When money becomes leverage, love suffers. Today’s devotion tackles economic abuse and shows how shared stewardship restores unity (Eph. 5:21, KJV).

Simple steps, big peace: open books, shared goals, one plan. Watch and share to bless a home today. #SpeakLife #EconomicAbuse #ChristianFamily

0:00 Welcome & Purpose

0:37 Be Doers of the Word

1:35 “Oh, How I Love Jesus”

2:08 Love Proves Discipleship

2:33 Married & Miserable Series

3:01 Abuse Types Recap

3:29 What Is Economic Abuse?

3:52 Selfishness: “Me & Mine”

4:23 Controlling Family Resources

4:51 “His vs Her” Money Scenarios

6:00 Property in One Name?

6:27 Testimony: Trust & Shared Stewardship

7:28 Buying Land with Saved Funds

8:06 Title Choice: Both Names

8:50 Our Money—Not Secrecy

9:11 Choose Unity; End Abuse

9:33 Prayer for Families

Spiritual abuse happens when God’s Word is used to control instead of to love. But the Bible’s true blueprint for family is mutual care under Christ.In this message, Pastor Roderick Webster explains the heart of Ephesians 5:22–23 and 1 Corinthians 7:4–5, showing how Scripture calls husbands and wives to serve one another in reverence for Christ. God’s order is not about dominance but about divine balance—authority that protects, submission that honors, and love that heals.You’ll learn:• The difference between biblical leadership and control• How “submission” is mutual in God’s design• Why Christlike love always uplifts, never oppresses• How to heal from manipulation and fear📖 Ephesians 5:22–23; 1 Corinthians 7:4–5🙏 Watch, reflect, and share this devotion to help restore God’s love to every home.#SpiritualAbuse #ChristianMarriage #SpeakLife #PastorRoderickWebster #BibleDevotion0:00 — A Morning of PraiseGiving thanks for God’s mercy, grace, and a new day.0:36 — “Oh, How I Love Jesus”Reflecting on Frederick Whitfield’s hymn and the call to love one another.1:09 — The Family Under StrainIntroducing the “Married and Miserable” series and hidden struggles at home.2:19 — What Is Spiritual Abuse?Explaining the concept and why it’s often overlooked.3:17 — When Scripture Is Used to ControlHow some spouses twist Bible verses like Ephesians 5 and 1 Corinthians 7.4:35 — When Faith Becomes a WeaponMisusing verses to manipulate or demand submission.5:05 — Denying Spiritual FreedomForcing someone to accept or reject a religion against their conscience.5:51 — “Can Two Walk Together Except They Be Agreed?”Why unity of faith matters before marriage.6:21 — Making Others Feel Guilty Through ReligionHow guilt and pressure destroy peace in a relationship.6:53 — The Miserable Marriage ExampleIllustrating forced religion—Baptist, Jehovah’s Witness, Muslim—without agreement.7:44 — When Unity Becomes CoercionTrying to “make” a spouse follow your beliefs.8:10 — God’s True Blueprint: Mutual SubmissionEphesians 5:21—“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”9:05 — Preview: Economic AbuseNext devotion’s topic and closing encouragement.9:24 — Prayer for MarriagesA prayer for God to be the center of every relationship.

Your tongue can heal or destroy. Pastor Roderick Webster opens James 3 and Proverbs 15 to show how to stop verbal abuse, think before speaking, and practice a soft answer that turns away wrath. Simple, biblical steps to bring peace back home.

• 0:00 Welcome & setup

• 0:45 Hymn reflection: “I Love Him”

• 2:13 Series recap: Married & Miserable

• 2:42 What verbal abuse looks like

• 3:10 Public put-downs & why they backfire

• 3:58 Complaining to others

• 4:50 The damage words cause

• 5:16 Reading James 3

• 6:06 “The tongue is a fire”

• 7:06 Think before you speak

• 7:38 “A soft answer” (Prov. 15:1)

• 8:31 Wise vs foolish speech

• 9:25 Prayer & send-off

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  Discussion / Reflection

  1. Where do harsh words surface most for you—tone, timing, or topics?

  2. What’s one specific “soft answer” you can prepare for your next conflict?

  3. Who could you affirm today with one sincere sentence?

  4. Pray together over James 3:5–8 and Proverbs 15:1.