Marriage is a heart to heart relationship. A relationship of the heart is built on trust. All relationships are built on trust. Anything that hinders trust is a barrier to intimacy in marriage. Husbands and wives must be transparent to build trust and intimacy in marriage. Trust comes as a result of transparency in the relationship. The husband and wife must feel safe to be transparent. The more transparent we are with each other, the more vulnerable we become to our spouse. We can only be vulnerable when we trust our mate. There are four levels of transparency in marriage.
Volitional Transparency. This means that you are willing to give yourself completely to your spouse. Without this volitional element, building trust and experiencing intimacy becomes impossible. Sharing your dreams, desires and goals in life enhances intimacy in marriage. Any personal desire kept secret hinders real intimacy.
Mental Transparency. This means that you have no secrets from your mate. Secrets from your spouse builds a wall of separation. Sharing your thoughts with your partner provides transparency leading to intimacy. Then, there is trust and a meeting of hearts. However, it is more than sharing thoughts and ideas. It must provide understanding. Intimacy thrives when married couples understand each other.
Emotional Transparency. Feelings are shared freely. A husband wants to know what his wife is feeling in every situation. When she feels safe to share her deepest feelings, intimacy and trust are experienced. Criticism and judgmental statements hinder the atmosphere for emotional transparency. When your spouse knows that you will not pass judgment on feelings expressed, the safety is there to be open.
Spiritual Transparency. Let your spouse know your heart about spiritual matters. Worship together and pray together. Share your faith. Confess your doubts. Be open to God together. Confess your sins to each other and pray for one another. Realize that God's bond of love in your relationship is essential to fulfillment in marriage.
When we speak of intimacy in marriage, many people may think only of sexual intimacy. However, the sexual relationship can become void of genuine intimacy without a transparent relationship. Sexual intimacy is more than intercourse. Intimacy is about a real relationship of commitment, trust, and transparency. Genuine sexual intimacy is a result of a transparent relationship.
Volitional Transparency. This means that you are willing to give yourself completely to your spouse. Without this volitional element, building trust and experiencing intimacy becomes impossible. Sharing your dreams, desires and goals in life enhances intimacy in marriage. Any personal desire kept secret hinders real intimacy.
Mental Transparency. This means that you have no secrets from your mate. Secrets from your spouse builds a wall of separation. Sharing your thoughts with your partner provides transparency leading to intimacy. Then, there is trust and a meeting of hearts. However, it is more than sharing thoughts and ideas. It must provide understanding. Intimacy thrives when married couples understand each other.
Emotional Transparency. Feelings are shared freely. A husband wants to know what his wife is feeling in every situation. When she feels safe to share her deepest feelings, intimacy and trust are experienced. Criticism and judgmental statements hinder the atmosphere for emotional transparency. When your spouse knows that you will not pass judgment on feelings expressed, the safety is there to be open.
Spiritual Transparency. Let your spouse know your heart about spiritual matters. Worship together and pray together. Share your faith. Confess your doubts. Be open to God together. Confess your sins to each other and pray for one another. Realize that God's bond of love in your relationship is essential to fulfillment in marriage.
When we speak of intimacy in marriage, many people may think only of sexual intimacy. However, the sexual relationship can become void of genuine intimacy without a transparent relationship. Sexual intimacy is more than intercourse. Intimacy is about a real relationship of commitment, trust, and transparency. Genuine sexual intimacy is a result of a transparent relationship.
