Scriptures: 1 Peter 3:7

The greatest cause of conflict in any Christian marriage flows from a husband and wife not understanding their God-given roles and differences. When we understand how God not only made us, but fashioned us to complement each other in a marriage relationship, we can respond by giving our spouse what they need, and receiving what we need. In this two-part message, Dr. Merritt speaks to wives, and then husbands, about their respective roles in marriage. The New Testament tells us the wife is commanded to respect her husband, and that the husband is to love his wife. Each of these roles and needs provides husband and wife what they need. Dr. Merritt explains how husband and wife can effectively serve and communicate with their spouse, and as a result avoid much of the conflict and tension that is the downfall of so many marriages.

"Men, the good news is with God all things are possible. It is imperative that we ask God to help us understand our wives knowing that is a prayer that God will have to answer every day. God wants us to enroll in the school of understanding our wives. The good news is the tuition is free. The bad news is you never graduate! Men, it is you need to be constantly studying your wife. You need to be a student of your mate. Don’t be critical of your wife in private. What I mean by that is you should never talk negatively about your wife when she is not around. Not only that, but do not talk negatively about your wife to your children, ever. They should see in you modeled how a husband should treat his wife and how a man should treat a woman. If there is ever a time where you and your wife have a personal or family issue, there is only one person you should talk to—not your children, your family, your friends, your in-laws, your employer, your employees—no, only one person and that is your wife." --Dr. Merritt

Note: This is the second of a two-part message, the first pertaining to the wife, and the second to the husband, that are designed to be taught one after the other. (See Frayed Part 1 Below)

Keywords: the knot, man, woman, husband, wife, marriage, covenant, connection, Jesus Christ, church, married, relationships, love, Slats Grobnik, Christmas tree, Peter, understanding, disagreement, communication, needs, weaker vessel, respect, grace, hand in marriage