“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Though these beautiful and spiritually encouraging verses from Ecclesiastes don’t refer specifically to marriage, they provide the perfect model for the love and loyalty that a marriage is built on. Facing the world as a unit rather than a lone individual means that you always have someone there to pick you up, keep you warm, and help you defend against evil and hardship. For two people to know that they can rely on each other in such a way, however, requires rock-solid loyalty. But what does loyalty really mean for a marriage?
Loyalty: More Than Just Sexual Fidelity
One of the most important components of being loyal to your spouse is remaining sexually faithful to them. However, sexual fidelity is not the be-all and end-all of what loyalty means to a marriage. True loyalty must encompass all aspects of your lives together. Your spouse needs to know that they can always count on you and that they never have to worry about whether you have their best interest at heart.
Showing Loyalty to Your Spouse
So, other than not cheating on them, how do you show your loyalty to your significant other? Here are four easy tips that you can keep in mind as you go about your everyday life:
– Make your relationship a priority
A healthy marriage will allow you to make time for your friends and focus on your work, but you also need to be willing to put your marriage first when it requires your attention.
– Don’t embarrasses or belittle your spouse
Being loyal means always looking out for your partner’s esteem, even when they are not present. Don’t ever make a joke at your spouse’s expense, and stick up for them if someone else does.
– Keep private matters private
A marriage creates a unique partnership which is exclusive to anyone else. Within this partnership your spouse should feel safe in the knowledge that private matters which shouldn’t be discussed with just anyone will be kept between the two of you.
– Seek input from your spouse on important decisions
Finally, true loyalty means including your spouse in important decisions that are going to affect your lives. Their opinions should never be brushed off or pushed aside, even if you don’t happen to see eye-to-eye.
Next to love, loyalty is the most important component of any successful marriage. In fact, it is difficult to suppose how love could ever flourish and grow without loyalty to sustain and strengthen it. Make sure that your spouse always knows that your loyalty is true and unwavering, and they will never have any reason to doubt the sincerity of your love.
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