Ten Ways That You Can Waste Your Marriage

1. You will waste your marriage if you do not believe it is ordained by God to conform you to the image of His Son.

Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, ...

2. You will waste your marriage if you do not see that it was designed by God to model the union of Christ and His Church.

Ephesians 5:32
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

3. You will waste your marriage if you do not recognize that it is intended by God to bear witness to the Gospel.

I Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

4. You will waste your marriage if you fail to see that your companion's character flaws and physical handicaps are God given ministry opportunities for you to develop a deeper love for him or her.

I Corinthians 7:14
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

5. You will waste your marriage if you view yourself as a victim of wrong choice rather than the beneficiary a glorious providence.

Ephesians 1:11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

6. You will waste your marriage if you think that you can be more effective for Christ living and serving independently of your marriage partner.

I Peter 3:7
Being heirs together of the grace of life;

7. You will waste your marriage if you fail to understand that answered prayer depends on the honor and reverence you show your companion.

I Peter 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

8. You will waste your marriage if you squander your time in carnal indulgencies rather than using it to build a more loving and enduring relationship.

Matthew 7:26-27
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his
house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the
floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house;
and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

9. You will waste your marriage when you attempt to live out your role as a husband or wife without the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:16
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

10. You will waste your marriage if you fail to live it for the glory of God.

Psalm 34:3-4
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.