Marriage trends around the world are very complex. In many countries, adults are choosing not to marry. Cohabitation is on the rise, polygamy is still practiced, and abandonment and divorces are easy solutions for many. Sadly, some cultures continue to allow parents to force girls into marriages and permit older husbands to easily divorce these young brides who have no rights.

The ugliness of sexual immorality, pornography, greed, alcohol abuse, selfishness, abandonment, physical and verbal abuse and other harmful behaviours create many barriers to strong, healthy marriages. However, God’s view on marriage has not changed since creation: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24).

While sin has destroyed the purity of marriage, God continues to work in and through us to help build marriages that honour him. A strong commitment to God and a humble attitude of dependence on the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives can help strengthen marriage relationships so they honour God.