I've been married for four years now and I'm not an expert on it. For those who read this who are or are not married I'm going to impart some wisdom to you. If it's friendship or your spouse learn to be forgiving. When Marion and I fight it doesn't last long thankfully but we make it a point to be done quickly and forgive one another. I used to work with a lady who was so extremely bitter towards her husband and she never forgave him of anything. I have met both men and women who would come to work and for almost their whole shift they would speak ill of their spouse. You have to learn to be forgiving of your spouse, friends and family in order for love to prosper. When Marion and I were still dating we made a commitment to one another to not go to work and talk bad about the other person. If you go and talk bad about that person it shows disrespect for them and it will get back to them and destroy them. 1 John 2:9 If anyone claims, "I am living in the light" but hates a Christian brother or sister that person is still living in darkness. How we talk about others can have a big impact. Proverbs 18:21 "Words kill, words give life. They're either poison or fruit you choose."
The first verse I started with talked about love prospering when a fault is forgiven. As we draw closer to God we need to become more like Him because He's rich in love and slow to anger. We are called to love and forgive and love is a verb requiring action. Psalm 103:8 "The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love."
So then the question becomes how then should we live. Here's how
Ephesians 4:17-32
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26“In your anger do not sin”d : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold.28Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
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