3 Games You Should Never Play With Your Spouse

Show notes

About This Episode We have a little fun at the beginning of this episode talking about our favorite family games, but only as a segue into the real topic: three very dangerous emotional and manipulative games that are all too common in marriage. The silent treatment, retaliation or revenge, and word games show up in many different ways, and we had learned to be very good at playing all of them with each other, until God got hold of our hearts. There is no place for them in a Christian marriage, and left unchecked they can cost us a healthy marriage or worse. We haven't perfected avoiding them, but we are much better at recognizing them quickly and repenting often.

About Aaron & Jennifer Smith Aaron and Jennifer Smith are the founders of Marriage After God and authors of Husband After God, Wife After God, and Marriage After God. Married since 2007 and raising six children in Bend, Oregon, they started Husband Revolution and Unveiled Wife to share what God was teaching them, not from a place of having it figured out, but as fellow travelers pointing couples back to Jesus.

In This Episode Games we love — A few of our favorite family board games before we get to the real topic. Game #1: The silent treatment — A manipulative game many couples fall into, and what Scripture says instead. Quick to hear, slow to speak — What James 1:19-20 and Ephesians 4:32 teach us about anger and kindness. Game #2: Retaliation — Why paying back hurt with hurt has no place in a Christian marriage. Living at peace — Romans 12:16-18 and choosing peace with your spouse. Game #3: Word games — Why our words carry so much weight, from Proverbs 18:21. Recognize and repent — Catching these games quickly and turning from them often.

Scripture Referenced James 1:19-20 Ephesians 4:32 Romans 12:16-18 Proverbs 18:21

Resources from This Episode Links to games we love: Catan 5th Edition · Phase 10 · Blockus · Ticket To Ride · Dominion Marriage After God for more encouragement @marriageaftergod on Instagram Shop marriage resources Check out our marriage resources! For wives: Unveiled Wife · Unveiled Wife on Facebook For husbands: Husband Revolution · Husband Revolution on Facebook Sponsors: Get our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage! Full show notes and blog post

If this conversation encouraged you, please share it with a couple you love, and subscribe wherever you listen. Follow us on Instagram: Marriage After God · Unveiled Wife · Husband Revolution Want to go deeper? Become a patron and help us keep creating resources for marriages that pursue God together. Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2026

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