Obedience Over Sacrifice in Marriage

It’s easy to overcompensate with sacrifice when we lack obedience. We throw in grand gestures, acts of service, and even personal suffering to make up for what simple obedience would have accomplished. But the Bible reminds us:

“To obey is better than sacrifice.” – 1 Samuel 15:22

This applies deeply to marriage. Obedience in marriage isn’t just about following rules; it’s about aligning with God’s design for love, unity, and partnership.

What Are We to Obey in Marriage?

As a couple, we are to obey God’s blueprint for marriage:

1. Love and Respect – Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25). Wives, respect your husbands (Ephesians 5:33).
2. Unity – “What God has joined together, let no one separate” (Mark 10:9). Agreement strengthens the marriage (Amos 3:3).
3. Faithfulness – Not just in action but in heart (Matthew 5:28).
4. Forgiveness – Just as Christ forgave us (Colossians 3:13).
5. Submission to God – A marriage centered on Christ is unshakable (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

The Sacrifices We Offer Instead

When we struggle with obedience, we try to compensate with sacrifices:

• Instead of loving sacrificially, we provide financial security or gifts.
• Instead of respect, we serve tirelessly yet resentfully.
• Instead of open communication, we offer silence to “keep the peace.”
• Instead of forgiveness, we bury hurts and pretend they don’t exist.
• Instead of prioritizing our spouse, we pour everything into work, ministry, serving in church, or parenting as an escape.

These sacrifices might look noble, but they don’t replace the simple obedience that leads to true intimacy and oneness.

Choosing Obedience Over Sacrifice

Sacrifice in and of itself isn’t wrong—even Jesus Himself sacrificed for us. But His sacrifice was rooted in obedience (Philippians 2:8). The power in our marriage isn’t in what we “give up” but in what we align with—God’s will.

What if, instead of overcompensating, we simply obey?

What if we love without withholding?
What if we respect without conditions?
What if we communicate instead of avoiding?
What if we forgive as we have been forgiven?

Marriage flourishes not because of how much we sacrifice, but because of how much we obey.

Which sacrifices have I been offering in place of obedience? 🤔🤔🤔

#BeBetter #LoveBetter #DoBetter #MarriageWorks