Don't Go To Bed Angry: A Few More Scriptures

Hello friends! Last week we covered the oft-advised and oft-misconstrued "don't go to bed angry" and what it means for Christian marriages. This week I wanted to offer up a few quick thoughts and associated scriptures in connection with this topic.

As a reminder, this is the scripture we discussed last week:

26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. (Eph 4: 26-27 NIV)

Now, on to some scattered-but-still-related thoughts:

Love covers a multitude of sins, and acting toward our spouses in love doesn't lead to all-night discussions in the name of "resolution" for our anger and offense. 

(8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Pet 4: 8 NIV)

God's mercies are new every morning, and ours should be, too. That includes our spouses. 

(22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22-23 NIV)

We are called to forgive with the forgiveness we've been given. If - and when - forgiveness is hard, let's remember that we're not perfect, either. Then let's get back to forgiving instead of lamenting how difficult it is. 

(32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph 4: 32 NIV) 

(14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matt 6: 14-15 NIV) 

(23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. John 20: 23 NIV)

God tells men that it's better to live on the corner of a rooftop than in a comfortable home with an angry wife. Tension in the home doesn't fit this picture.

(Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Prov 21: 9 NIV)

Love is sacrificial. If it hurts to heal your heart before bedtime as opposed to fighting with your spouse and "convincing" them to change their actions in order to avoid hurting your feelings in the future, you might not be sacrificing in the name of love the way God intends. 

(10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  1 John 4: 10 NIV)

(16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3: 16 NIV)

(25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Eph 5: 25 NIV)

(13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15: 13 NIV)

You are both sinners, struggling with the same temptations, sins, and stresses over and over. 

(23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Rom 3: 23 NIV)

God values the marriage covenant, so the devil will try to destroy it.

(18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Gen 2: 18 NIV)

(24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Gen 2: 24 NIV)

(4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Heb 13: 4 NIV)

(Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone. 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Eccl 4: 9-12 NIV)

(He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Prov 18: 22 NIV)

(A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Prov 31: 10 NIV)

(Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. 7 Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned. Song of Solomon 8: 6-7 NIV)

And, lastly:

(4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. 1 Cor 13: 4-8a NIV)

All the love,

Emily

P.S. Feel free to contact me at admin@tulipsandbasil.com!