UNCENSORED 5

In our recent four-week "UNCENSORED" series at Journey Church, we invited folks to submit questions on marriage, sex, purity and relationships.  

Below is one of those questions ...

Q:  You've told us to 'Encourage our partner and he/she will rise to the level of our praise.'  What if I do that and it doesn't work?


A:  Another great question.

In a healthy marriage or relationship you can make this happen.  Joelene can speak correction, counsel and direction into my life and I'll receive that, though not always with a smile.
 Actually, the unhealthier the relationship, the MORE this principle actually applies, not the less.  Because criticism, even when constructively given, in an unhealthy relationship, can't be received the way it was intended.  Where there is constant tension and conflict, what one hears is rarely what the other one said.  This kind of interaction only makes a bad situation worse.

Further, the Bible never tells us to change anyone.  It says to get a mirror - look in there - and change that person.

I Peter 3 tells us:  'Wives, if your husband does not obey the word, live in a way that he may be won without a word by the conduct of your pure lifestyle.'

The work of the Holy Spirit isn't to be done by you.  You make a terrible Holy Spirit.  And if the Holy Spirit can't get through to him/her, you're certainly not going to be able to.

Submit everything to God in prayer - and keep encouraging him/her.  Those are some of your greatest weapons.


I'm praying for you.

And be blessed.