The Sanctity of Marriage

Marriage is holy because it was instituted by God and is regulated by His commandments. After the fall of mankind, marriage, like everything else became defiled. However, this did not lower God's requirement that marriage is holy and to be kept holy. In the following passages we will examine how marriage is holy and to be kept holy by God's people.

God instituted marriage before the fall of mankind therefore the marriage relationship was holy. In that context, God gave instructions as to how the marriage relationship was to be kept holy, Genesis 2:18-25.

After the fall of mankind God required His people to maintain marriage in a state of holiness by following the guidelines which He established. These guidelines are listed below:

1. God's people are not to marry non-believers

a. Exodus 34:11-16

b. Deuteronomy 7:1-4

c. 1 Corinthians 7:39

d. 2 Corinthians 6:14

I all these passages it is clear that believers are not to marry non-believers. The 2 Corinthians 6:14 passage is implied since it is teaching that believers are not to have fellowship with non-believers or enter into any kind of covenant relationship with them. Marriage is a covenant relationship between a man and woman and it is also the closest fellowship a man and a woman will have with each other.

2. The couple is to be separated by death only, Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:6

3. Only one husband/wofe, 1 Corinthians 7:2

4. Honorable before the Lord, Hebrews 13:4

5. Husband loves the wife, Ephpesians 5:25

6. Wives submit to their own husbands, Ephesians 5:22

7. Heirs otgether of the grace of life, 1 Peter 3:7

Preserving Marriage

1. Guard your own heart, Matthew 5:28

2. Avoid developing a hard heart, Matthew 19:3-8

3. Forgiving one another, Ephesians 4:32

Living in a fallen world that is cursed by God does not negate the responsibility we as believers have in keeping the holiness of marriage. As we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh and our marriages will be holy before the Lord.