Marriages are not always easy.
Not for us, nor for anyone else. Every marriage goes through difficult times and needs support to get over the rough patches.
One of the greatest things we can do to support our spouse during trying times and in general, is striving towards unity in marriage.
We all want to be happy in marriage.
However, achieving and sustaining happiness isn’t something that just happens as a byproduct of being married; it’s something we have to work at on a continuous basis – because true happiness isn’t found outside of marriage but rather within it.
That being said, there are many things that can help us achieve and walk in unity with our spouse.
In order to keep things in check and maintain that balance, many married couples find inspiration from the Bible.
Here are 10 Bible verses about unity in marriage you might find helpful:
10 Bible Verses About Unity in Marriages
1. Ecclesiastes 4:12
“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
This verse means that the best way to achieve unity in marriage is to be consistent in your actions.
A consistent lifestyle is one that reflects your values and beliefs.
This can be a difficult thing to do but it is necessary to build a lasting relationship with your spouse.
Having unconditional love and trust in your marriage is great for a strong foundation.
2. Genesis 2:24
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)
This verse means that marriage is a sacred covenant between a man, a woman, and God.
When two people are married, they become one in the eyes of God.
This is a beautiful thing because it shows how much God loves us.
He wants us to be happy and have lasting relationships.
3. Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)
Husbands are called to love their wives unconditionally.
This is the same type of love that Christ has for us.
It is a sacrificial love that puts the needs of our spouse above our own.
When we love like this, it shows our spouse how much we truly care for them.
4. Colossians 3:18
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18)
This does not mean that wives are to be submissive in an unhealthy way.
It means that they are to respect their husbands and follow their lead.
This is important because it shows that we trust our husbands to lead our family.
5. Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:20)
This verse is a reminder that children are to obey their parents.
It is important to remember that this is not an option but a command from God.
When we obey our parents, it is a sign of respect and love.
It shows that we trust them to lead us in the right direction.
But this also means that you and your spouse should be on the same page at all times when it comes to raising and disciplining your child.
6. Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21)
It is important to find a balance when it comes to discipline.
If we are too hard on our children, it may discourage them from taking the path we want them to take.
But if we are too lenient, they may not learn the things they need to learn.
As a parent, there is give and take and sometimes we might need to compromise but both spouses should find common ways to parent the kids because this will make things easier for everyone.
7. Philippians 2:4
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
In marriage, this means that we should be considering our spouse’s needs and wants.
We should be looking out for their best interests and not just our own.
When we do this, it shows our spouses that we truly love and care for them.
8. Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31)
This verse is a reminder that we need to get rid of all the negative emotions in our marriage.
Things like bitterness, anger, and slander can ruin a marriage because they destroy any hopes of unity in your marriage.
It is important to get rid of these things so that we can have a happy and healthy relationship.
9. Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
This verse is a reminder that we need to be kind and forgiving towards our spouses.
We need to remember that they are not perfect and that we need to give them grace.
We also need to remember that God has forgiven us, so we should forgive our spouses as well.
It means to try and avoid holding grudges over things that have happened in the past.
10. Ephesians 5:21
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)
This verse is a reminder that we need to be submissive towards our spouses.
We should be willing to put our spouse’s needs above our own.
We should also be willing to follow their lead.
When we do this, it shows our spouses that we respect them and that we trust them to lead our family.
5 Steps to Restore Unity in Your Christian Marriage
1. Know that you are a part of Christ
This doesn’t always feel like the “right” thing to say, but sometimes it’s needed to set the tone for your marriage.
If you’re not sure how you feel about something, ask Jesus for an honest response and let him guide you.
Asking for Jesus’ guidance is a good way to start a dialogue.
He may be able to help you figure out what’s going on in your marriage, or even give you some direction on how to change things for the better.
2. Know that your spouse needs you and wants you
Whether they realize it or not.
Sometimes we think we’re alone because we don’t think we need or have someone who loves us enough to make us feel better about ourselves.
This sometimes makes us feel isolated and different from everyone else but try not to become this way with your spouse.
Because at the end of the day we really do need someone who loves us enough to help us take care of our needs and wants.
3. Be willing to let go of any expectations that might be harming your marriage
Expectations can be great to have but they can become damaging to your marriage if they are not held in check.
As a Christian, you should see your spouse as your equal, not someone who needs to do something to get your love.
Yes, you should both be growing together but you should never let expectations affect your marriage.
4. Don’t try to change your spouse
Take the time to truly listen to your spouse’s needs and feelings and try not to push them away by trying to change them.
You are not doing your spouse any favors by forcing him or her into a certain lifestyle, but there is no reason you can’t be a little bit more compassionate to your spouse and help them through their pain when they need it most.
5. Don’t be afraid of hard times
Remember, God gives us all the tools we need to overcome our trials, so when the good times seem like they’re going to last forever, remember that you can turn to God and use prayer to help you get through tough times.
Don’t get discouraged, don’t give up – God always has a plan for us and things work out when we trust that He will help us.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that unity in marriage is not something that happens overnight; it’s a progressive journey.
It’s something that we must continuously strive for, not something that just magically happens.
As married Christians, we need to remember that we are two individuals with different needs, strengths, weaknesses, and pasts – and we need to respect that.
It’s only then that we can walk in love and unity with our spouse.
