Honesty in Marriage (Part 3)

Recently, we began a 3-part blog series titled “Honesty in Marriage”. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. We have seen Ephesians 4:25 and how falsehoods in marriage can be so destructive and I gave examples of falsehoods. Then, we looked at the “put on”: speaking the truth in love.

Today, I want to draw som econclusing applicaioton.

Too many spouses have grown sloppy and lazy with how they speak with one another. Too many spouses aren’t loving with how we speak with one another. Too many spouses exchange the truth of God for lies to gain something for our own pleasures.

The good news is that changing any habits of false communication can be accomplished. Changing habits may not be easy, but it can be done.

“No temptationhas overtaken you (can “overwhelm” or “overcome” you”) that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape (a clear lighted path through a dark and dreadful circumstance), that you may be able to endure it” (I Cor 10:13).

There is nothing you can’t handle with God at your side. God will give you more than you can handle, but there is not a subtle or obvious sinful seduction that you cannot resist without God’s help.

Let me close with a few reminders and helps for growing in truth-speech.

First, be humble. When we are committed to speaking the truth in love, we are committed to doing what is best for our spouse. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil 2:3-4). We should not be driven by the idea of our spouse hearing our opinions or getting our advice but show an eagerness to heart what our spouse has to say.  

Second, learn to listen. James 1:19 says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” If you are growing in the 1^st reminder – to be humble – than this principle will be a natural overflow. Humility leads to a desire to serve our spouse with our speech, and we cannot do that unless we know what to say, and we cannot do that unless we have heard our spouse rightly.

Third, pray for God’s help. Solomon gives a sample prayer that can be offered to God in Proverbs 30:8 – “Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me.” And that food is the speaking of truth!

In marriage, put away all falsehood and speak all the truth in love. Always be honest.