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

Monday, July 4, 2016

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
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 — 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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, July 4, 2016

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Depending on God'
"Dear Precious Child of the Father, My people have had to face hostile trials for their faith all throughout history. I'm not talking about the..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God's Army that Is With Us' (2 Ki. 6:16-17)
"Elisha said, "Don’t be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger than the one against us." Then Elisha prayed, "Lord, open my servant’s eyes, and...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Sticking to the Formula' (Acts 16:13)
"[After arriving in Philippi several days before,] on the Sabbath we [Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke] went a little way outside the city to a..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Nehemiah 3:8
"Cities well fortified have broad walls, and so had Jerusalem in her glory. The New Jerusalem must, in like manner, be surrounded and preserved by a..."

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