Greg Laurie: A New Beginning How to Divorce-Proof Your Marriage | Sunday Message
In this Sunday episode, Pastor Greg Laurie concludes his current series, Am I Doing This Right? with a message titled “How to Divorce-Proof Your Marriage.” Listen in and learn how to strike the word “divorce” from your vocabulary and put your spouse first in all things.
Notes
“I would give my entire fortune for one happy marriage.” —J. Paul Getty
If you do not work on making your marriage stronger, it will slowly but surely die.
1. Selfishness (one word to sum up what breaks most marriages apart).
The problem more likely is you.
Marriage is not about finding the right person but being the right person.
People are so obsessed with themselves.
The origins of sin, selfishness, and the focus on ourselves came from the fall.
“Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” —Genesis 3:16
The term desire means to, “compel, impel, urge, or seek control over.”
(Same word used when the Lord warned Cain later in Genesis.)
Sin wanted to master Cain, but God commanded Cain to master sin!
God is saying to Eve, as a result of sin, “you will want to control the man.”
God is saying to Adam, “You will want to rule over and dominate the woman.”
The curse on Eve (and woman) would be a desire to control man.
The curse on Adam (and men) would be the desire to control women.
2. Communication breakdown.
Learn to listen.
“Only a fool answers a matter before he has heard it.” —Proverbs 18:13
Avoid raising your voice.
If you feel anger building (if necessary) walk away.
Once you have had your disagreement, try to find a resolution, and then forgive!
Fight to resolve, not to win.
3. Adultery.
Sow a thought, reap an act.
Sow an act, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny.
In the New Testament, there are 26 references to Pornea.
- Our bodies are not made for it (1 Corinthians 6:13).
- We should not seek it out (1 Corinthians 7:2).
- We should run from it (1 Corinthians 6:18).
You do incredible damage to yourself.
“When adultery walks in, everything worth having walks out.”
You do incredible damage to your spouse; trust is broken.
You do incredible damage to your children.
You do damage to the church.
You do great damage to your witness and the cause of Christ.
You sin against the Lord Himself.
Note: They said, “Command.” Jesus said, “Permitted.”
1. Divorce is allowed when sexual immorality takes place.
Immorality is not only grounds for divorce; it is also grounds for forgiveness.
2. The only other reason God gives for divorce: desertion.
“Am I loving my wife as Christ loves the church?”
“Am I respecting my husband and submitting to his leadership?”
“Am I denying myself and putting the needs of my mate above my own?”
1. Walk with God.
2. Walk with your spouse.
3. Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly.
4. Count the cost.
Jesus responded, “Let him that is without sin among you cast the first stone.”
Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more!”
Scripture Referenced
James 4:1–2
2 Timothy 3:1–2
Genesis 4:7
Ephesians 5:28
Philippians 2:3–5
James 1:19
Ephesians 4:31–32
Ephesians 4:26
Matthew 5:27–28
1 Corinthians 6:16–18
1 Corinthians 7:13, 15
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