Wife : Be affectionate, Titus 2:4 ( philandros : “ affectionate as a wife ”) Render due benevolence, 1 Cor 7:3-5 6

7. A divided house falls, Matthew 12:25 –Be united ; work together Do not undermine the authority and discipline of your mate –Neither provoke to wrath nor discourage to despondency, Eph 6:4; Col 3:21 Teach and correct while there is hope, Psa 13:24; 19:18 (22:6) Fear the Lord, Psa 128:4 7

8. - For marriage to thrive it must be nurtured - Will we nurture our marriages, or be guilty of “ marriage murder ”? 8