
Overcoming the Illusion of a Better Marriage Elsewhere •
Overcoming the Illusion of a Better Marriage Elsewhere •
Overcoming the Illusion of a Better Marriage Elsewhere • Overcoming the Illusion of a Better Marriage Elsewhere •
Devotional - KEEPING THE GRASS GREEN
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Scripture: Proverbs 24:30-34 (NLT)
“I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down… A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.”Neglect in marriage is like a vineyard left unattended—it slowly deteriorates. When we fail to invest in our relationships through communication, quality time, and intentional love, cracks begin to form. David’s neglect of his duties as king led to disastrous consequences in his personal life (2 Samuel 11). He failed to guard his heart, and his spiritual laziness made him vulnerable to temptation. A strong marriage requires consistent care, just like a healthy garden requires regular watering and maintenance.
Reflection:
• Are there areas in your marriage that have been neglected?
• What small actions can you take today to invest in your relationship?Prayer:
Lord, help me to be diligent in nurturing my marriage. Show me areas where I’ve been neglectful, and give me wisdom to strengthen my relationship. Amen. -
Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:15 (NLT)
“Catch for us the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.”Small irritations, misunderstandings, and unresolved issues, if left unattended, will eventually grow into major conflicts. David’s downfall didn’t begin with adultery—it began with a single choice to stay home instead of fulfilling his responsibilities (2 Samuel 11:1). That one moment of passivity led him down a path of temptation, deception, and destruction. Most marriages don’t collapse suddenly; they erode over time as minor offenses, bitterness, and lack of communication pile up. When we ignore problems rather than address them, we allow weeds to take over the beautiful garden of our marriage.
Reflection:
• Are there “small foxes” in your marriage that need to be addressed?
• How can you be proactive in preventing little issues from becoming big problems?Prayer:
Father, help me recognize and address small problems in my marriage before they grow. Give me patience, wisdom, and love to handle challenges with grace. Amen. -
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)
“Two are better than one… a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”Marriage is a journey that requires endurance, especially during difficult seasons. There will be moments when feelings of love fade, stress increases, and life’s pressures weigh heavily on your relationship. David allowed his guard to drop, and instead of intentionally protecting his marriage, he became distracted by his own desires (2 Samuel 11:4). A strong marriage is built not on fleeting emotions but on the daily decision to love, serve, and protect each other. Just as athletes train consistently to build endurance, couples must invest in their marriage to keep it strong.
Reflection:
• In what ways can you be more intentional in your marriage?
• How can you and your spouse support each other during difficult seasons?Prayer:
Lord, give me perseverance and intentionality in my marriage. Help me to actively invest in my relationship and love my spouse the way You love us. Amen. -
Scripture: Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)
“Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”The words we speak to our spouse have a profound impact on the health of our marriage. Harsh criticism, nagging, and negative words can create emotional distance, while words of encouragement, gratitude, and affirmation build intimacy and trust. David’s deceit and manipulation with Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, only deepened the destruction (2 Samuel 11:14-15). What if, instead of deceit, David had spoken truth and taken responsibility for his actions? Words have power—they can either heal or harm. Choose to speak life into your marriage today.
Reflection:
• Do your words encourage or tear down your spouse?
• How can you intentionally speak life into your marriage today?Prayer:
Father, help me use my words to bless and uplift my spouse. Teach me to speak with kindness, wisdom, and love. Amen. -
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”The enemy seeks to destroy marriages, often through subtle distractions, temptations, and unresolved bitterness. David didn’t guard his heart against temptation, which led to his moral failure (2 Samuel 11:2-5). He allowed himself to be in a vulnerable situation by looking at Bathsheba instead of turning away. In marriage, we must guard our hearts, minds, and actions, setting boundaries to protect our relationship from external influences that could cause division. Just as a soldier remains vigilant in battle, we must be watchful over our marriages.
Reflection:
• What are some potential outside threats to your marriage?
• How can you and your spouse create safeguards to protect your relationship?Prayer:
Lord, help me be alert and guard my marriage from anything that threatens it. Strengthen my commitment to my spouse and to You. Amen. -
Scripture: Ephesians 5:33 (NLT)
“So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”Every person experiences love differently, and learning your spouse’s love language is key to strengthening your marriage. David failed to show love in an honorable way; he took what wasn’t his instead of cherishing what God had given him (2 Samuel 11:4). True love is expressed through intentional acts that speak to your spouse’s heart. Whether it’s words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, quality time, or physical touch, regularly investing in love builds a healthy, lasting marriage.
Reflection:
• Which love language best speaks to your spouse?
• How can you better express love in a way your spouse understands?Prayer:
Lord, teach me to love my spouse in a way that truly speaks to their heart. Help me be intentional in showing love daily. Amen. -
Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:13 (NLT)
“Then David confessed to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’”No marriage is beyond redemption. David’s story didn’t end in destruction—after being confronted by Nathan, he repented, and God restored him (2 Samuel 12). Whether your marriage has faced difficulties, neglect, or even betrayal, God’s grace is greater. Restoration begins with humility, confession, and a renewed commitment to love and honor your spouse. When you surrender your marriage to God, He can heal what has been broken and bring new life to your relationship.
Reflection:
• Are there areas in your marriage that need healing or restoration?
• How can you invite God into your relationship for renewal?Prayer:
Father, I surrender my marriage to You. Heal any broken areas and help us walk in unity, love, and forgiveness. Thank You for Your grace and restoration. Amen.
Resources
This is a podcast dedicated to undressing the truth about sex, intimacy and lifelong love. The concerns and questions most couples have in marriage often go unspoken, until now.
Hosts Dave and Ashley Willis bring wisdom, vulnerability, and humor to the toughest marriage topics. Together, they reach millions of couples through their social media, books, videos, articles, and live events.
Dave and Ashley are the authors of multiple books including the bestseller, The Naked Marriage.
Ashley and Dave individually provide one-on-one biblical counseling, mental health coaching, and marriage coaching.