Do you expect your partner to be able to read your mind? Do you expect them to become just like you? We need to discover and value the difference in our partner. We are all unique and we should not expect to be identical. Can one human change another? Not as the Lord has made them.

1 – Behind the Ivory Palace Gates

The Bible has a lot to say about controlling the tongue. It is so important in communication. See proverbs 12:18; 15:23; 16:23-24; 18:21; 21:23 & 25:11-15.

2 – The Key to Your Marriage – Communication

Communication is vital for love to get to its deepest point. We are to think together rather than alike. A marriage can be ruined by the tone or expression of the voice. Some of the problems with communication are below:-

• What you mean to say.
• What you actually say.
• What the other person hears.
• What the other person thinks he hears.
• What the other person says about what you said.
• What you think the other person said about what you said!

3 – Choosing in Your Marriage

How you handle communication is important.

• To clarify. In your marriage say straight what you mean.
• To listen. Listen to the question and don’t jump in too soon. See Proverbs 18:2. To be honest.
• To be open. Your partner must know how you feel. The woman wants a detailed report of the day. The man wants to give a quick summary.
• To have some “nevers”. Never use sarcasm, criticise or correct each other in public. Never drop a delayed bomb. Tell the truth about the thing gracefully.

4 – Foxes in the Vineyard and How to Take Them

See Song of Solomon 2:8-15.

• Confusion. See Ephesians 5:15-16. Children can bring confusion. The Bible takes out confusion.
• Busyness. See Ephesians 5:15-16. Take time out for you and your family. Get your priorities right!
• Insensitivity. See Ephesians 5:17.
• Stubbornness. See Ephesians 5:18-21.

5 – How to Have a Good Fight!

See Ephesians 4:25-32.

• Keep it honest (vs. 25). When you are wrong admit it and when you are right shut up!
• Keep it under control (vs. 26). Keep anger under control. Don’t break the wife’s spirit.
• Keep it timed right (vs. 26-27). Never use silence as punishment on your partner.
• Keep it positive (vs. 28). Don’t concentrate on the problems but on the answers.
• Keep it tactful (vs. 29).
• Keep it private (vs. 31).
• Keep it cleaned up (vs. 32).

Remember this motto for family life: – “A Christian should so live that he would not be afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip!”

Categories: Ephesians