Part of the problem today with marriage is that it is being devalued by a umber of things, not the least of which is the idea that a couple can get together without being married and have all the ?benefits? of marriage.

While purity is something that should be pursued by both people in a relationship, traditionally the woman has held control over a relationship, insisting on a commitment before providing the companionship.

Children

Let?s face it, women have children, and the best environment for children is with a committed father and mother in the family.? Biology states that women have children, and when you?re in a non-committed relationship, you?re possibly denying your child their father.

Hard to Get

That is why it?s not just a tactic, it?s important for women to play hard to get.? A guy shouldn?t get your emotional or physical love until he?s given you a commitment:

As single women, we need to stop treating men as if they are our husbands.? We are created with a nature that longs to serve and please a man, but when we do this, we take away his desire for a wife.? ? [I]f women are giving men companionship outside of marriage, he will never hunger for female companionship inside of marriage.? Women have the ability to create a void in a man?s life so he will become self-motivated to fill it with the presence of a wife.

? Emotional Purity: An Affair of the Heart

Too often I?ve seen women who long for marriage give companionship?kindness?to a man who they hope will propose only to realize that they are doing effect exactly the opposite.? They are taking away his incentive to commit.

Saving For Tomorrow

It?s hard to wait?we?re programmed and told over and over that we can have what we want when we want it.? The problem is that, whether it?s a car or a husband/wife, seldom is the thing that is right in front of you he best that you can do.? When it comes to debt, yes you can ?have it now?, but you?ll pay double.? Same goes for a marriage or relationship?sure you can have a companion right now, but you may pay much more emotionally and physically if the relationship dissolves because you took Mr. Right Now over Mr. Right.

Ouch! This is a challenge to me. If I start to get a little harsh, Colin will say, “Come on, Darling, be sweet to me.” And I do have to be reminded! But he never lets me get away with sharp words. He always pulls me up to be gentle and sweet.

How do you sweeten your marriage? With words – sweet words, soft words, encouraging words, cheerful words, positive words, helpful words, supportive words, kind words, wise words, forgiving words, loving words, pleasant words and life-giving words. You can?t miss having a successful marriage if you put this secret into practice!

I am always challenged by Song of Solomon 4:11 where the Bridegroom speaks to the bride and says, “Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue.” What drips from the honeycomb? Sweetness! What kind of words drip from your tongue?

A dear friend called in this morning and shared this quote with me: “People turn their best side out: they are delightful in company, but snarly at home. There they give vent to their dissatisfaction, their temper, their grouch. They are scent-bottles abroad, vinegar-bottles at home? To be a Christian at home one must learn to ?keep sweet?.”

Your words will gradually kill your marriage or they can keep it alive with love. It?s your choice. Proverbs 18:21.

~Nancy Campbell~