Did you know there is a spiritual connection in marriage? Paul counsels husbands with these words: “Likewise [just like Christ gave himself sacrificially], you husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge [not just feelings], giving honor to the wife [as a significant part], as unto the weaker [more fragile] vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers are not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).

On our Christmas tree each year we have plastic ornaments and we have glass ornaments. The grandkids can pluck one of the plastic ornaments off the tree and bounce it off the floor, and we just put it back. But the glass ornaments weren’t designed to be tough or rugged. They were made to be beautiful and sensitive and fragile. So, we use greater care with the glass ones. We place them a little higher on the tree and pack them away more securely. Its like that with your wife. She was created to be beautiful, sensitive and can easily be broken. You can be rugged with the guys and poke fun about their beer belly, but that talk will devastate your wife. She is the more fragile vessel. You need to shift gears when you walk into your home and treat her like you value her. Because a broken ornament can become very jagged and hurt you back. Put on your kidd gloves when dealing with your wife.

Because, if you don’t, and a wedge is allowed to come between you, God will not even hear your prayers. The crack in your marriage covenant will be so offensive to the God who brought you together that He won’t intercede on your behalf. Its just that important that you get this right. You don’t have to get divorced to get God to withdraw, just being stubborn enough to treat her carelessly is all it takes. If you value your relationship with God, you must begin valuing your relationship with your wife.

This would be a good time to go buy some flowers or something. And begin living with her according to knowledge [stop being stupid].