10 Ways to Deepen Your Love for Your Spouse

Today, I continue the "top 10" spectacular extravaganza. With today's list, I can honestly say that this is personally convicting, even though I am the one writing it. I fail my wife in many of these areas constantly, but I am praying that God will grow me in my love for my wife until He calls us home. Enjoy!!

10 Ways to Deepen Your Love for Your Spouse

1. Realize they are not Jesus--there was only one perfect man, and it certainly isn't your spouse. They are a sinful human being, so to expect anything more than that is quite possibly expecting too much.

2. Realize they are not even close to Jesus--God may be growing your spouse in certain areas; but as I said before, don't expect them to "never let you down." They certainly should be battling sin, but falling is inevitable (ala Romans 7) while still trapped in this "body of death."

3. Realize that you are not Jesus--You are not the perfect spouse either. Realizing this should help you in your struggle to forgive your spouse's failures.

4. Realize you are not even close to Jesus--God is still growing the both of you, and you still need the Gospel as much as you did the first day you were saved.

5. Pray (sincerely) for them--Praying for your spouse is a great way to deepen your love for them. It is hard to be praying for someone and continue to be hostile toward them (unless it's an impreccatory or self-righteous prayer).

6. Pray with them--Praying with your spouse is another great way to grow in your love for them. There is nothing that brings a couple closer than to be bowed together at the feet of the King in prayer.

7. Read with them--Reading with your spouse is a great way to deepen the love you have for them. Not only do you get the privilege of learning together fresh truths (from the Word of God), but it opens up conversation on the deepest levels--at the heart.

8. Self-sacrificially serve them--Serving your spouse, at the expense of your time and energy, is a great way to deepen your love for your spouse because it affords you the opportunity of loving like Christ. Christ loved His bride at the expense of everything He had--even His own life. Showing love to your spouse through giving your life in service will allow you the opportunity of being a living example of the Gospel toward your spouse everyday.

9. Forgive them (even when they are the wrong one...)--Forgiving is in God's nature, and forgiving when one has been offended is one of the greatest opportunities for us to demonstrate Godliness toward our spouse. When they don't deserve it is the best time to show forgiveness to your spouse.

10. Preach the Gospel to them--The person in your life who needs to hear the truths of the Gospel everyday (besides yourself, of course) is your spouse. Reminding your spouse of the truths found in the Gospel everyday is the greatest way that you can deepen your love for your spouse. The Gospel is the only thing strong enough to bond two people together for a lifetime and continue to deepen their love for one another. As with prayer, you cannot genuinely preach the Gospel to someone and not grow in your love for them. This most certainly applies to your spouse as well. Preach the Gospel to your spouse--remind them everyday that their sins have been put on Christ on the cross, and they are righteous before God because of Him. Remind them of their acceptance before God because of Christ, and their continual state of acceptance before God because of His unfailing and unchanging mercy.