ENJOY THE SPOUSE YOU MARRIED!

The title of this article is an interpretation of the Message Bible version of Proverbs chapter 5 verse 18. The verse reads:  'Bless your fresh-flowing fountain! Enjoy the wife you married as a young man! The context of the chapter is an encouragement to the man to avoid sexual perversion. The chapter presents a man who goes into sexual relations with a woman not his wife as a foolish person. 

The chapter shows the things a man should beware of concerning the strange woman. It then admonishes the man to focus on his marriage and enjoy his own wife. This article highlights how couple can enjoy each other and be free from sexual perversion.

Be focused on who you married: Your spouse was chosen among other persons who either were close to you at some time or were not, but were known to you as good people. Having known many people and finally chose to settle with one, it is expected that you focus on each other and keep away from others. Focusing on each other implies enjoying each other as you are; improving on what need to be improved on about each other and not comparing each other with other people.

Appreciate each other: Always be grateful  that you chose each other. Express this to each other as often as you wish to do it. Don't wait till each other's special day to celebrate the person on the social media platforms. Celebrate them at home. Let your spouse know how much they mean to you and let other people know how much your spouse means to you.

Be available to satisfy each other sexually: Staying focused on each other requires that you are emotionally and physically connected to each other. That level of connection leads to being aroused easily by hearing each other's voice, thinking of each other, casually touching each other. It results in desiring to be with each other often and looking forward to be with each other whenever you are apart. Therefore do not joke with each other's sexual desires; do not take for granted the need to satisfy each other sexually. Realizing the need for sex in marriage and knowing that you are always available to meet that need, keeps the desire in check.

Respect each other: The society expects that a wife should respect the husband. The interpretation is that men have ego and require respect from their wife. Another interpretation is that the Scriptures require the wife to submit to their husband. While these assertions are correct, it is important to also realize that respect is reciprocal.
A man that requires respect from his wife should also be willing to honour her as his Jewel and treat her with delight. I do not believe that a husband should take his wife for granted while he expects her to always respect him. 

In 1Peter 3:7, the Bible admonishes that husbands should honour their wives and delight in them so that their prayers will not be hindered. It is interesting that this comes directly after he has asked wives to be of good conduct towards their husbands; yet many husbands use the first part of that scripture to justify their demand for respect from their wives, without adding that they also have similar role in the marriage.  

Always be willing to share:  Sharing is one of the ways of expressing love. It is the simplest way to describe sacrifice.  Your willingness to share your resources and yourself with your spouse per time adds to the level of commitment you show to the marriage.  Loving your wife and submitting to your own husband takes humility and sacrifices. Therefore if you must enjoy your spouse emotionally, physically, sexually and financially, you should be ever ready to share without conditions. Making sacrifice does not consider if the other spouse is doing their part of the deal; it simply requires going ahead to do your part, when it is convenient and when it is not convenient.

Getting married to someone is a major decision any spouse would make in their lifetime. Having chosen your spouse, realize that both of you have what it takes to make the most of your relationship. Take the right steps and enjoy the spouse you married.