Marriage covenants are vows that last for the lifetime of the parties entering into the marriage. They are meant to be permanent, and sin is always to blame when a marriage ends in divorce. Breaking a marriage covenant allows for the possibility that the innocent spouse could formally divorce the sinning spouse. The Bible teaches that marriage is a covenant, and it is a binding agreement with blessings when kept and curses when broken.
The Hebrew word for “oath” is “shevah,” meaning “to seven oneself.” The covenant anticipates life experiences where marriage becomes deeper, more absorbing, and pulls more out of us than we ever anticipated. When we approach marriage as a covenant, we are truly making a lifelong commitment, a joining and binding contract that cannot be broken.
The Bible has two covenants: an “inner” and an “outer” covenant. The inner covenant is the real covenant, while the outer one has only the form of a covenant, not its substance. To dissolve the marriage is to break the covenant, to break an oath.
A broken marriage can be ended if the vows are broken. The other party can choose to keep trying but they are permitted to declare that the covenant is ended. Adultery breaks the terms of the marriage covenant between a husband and wife, but an act of adultery does not remove the covenant. If the marriage covenant is broken, the Bible allows for divorce.
Marriage break-up is the worst type of covenant breaking as it puts a curse on future generations and weakens the whole structure of marriage. However, the married couple does have the option to repair the issues leading up to the adultery and form a new marriage.
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What makes a covenant invalid?
Covenants can be unenforceable if they expire, if there is a history of violations, or if there is no individual or group benefiting from them. Otherwise, they are generally enforceable. You could face legal action if you ignore them. The easiest way to avoid a restrictive covenant is to ignore it. Covenants can become unenforceable if they expire, if they are broken, or if there is no one benefiting from them. Make sure the covenant is void before violating it. You could be sued. One example of an unenforceable covenant is one that restricts a property to a certain race. Such covenants were common in the early 20th century. They prevented minorities from moving into white neighborhoods. Source: McKenzie. In 1948, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that discriminatory deed restrictions were unconstitutional in the case of Shelley v. Kraemer. Deed restrictions are difficult to change, so these discriminatory covenants are still in place in many deeds. In 2009, the NAACP sued a Charlotte, N.C. subdivision for racially discriminatory language in its deed restrictions. Shayne. The subdivision paid the NAACP $17,500. Rose. In some cases, covenants have an expiration date. The deed or the municipal government will tell you when the covenant expires. If a covenant is about to expire, a property owner can break it without worrying about legal consequences. Rossi, et al.
What is marital failure?
Marital failure is when a husband and wife can’t live together. It is also called a divorce.
Infidelity/unfaithfulness: this is when a husband or wife has an affair. Childlessness: this is when a couple cannot have children. Intolerance: a husband and a wife come from different backgrounds. Each has their own habits that the other may not like. Financial challenges can make couples less patient and tolerant. Disrespect and family interference can also lead to marriage failures.
- Destruction of interfamily unity
- Unhappiness between the couple
Step I: Teacher revises previous lesson with pupils.
Can a broken marriage covenant be restored?
When you married, you made a covenant. A covenant is a sacred promise made with God. God is with you, so you can pray for your marriage to be restored. Even if it’s too late. Even if your spouse has left. God can do anything. If you believe God created heaven and earth, He can save your marriage. During this difficult time, many organizations and churches will encourage you to move on. But some remember their wedding vows and hear God calling them to a different path. There is another way to stay married, and it takes courage. God will heal you during your stand. He will also work in your spouse.
Is marriage a lifetime covenant?
A marriage is a lifelong commitment. Scripture says we must keep our promises. A marriage only ends when one partner dies or if the other partner breaks their vows.
A covenantal commitment guides how we think about adultery. In his book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis says that the worst sin in marriage is not lust, but lying. Adultery is not about sex. It is about breaking your promise to forsake all others and cling only to your covenantal partner.
Second, marriage as a covenant means this commitment should hold marriages together, even when nothing else does. Christian marriages can last because of the couple’s commitment to Jesus Christ. If other reasons don’t keep a marriage together, a Christian’s vows can. Psalm 15:4 says a godly person keeps their promises even when it hurts. Real men and women keep their promises.
What are the disadvantages of a covenant marriage?
The biggest problem with a covenant marriage is that it’s hard to get divorced. “This is a contract you have to keep,” he said.
U.S.; World; Business; Arts; Lifestyle; Opinion; Audio; Games; Cooking; Wirecutter; The Athletic; Preview view while we check your access. When we have access, the full article will load. A marriage contract that makes divorce hard is a way for some couples to protect their partnerships. Some experts say this type of union has both good and bad points.
Why do couples divorce after 40 years of marriage?
The Gores say they’ve grown apart. Even if something else happened, money, infidelity, poor communication, change in priorities, lack of commitment, addictions, and physical, emotional, or sexual abuse are common reasons for divorce. Even if you and your spouse are well-adjusted and care about each other, marriage is hard work. If we don’t work on our relationship, it will decay. Fast. A study published in the September 1999 issue of The Journal of Developmental Psychology found that over 10 years, the quality of marriages declined. The study found that the first four years are the worst for marriage satisfaction. Then, at years 8, 9, and 10, things get worse. This is what we call the “seven-year itch.”
