As Christians, we are called to love and prioritize both God and our spouse.
However, when it comes to the question of which one comes first, it’s a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no answer.
It’s important to seek God’s guidance and wisdom in this matter, but let’s explore what the Bible has to say about the order of our priorities.
God is our ultimate priority
The Bible is clear that God comes first in our lives.
In Matthew 22:37-38, Jesus says, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Our love and devotion to God should be our primary focus; it’s the foundation upon which all other relationships in our lives should be built.
Without a strong relationship with God, we are unable to fully love and honor our spouse in the way that God intended.
Our relationship with our spouse is second only to our relationship with God
In the Bible, we are also called to honor and love our spouse.
Ephesians 5:22-33 instructs husbands and wives to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ and to love each other in the same way that Christ loves the church.
Our relationship with our spouse is not something that should be neglected or forgotten, but it should fall under our priority after our relationship with God.
Our love for God and our spouse should be intertwined
The priority of our love for God and our spouse should not be viewed as a competition or a hierarchy.
Instead, the two are meant to be intertwined.
As we grow closer to God, our love for our spouse should grow as well.
Likewise, as we love and prioritize our spouse, we should be doing so in a way that glorifies God.
A healthy relationship with our spouse includes inviting God into our marriage, praying together, and seeking wisdom from the Bible.
A healthy balance between God and our spouse is key
Balancing our love for God and our love for our spouse is no easy task, but it’s an essential part of a healthy Christian marriage.
We cannot neglect one relationship for the other and expect things to go smoothly.
In order to maintain a healthy balance, we should prioritize time with God through prayer, Bible study, and attending church.
We should also prioritize time with our spouse through date nights, quality time, and seeking to understand and meet their needs.
Every marriage is unique and requires different adjustments
While the order of priorities between God and your spouse should remain constant, the way in which we express this order can play out differently in every marriage.
What works for one couple may not work for another, so it’s important to continually seek God’s guidance in this matter.
This means taking time to pray together, discuss what values are important to you as a couple, and seek counsel from trusted members of your church community.
Balancing our love for God and our love for our spouse is a crucial part of a healthy Christian marriage.
While God should always come first, our relationship with our spouse is a close second.
Remember, the two should not be viewed as a competition or hierarchy, but instead should be intertwined.
Finding a healthy balance between the two will require active effort and a willingness to adjust to the unique needs of your individual marriage.
When we prioritize God and our spouse in the right order, we can experience a marriage that honors God and brings joy to us and our partner.
