Bible Solutions for Marital Problems
What the Scriptures Teach about Establishing a Strong Marriage
Sep 28, 2009
Countless books have been written for couples with help for dealing with difficulties in marriage. The Bible teaches that God designed marriage for the good of humanity.
A passage in Genesis 2: 18 states, “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make an help meet for him.” It’s important to note that the words “help” and “meet” are not “helpmate.” This word “meet” can be understood as meaning “suitable.” So some believe that by creating a woman, God was providing a suitable companion for Adam.
Companions or Combatants
Many marriages begin with two people who seem to believe that they are suitable companions. However, as time passes and the couple get to know each other better, the same traits that endeared each to the other become grating and annoying.
Tensions build, communication falters and the two, once madly in love with each other, begin to grow apart. Some couples even begin to wonder if they didn’t make a mistake in marrying his/her partner.
God's View of Divorce
Some believe that the Bible suggests that divorce is not acceptable. One significant passage that discusses this is Malachi 2:16, where it says, “’For I hate divorce!’ says the Lord, the God of Israel.”
Many believe that there is only one reason given in the Bible that allows for divorce and that is adultery. The Bible’s teaching is clear that the innocent party is free to remarry if the other spouse committed adultery.
Jesus' thoughts on divorce are recorded in Matthew 19:9, where is says, “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” Romans 7:2 reiterates the insoluble nature of the marriage covenant in these words, “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth.”
Love in Action - The Only Answer
Far from being a life sentence, Christians believe that marriage is intended to be a blessing. So what are the keys to building a strong and happy marriage relationship?
Here are some points to consider as found in the "Love Chapter," 1 Corinthians 13, where it says that love is:
- Patient
- Kind
- Not jealous
- Not boastful
- Not proud
- Not rude
- Not demanding
- Not irritable
- Not a record keeper of wrongs
- Not glad about injustices
- Joyful when truth triumphs
Furthermore, this portion of the Bible offers additional insight into the nature of love, saying, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 13:7,8)
Assurance of God’s Help in the Marriage Relationship
Every Christian may have assurance that God is deeply concerned about the marriage relationship and will support every effort made toward reconciliation because the Bible confirms it in the following verses.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths," according to Proverbs 3: 5, 6. In other words, Christians must not trust their own understanding of a situation, but trust that the Lord will direct in the way that is right.
Christians are called to be thankful for the victory which has been made possible through Jesus in these words, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Though reconciling a marriage relationship may be difficult, Christians are reminded that all power for reconciliation is available to the believer, according to Philippians 4: 13 which says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.".
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