Practical ways to live out your faith unequal

Practical ways to live out your faith before your unbelieving spouse

First I want to say, if you came to Christ after marrying as both were unbelievers, theres hope for you. If you married an unbeliever while you were a believer, as discussed here, pray God will have you overflow as a godly example before your husband in the hope that God will save him too. 

Practical ideas in no particular order:

1. Read through the books and resources here. Gleen ideas from it and put them into permanent action daily. 

2. When you feel wronged by him, remember Jesus was wronged in the greatest way and you can have a right mindset and forgiving loving response and behavior.

And honestly you can start by looking at how big an issue it is, out of 1 to 5 if it isnt a 5, and doesnt violate the law or your faith...just let him lead and just go with it. 

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Rom 12:18

3. Bridle your tongue and thoughts and while you can seek godly counsel from mature born again believers, you should not gossip or be bitter and whine about the situation. Instead let it cause you to immediately pray (in your mind, and in your daily prayers), and have it drive you to the Word and submission to what God says on the matter. You can beyond that get helps here and here and here

4. Plan your morning and evening well so he has no conplaints about you spending time in Scripture tlrather than household duties and his needs. Have a visual time where he sees you reading Scripture. Here is a good start plan, and keep a prayer jounal (cautiously writing when it is things about him, but with the purpose of glorifying God and seeking God's help esp in times where he wont communicate nor have a decent convo w you), and that way if he reads thru it, it wont matter. It is filled w love and concern for him. 

5.  Live as a living sacrifice to the Lord as an acceptable service to Him and Do unto others and in all that you do as to the Lord. And it isnt hard, as Scripture tells us to do this anyway. 

Do your best to go above and beyond for your spouse, and let your light shine in these ways, so he praises God for your good work and he realizes the treasure your spouse has in you. This can plant seeds to lead him to Christ. 

6. When you are wrong, admit it. If you messed up in how you said or behaved or did somethung, admit it and ask his forgiveness. And determine to never do that again. Seek God's help to kerp you from doing that and conquer it ince and for all. That can also be a witness to him. But do it and turn from it so he sees that well. 

7.  When he will be there... Have some Christian(s) friend come over with the purpose of talking (to them in his ear shot) about

* the gospel. 

*On another occassion discuss what you learned about the reliability of scripture, short summary of the flaws of other religions, (and quickly note that they are works based but Christianity is grace based). 

*On another occassion do the same but talk about what you learned reading the book of the really smart guy who left islam for Christ and note important points that you know or think might matter to him to her. It is planting seeds. 

*On another occassion have someone come over who is a teen at church, maybe 18 or 20, who seems to be on the verge of coming to Christ. Bring her believing parent over too and share the gospel (needGod.com and see this tip sheet) and ask her why anything would stop her from coming to Jesus today. And if needs a nudge, note That like a parachute it dies no good if we believe it exists and is a life saver, we have to recieve it and put it on, because any moment we need will jump out that door and thevonly thing that will save us is the trust in the parachute which we put on. Same with Jesus. 

There is no guarantee your spouse will be saved, but rejoice if he does turn to Jesus!

 

I married someone I thought was a Christian. You will quickly learn most who profess Christ are not actually Christian. They like the idea of some of it but never were converted by God. For me I found out 3 yrs into my marriahe and while he used to go to chyrch with me for around 20 yrs, he found ways (excuses) around it eventully, and while he has heard the gospel, been in church when young, was fine with church activities and even my publishing a tract and me doing outreach, he hasnt seen that he is a false convert. I prayed and prayed for 14 yrs after I realized his unsaved state, and prayed and prayed, but it has been 25 yrs, and he still hasnt got saved. And my getting incurable cancer has not changed him at all. He is still an angry, revengeful, bitter, yeller and judgmental person who needs Christ. Oh what a life we could have together at home, imn marriage, and in serving the Lord and local ministry of the gospel and related things. But unless God causes him to be born again, to be transformed, to have the indwelling Holy Spirit, he will remain dead in his sins and not have eternal life [now and for eternity] nor a fellowship with and personal relationship with God. So do not get discouraged or bitter over it if he doesnt get saved...  you... you keep on keeping on and follow your Lord. Let nothing steal your joy of your salvation. Just do your best to be a godly witness and example in the eyes and ears of others. 

Bonus: 

Verses

John 17:17  [in prayer to the Father] 

"Jesus said “Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.”"

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32)

The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:24-26) 

“but sanctify Christ as Lord (Master) in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15)

James 1:2-4 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 

Colossians 3:23-24

In whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ.

Matt. 5:16 

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven

 Proverbs 18:22 

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from Yahweh

Rom 12:18

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.