Marriage God's Wayಮಾದರಿ

Honoring the Covenant of Marriage

Imagine standing in your kitchen, ready to cook a delicious meal. You reach for a knife, but it’s dull. Frustrated, you try to cut a tomato, only to squash it. Then, you attempt to open a can with the knife—it slips and nearly cuts your hand. Later, you stir a hot pan with a metal spoon, burn your fingers, and contaminate your salad using the same unwashed cutting board for raw meat and vegetables. What happens when we misuse tools in the kitchen? The outcome is inefficiency, injury, or even illness.

In the same way, marriage is a divine tool designed by God with a specific purpose. When we misuse or dishonor marriage, the result is brokenness, pain, and consequences that affect us and those around us.

Marriage was created by God to reflect His covenantal love for His people. John Piper aptly describes it:

“Marriage. The roots are deep. The covenant is solid. The love is sweet. Life is hard. And God is good.”

God’s design for marriage is not arbitrary; it is purposeful and sacred. It exists not only for the joy and companionship of the couple but also to glorify God and reflect the relationship between Christ and His church. Hebrews 13:4 reminds us to treat this covenant with honor and purity. Just as we wouldn’t abuse kitchen tools without expecting consequences, we should not misuse or dishonor marriage without understanding its divine implications.

When we step outside of God’s design for marriage—through infidelity, lust, or a lack of commitment—we tarnish its holiness. The warning in Hebrews 13:4 is clear: God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. This judgment isn’t meant to terrify but to remind us of the gravity of our actions. Marriage is not just a relationship between two people; it is a covenant made before God.

Like using a dull knife in the kitchen, living outside of God’s design for marriage can make life harder than it needs to be. Misuse leads to damage—broken trust, shattered families, and wounded souls.

To honor marriage is to align it with God’s purpose.

Reflection Question:

• How can you better express your gratitude to both God and your spouse for this gift?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of marriage and the example of Your covenantal love. Help us to honor this sacred union by keeping it pure and aligned with Your purpose. Teach us to love selflessly, forgive freely, and reflect Your glory in our marriage. Protect us from the temptations of this world, and give us the strength to guard our hearts and homes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.