With so many broken marriages, we must know and apply Bible principles for a happy marriage in Ephesians 5:21-33. These principles can only be applied by Spirit-filled Christians because marriage is a spiritual institution. What are these principles?

1. SUBMIT YOURSELVES ONE TO ANOTHER 5:22

Both husband and wife must submit to meet each other's needs above their own. Each has special needs. Only as we fulfil each other's needs can peace and happiness prevail.

2. EACH SUBMIT TO GOD. 5:22 "in the fear of God."

Both marriage partners must live by God's ways in the Bible. If one or both partners disobey Bible principles, problems are certain, which lead to frustration and possible divorce.

3. WIVES SUBMIT TO YOUR HUSBANDS as you submit to God. 5:22

I Peter 3:1-6 Don't shatter your husband's ego or self respect, but hold him in high regard, helping him to achieve his goals as a help-meet. Genesis 2:18. God can change his heart if he is wrong. Proverbs 21:1. Wives submit to your own husband's in everything (Ephesians 5:24).

4. UNDERSTAND that the earthly marriage of a wife submitting to her husband is a PICTURE of the Heavenly Marriage of the Church submitting to Christ as her Head. Ephesians 5:23. Aim to have a marriage as good as Christ and the Church.

5. BOTH MUST BE SAVED. They must have received Christ as their Saviour. Ephesians 5:23.

"He is the Saviour of the body."

6. Wives must have a MEEK and QUIET SPIRIT which is in the sight of God of great price. I Peter 3:4

7. Husbands DWELL WITH YOUR WIVES according to KNOWLEDGE, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel. I Peter 3:7 Husband, realise that your wife is more vulnerable emotionally. Protect her from emotional stress and discomfort.

8. PRAY TOGETHER. "That your prayers be not hindered." I Peter 3:7.

9. BE OF ONE MIND, compassionate, loving, be pitiful, BE COURTEOUS. Don't render evil for evil, but bless when your spouse hurts you. I Peter 3:8, 9

10. HUSBANDS LOVE YOUR WIVES. How much? Ephesians 5:25.

As Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. How much did Christ love the Church?

Christ died for the Church. Husband's should be willing to die for their wife, to meet her needs, even to live for her daily.

11. HUSBANDS SEEK TO

a) Keep your wife holy, sanctify her

b) Keep her spiritually clean by the Word of God, as you read it together

c) Make you and your wife without blemish, which means to be perfect in character. Ephesians 5:27.

12. HUSBANDS love your wives as you love and look after your own body. 5:28 If you love your wife and treat her right, she will love you and treat you right, and you will feel better. If you hurt and criticise your wife, she will hurt you. Therefore if you love your wife, you are loving yourself.

13. HUSBANDS NOURISH AND CHERISH your wife and meet her needs as much as Christ meets the Church's needs. Ephesians 5:29.

Nourish 1625 - to rear up to maturity

Cherish 2282 - to warm, to brood, to foster.

14. WE MUST WORK TOGETHER as bones in a body or as a team.

"For we are members of his body, of his flesh, of his bones." Ephesians 5:30.

15. LEAVE YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER when you get married.

Don't let parents-in-law interfere. Don't live with your parents.

You are no longer under their authority. Ephesians 5:31.

16. Husbands CLEAVE to your wife as one flesh. Ephesians 5:33.

Achieve oneness spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.

17. Wife, REVERENCE your husband.

Husband, LOVE your wife as yourself.. Ephesians 5:33.

Pr. Keith Piper