"Let us make man in our image, in our likeness. . . God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:26)
Early in the Bible, in Genesis chapter 1, God reveals his first purpose for marriage-marriages are to reflect God's image.
When we recognize and commit to this purpose, we will begin to make positive changes in our marriage relationship. Her shortcomings become much less important to us than trying to please God and reflecting Him.
On the other hand, when we criticize our wife or foster competition, we are actually reflecting the disunity of Satan and dishonoring God. Division and disappointment follow. We become judgmental of our spouse. Ultimately we become incapable of reflecting God's image.
Knowing the first purpose for marriage-to reflect God's image-can protect us from hardening our hearts toward one another and help us make our marriages more pleasing to God.