web: www.inspiringmarriages.net

email: inspiringmarriages@att.net

music: @joseph_fields_texas

Marriage:

• A man and a woman

• Physically and emotionally intimate

• Working together in a shared life to help each other realize their visions and dreams

• Walking with God to fulfill their callings and goals

“And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” Matthew 19:4-6 NASB1995

“At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame. " Genesis 2:23-25 New Living Translation

The idea of a marriage being free from outside influences suggests creating a strong, resilient bond between spouses that isn't swayed by external pressures or opinions.

Establishing clear boundaries with family, friends, and work to ensure that these relationships support rather than undermine the marriage.

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NASB1995

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV

a. You may have to separate from family/friends who actively attempt to sabotage your marriage

b. But at the same time you can’t cut off spouse from family/friends (unless they are destructive)

c. Never have intimate/secret conversation with someone of the opposite sex

d. You cannot spend time alone with a person of the opposite sex

1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

e. Your spouse must be given the right to speak up to you if he/she sees a dangerous boundary violation