WHAT PULLS US APART IN MARRIAGE

The Knot #2

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Sunday, February 13, 2022

All beginnings are lovely.  –French Proverb

It’s a slow fade

When you give yourself away

It’s a slow fade

When black and white have turned to gray

And thoughts invade, choices are made

A price will be paid when you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day.

It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade

-Slow Fade, Casting Crowns

(Luke 11:17, NLT) “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.”

(Ephesians 4:27, Message) “Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.”

1.  YOUR MARRIAGE HAS HOPE.

(Hebrews 11:1, NLT) “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”

A. Desire

B. Belief

2.  I HAVE TO LEARN TO IDENTIFY WITH MY SPOUSE.

(Romans 15:2, CEV) “We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them.”

“I do not ask how the wounded one feels;

I, myself, become the wounded one.”  -Walt Whitman

2.  I HAVE TO LEARN TO IDENTIFY WITH MY SPOUSE.

(Romans 15:2, CEV) “We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them.”

“I do not ask how the wounded one feels;

I, myself, become the wounded one.”  -Walt Whitman

3.  I MUST LEARN THE PROCESS OF FORGIVENESS.

(Matthew 18:27, NLT) “Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.”

A. Choose the right time and place.

B. Have a positive attitude.

C. Refuse to be a victim.

D. Give yourself and your spouse grace.

E. Communicate in love.

4.  I WILL WORK TOWARDS RE-ESTABLISHING OUR MARRIAGE LOVE.

“Of the seven deadly sins, anger is the most fun. To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor the last toothsome morsel of the pain you’re giving back to them, in many ways, is a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is that what you are wolfing down at this feast is yourself. The skeleton at the feast is you.” –Frederick Buechner

(Colossians 3:12–15, NLT) “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”