How Can We Grow in Our Walk with Jesus as a Married Couple? - Crosswalk Couples Devotional - July 7

How Can We Grow in Our Walk with Jesus as a Married Couple?
By Vivian Bricker

“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Once we become married, our priorities change. Our priority is no longer our parents or our siblings. Instead, our priority becomes our spouse. However, God is always our top priority, whether we are married or not. In this way, we see our priorities to be God first and our spouse second. When we follow our priorities, we will be able to serve God, grow in our relationship with Him, and deepen our marriage.

Part of deepening our marriage is growing in our walk with Jesus together as husband and wife. God created the institution of marriage, and as believers, we need to follow His teachings. Marriage is not some sort of endgame, nor does it mean we are not called to serve Jesus anymore. Rather, we can actually serve Jesus better as a married couple. While many people might argue with this, if Jesus has brought two people together, then He knows they will serve even better in His Kingdom as a team.

The Bible tells us that two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9). God wants married couples to serve in His Kingdom work and to grow in their relationship with Him. How can a married couple do this if they are not spending any time together? Furthermore, how can a married couple do this if their priorities are not in the right places? This is why we need to ensure we spend quality time with our spouses, lift them up in prayer, and set our priorities in line with our hearts.

Growing in our relationship with Jesus will take time, yet it is important. Our personal relationship with Jesus is personal; however, we also need to work on growing in our Christian walk with our spouse. From the moment we marry our spouse, we become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). Being one spouse means we need to be united in love, compassion, and devotion to the Lord.

I have seen far too many married couples abandon their growth in the Lord after they marry because they claim they simply don't have enough time. While I understand married life changes some things, it should not change a couple’s devotion to the Lord. Truth be told, they should be growing in their relationship with Jesus even more after getting married. They have been blessed with a wonderful spouse from the Lord; therefore, there is no reason not to lift Jesus up in praise.

Moreover, marriage brings many blessings but also many hardships. Once we face hardships, we do not need to turn away from the Lord. Instead, we need to turn to Him and ask for His help with any marital issues we are facing. Marriage can be challenging because it requires us to put the other person above ourselves. This alone can help us grow in our walk with the Lord as married couples.

Through marriage, we learn about sacrificial love. Just as Jesus gave Himself up for us all, we have to give up our own wants and desires for our spouse. Part of marriage is placing our spouse above ourselves, which teaches us to follow Jesus in our daily lives.

We can also grow in our walk with Jesus by reading our Bible together, doing Bible studies together, and praying for each other. Growing in our relationship with Jesus as married couples will also be done through serving in a church. There are numerous areas for growth in our relationship with Jesus as a married couple, and we need to take advantage of these opportunities.

Galatians 2:20 tells us the vital truth that we live by faith in the Son of God, who gave Himself up for us. It is no longer we who live, but Jesus who lives in us. This is applicable to all believers, including married couples. The life we live now is for Jesus, and our purpose is to bring Him glory. As a united team, we can grow in our relationship with Jesus and place Him at the center of our lives.

Rather than living for ourselves, we need to live for Jesus. Once we can do this, we will see our entire lives improve, including our married life. Jesus wants us to grow in our relationship with Him throughout our lives. All believers' lives are meant to serve Him and grow in Him, whether they are married or not. Married couples have the bonus blessing of doing life and Kingdom work with their better half.

“Dear Jesus, please help my spouse and me to grow in our walk with You. I don’t want to be stagnant in my faith, nor does my spouse. Help us to place You as the priority in our lives and to take time to read the Bible, obey You, and pray to You. Even when days are busy, help us to always turn to You and grow in our relationship with You. I praise You, and I thank You, Amen.”

Photo Credit:©GettyImages/Halfpoint

Vivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.

Related Resource: Why Couples Drift and How to Reverse It

What happens when a marriage starts drifting apart — and one or both spouses wonder if it’s even possible to reconnect? If you’ve ever felt discouraged, lonely, unseen, or unsure whether your marriage can recover, this conversation offers practical wisdom and genuine hope. 

Like what you hear? Be sure to follow I Wish You Could Hear This on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!