Question: How can you help your friends reconnect romantically/lovingly with Biblical teaching? I know there’s a lot about love, I guess what I’m really asking is, how would you approach this?
There was a time in our walk with the Lord that we learned a very important lesson about getting involved in other people’s marriages. We had some friends that had a very rocky marriage, and often came to us to voice their complaints about one another, the husband to my husband and the wife to me. We found ourselves taking sides in the matter, and having an opinion, which started to add stress to our own relationship. The thing was that these friends were Christians receiving the same teaching and instruction we were, yet they weren’t putting it to practice. This was something we have, and continue to encounter all the time, regarding marriage principles along with many other principles in the word.
Unfortunately, we cannot make anyone do anything, even when we know it is important! The best thing we can do is be the example of walking uprightly. One thing the Apostle Paul encouraged both Timothy and Titus with is to be an example for other believers in speech, in love and in conduct, for instance. (1 Tim. 4:12 & Titus 2:7). This is good advice for all of us! Be an example of a good marriage. Be an example of a loving spouse. Speak highly of your spouse, show love, demonstrate benevolent behaviors and show these friends a higher way.
Besides this, pray for these friends. Go to the Lord on their behalf and ask Him to help them see each other the way He sees them. Often times when spouses don’t treat each other lovingly and kindly it’s because they’ve lost their gratitude for one another. Someone who is grateful for their spouse will let them know it. Look at Galatians 6:1-2, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Consider how hard sometimes it is to get back up from a slippery slope and take on this burden for your friends in prayer. Intercede for them, meaning go to God on their behalf. Whenever you consider their situation, take it to the Lord. Walk gently with them as they work these things out. In the meantime, ask the Lord for wisdom in how to speak to them if that’s what He has for you to do:
I love what Proverbs 27:17 says, that is, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” The best thing we can do for our brothers and sisters is be this iron in their lives. When iron is rubbed against another piece of iron it shapes and sharpens it. Similarly, Christians can help each other by their influence as they spend time together. Purpose to be the kind of influence that blesses and adds to others faith in God and in fulfilling their upward call in Christ.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Renée
