Today's Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:4-5

Friday, July 4, 2008

The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
— 1 Corinthians 7:4-5
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul told us that our bodies were not our own, but that Christ bought us at a price and that we should glorify God with our bodies. Once again, in chapter 7, Paul reminds us that when we marry, our body is not our own. It belongs to our spouse. We are to use our bodies to bless, please, and bring fulfillment to our marriage partner. It is not our job to make sure they bless us, but our job is to make sure we bless our husband or wife. Such mutual self-giving and sacrificial love are crucial to healthy marriages. Without such loving sacrifice, we cannot please God or bless our spouse.

My Prayer...

Holy and loving God, please forgive me when I have cheapened myself by not treating my body as a gift to you. Whether I am married or single, I want to use my body in ways that are holy and pleasing to you and in ways that will bless my marriage partner if I am married. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of 1 Corinthians 7:4-5 — The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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