The Ten Commitments (Commandments) for Marriage
---adapted from D. James Kennedy

I

"Thou shall have no other human being before your husband or your wife."
No other human being should come before your mate - no one, neither father nor mother, son nor daughter, brother nor sister, friend nor acquaintance.

II
" Thou shall put no thing before your husband or wife."
You should put no thing between each other. No house should ever come before your spouse. Whether house, car, pleasure, money, or fame - nothing."

III
" Thou shall not belittle, criticize or fault find, but rather encourage your spouse in all ways."
Since God's Word teaches us to make no idols, it follows that we are to honor each other's name. Honor each other and seek to put each other first above any other person on earth.

IV
" Thou shall remember her/his day, to keep it special."
Set time aside for the two of you so you may not grow apart but even closer. Your spouse and your children are worthy of your time and your undivided attention.

V
" Thou shall give honor not only to your father and mother, but to those who become your father-in-law and mother-in-law."
As you two become one, you marry into another family. Wise is the husband or wife who does not take it upon himself or herself to find fault with those who are related to their spouse.

VI
" Thou shall not destroy the spirit within your spouse."
Husbands, do not destroy your bride's dreams and hopes for the future which she now places in your hands. Most of man's earthly happiness depends upon his wife. Most assuredly God will bless a man in this life, yet John Wesley discovered that, regardless of a noble cause, a woman can make a man most miserable. Wife, covenant that you will not be such a person. Both of you must honor and build up the personhood of the other.

VII
" Thou shall give your passions only to each other, not to another."
You should not give away your passions to another in word, in thought, or in deed. This person beside whom you stand on your wedding day is to be your lover as well as your helpmate and your best friend.

VIII
" Husband, steal not from your wife that which is her privilege to give. Wife, receive what he gives to you with gratitude"
The spirit of gratitude can greatly bless a home. If your minds are filled with thoughts of gratitude, and if you look on that which you do have and not that which you do not have, you will be blessed.

IX
" Thou shall not bear false witness to each other."
Be honest with each other. Dishonesty and an unwillingness to talk through differences build a silent wall, which is not easily dismantled. The real self, then, refuses to be disclosed, and a couple may gradually begin to drift apart.

X
" Thou shall not seek greener pastures, whether they be those things physical or material."
Do no engage in selfish fantasies. Be content with the one whom God has given to you, and God will bless your lives together.