Today's Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:4-5 (KJV)

Sunday, July 4, 2004

The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
— 1 Corinthians 7:4-5 (KJV)
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

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.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

9 Related Resources by Heartlight

Unselfish Submission to Bless and Protect
Devo: Together in Christ
"The husband should fulfill his wife's sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband's needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her..."
How do we view ourselves in marriage?
Illustration of 1 Corinthians 7:4
Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 7:4 niv -- The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. A husband's body is not his own but also his wife's.
Family Relations
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, third party to our marriage, Thank you that in matters of family relations you have not left us uninformed. Thank you for your apostle....."
Biblical Marriage
Article by Lee Wilson
Not an archaic form of subjugation but a divine and brilliant system for harmony, mutual enrichment, and voluntary submission! Lee Wilson goes back to the beginning of Scripture and as an experienced relationship coach, invites people to look at God's plan to make marriages thrive.
See All 9 Related Resources about 1 Corinthians 7:4-5

Illustration

Illustration of 1 Corinthians 7:4-5 (KJV) — The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, July 4, 2004

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Deuteronomy 4:40
"Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land....."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'A Promise for the Nations' (Jn. 11:51-53)
"[Caiaphas] did not say [that it was better for one man to die than the whole nation perish] on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Godly Gain' (1 Ti. 6:1-10)
"Dear Father, whose truth is gentle, Help us to find a heart to serve you, even in oppressive circumstances. Grant that our religion may not be a..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Must!' (Jn. 4:23-24)
"[Jesus said,] "But the time is coming — indeed it's here now — when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for..."

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.

More Today's Verse