Summary:

God created the institution of marriage so that both husband and wife could be co-rulers on the earth. Conducting your marriage by God’s manual—the Bible—is the only guarantee for success.

1. Failure to execute the things you have learned concerning marriage is the number one reason marriages fail.
   1. Do not be concerned with what your spouse is doing. Instead, concentrate on what you should be doing.
      
      
2. There are some things that spouses should never do or say to one another.
   1. Wives should never be critical of their husbands.
      1. A wife should never tell her husband that he is not a real man.
      2. Don’t nag, but let your quiet spirit and godly conversation win him over (1 Peter 3:1).
   2. Husbands should never speak harshly toward their wives.
      1. Never tell your wife that you hate her.
   3. Don’t be led by your emotions.
      1. When you are hurt, you will say the wrong things.
      2. The things you say may damage your relationship beyond repair.
      3. When you do say hurtful things to one another, repent to one another and make up your minds to never be unkind again.
         
         
3. Husbands and wives are co-rulers through partnership.
   1. You cannot show love for and support of others and not show it to your spouse.
   2. A wife is not less of a person than her husband; they are equal partners in the marriage.
   3. Wives should communicate their love for their husbands by supporting them.
      1. If you do not support your husband, you are not showing him love.
         
         
4. Invest in the inner man.
   1. Make sure you invest in the hidden man of the heart, which is your spirit (1 Peter 3:4).
   2. Cultivate a meek spirit.
      1. A meek spirit refuses to contribute to chaos in the home.
      2. A meek spirit is one that is peaceful.
         
         
5. Wives should make sure that they are not the cause of marital problems.
   
   1. Manipulation, crying and complaining do nothing to contribute to a stable household.
      1. Husbands and wives must get rid of the baggage in their lives so that they can have a healthy relationship.
      2. A virtuous woman guides her house into peace (Proverbs 31:10-28).
         
         
6. Husbands are to dwell with their wives according to knowledge (1 Peter 3:7).
   1. Every husband needs to take responsibility for his marriage.
      1. Educate yourself on marriage.
         1. Read books.
         2. Listen to tapes.
         3. Go to seminars.
      2. Don’t operate according to the world’s system concerning marriage.
         1. Do not listen to talk shows and television for advice and counsel.
      3. Read the best marriage manual ever written—the Bible.
      4. Conducting your marriage according to God’s method guarantees that your marriage will be healthy, wholesome, prosperous and happy.
         1. You have to understand the different roles in marriage.
            
            
7. Co-rulership is the partnership of life.
   1. You and your spouse are heirs together in the kingdom of God.
      1. When you are in agreement, your prayers are not hindered (1 Peter 3:7).
   2. Co-rulers are two people jointed together in the adventures of marriage and life.
      1. If a spouse is treated as “less than,” his or her partner will be discouraged. Bitterness, discouragement and hardness of heart can occur
         as a result.
      2. When a husband and wife treat each other as joint-partners, they empower themselves and their relationship.
   3. Husbands should treat their wives as partners.
      1. Involve your spouse in all major decisions.
      2. Treat one another with mutual respect and honor.
         
         
8. You and your spouse are to be of one mind.
   1. It takes time, patience, commitment and communication to become one with another person in the area of your soul.
      1. Be compassionate, caring, sympathetic and kind in order to achieve oneness of mind.
      2. Effective communication occurs when two people clearly understand one another.
      3. When you are not talking to each other (the silent treatment), the devil will talk to both of you.
         1. Make sure to continue communicating—even when you are frustrated.
   2. The Word of God is the final authority.
   3. Allow the Bible to settle every argument.

Scripture References:

• 1 Peter 3:1-9
• Proverbs 31:10-28