What is the #1 cause of divorce?
Why people are getting divorced in the United States. 42. A recent survey found that lack of commitment is the main reason for divorce. Here are the reasons and their percentages:
- Lack of commitment 73%
- Argue too much 56%
- Infidelity 55%
- Married too young 46%
- Unrealistic expectations 45%
- Lack of equality in the relationship 44%
- Lack of preparation for marriage 41%
- Domestic Violence or Abuse 25%
(Respondents often cited more than one reason, so the percentages add up to more than 100 percent)
What Makes People More or Less Likely to Divorce? Your age. 43. 48% of those who marry before 18 are likely to divorce within 10 years, compared to 25% of those who marry after 25.
Why is the covenant of marriage unbreakable?
A marriage is an unbreakable bond because it reflects and symbolizes the covenant between God and His church. If your spouse doesn’t believe in God, that’s not a reason to divorce. You should live with them, treat them kindly, and pray for them to believe.I Corinthians 7:12, 13 says that a Christian with an unbelieving spouse should not divorce or leave the unbeliever. I Peter 3:1, 2 says that a Christian wife should live submissively with her unbelieving husband. She may hope that God will use her holy behavior to convert the man. Submission to an unbelieving husband and living with an unbelieving wife do not mean the believer leaves the true church, denies sound doctrine, or commits wicked deeds to please the unbeliever and maintain the marriage. In a mixed marriage, the Christian must obey God, not man (Acts 5:29).
Love and submission. Faithfulness in marriage means more than just living together, not divorcing, and not committing adultery. Ephesians 5:22-33 says that husbands should love their wives and wives should respect their husbands. The passage shows how Christ and the church, the covenant of grace, should act. “The church is subject to Christ… as Christ also loved the church” (vv. 24, 25).
Is a marriage covenant conditional?
A marriage is a covenant, but it’s conditional. Both parties must meet basic standards. God made 7 covenants: 2 were conditional, 5 were unconditional.
How a marriage covenant is broken?
The marriage covenant is broken when one partner stops being faithful in bed. It’s not the divorce that breaks the covenant, but the immorality.
Can God forgive a broken covenant?
MEDITATION & REFLECTION. The Israelites were so rebellious that they angered God. Moses broke the two tablets in anger, symbolizing the end of the covenant. Even in this hopeless situation, God’s grace and faithfulness is extended to them. He lets them start over with two new tablets. I love God more and more each day. His love covers all my sins, no matter how terrible. He never gives up on me, even though I fail. He will keep restoring and renewing our covenant. His love can also completely restore what was broken. I am so moved by this love. APPLICATION I’ve been more aware of God’s commands and more disciplined about living my faith. I help my son memorize Bible verses, pray more, and stop myself from saying negative things. I’ve seen results from obeying God. As I become more obedient and disciplined, I never forget why I obey. I pray my heart will always be filled with God’s love. That it would be the start of all my obedience and godly intentions. I pray that I always recognize and appreciate what God has done for me. My sinful heart can make even my good actions sinful in God’s eyes. Any good thing I do can turn bad. I do it to feel good and look good. Even if I fail, I pray that I will remain confident in the Lord, who will forgive me and restore me.
📹 Covenant Love // Standing for Marriage // Sheila Ramos Testimony
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My husband filed for divorce 8 months ago. Me and my daugther pray every day to God! Please, pray for us..there is another woman involved and he doesn’t want us. He doesn’t want his family. He wants to live outside God and His love and be with this woman. I really don’t know what to do… Nearly 2 years I prayed, fasted, believed and nothing changed. I still believe! I know that God loves him and will do the impossible to bring him back! Please, pray for my family! I am encouraged by Sheila’ s message. ❤
I have taken a break from standing for my marriage and focusing on my healing. I was so focused on God restoring my marriage and family that it became an obsession and distraction from my present reality. I am now understanding that God can be my provider and husband for this season in my life. I had to take a break and be with God. It hasn’t been easy especially when my former husband has moved on. But I know God has something wonderful planned for me. I have to trust the process and loneliness as I finally heal and accept the reality
I love this woman so much. I used to hope we could be friends one day, and then The Lord moved us close to them and now I get to call her sister. I never get tired of hearing her share her testimony and her heart. Their testimony of redemption & restoration is one of my favorites. I too am so grateful that I never gave up on my own marriage, which then God also blessed us with 2 more kiddos.
To clarify, in the case of abusive marriages–they are not meant to be restored until the abuser repents and find true healing and changes his or her behavior. God CAN restore people and relationships. But it takes the compliance of two souls to come together renewed. My marriage ended in divorce…and I am so thankful God rescued me. Stay vigilant. Some marriages, he rescues. Sometimes, He must rescue the people in the marriages.
Awesome testimony. I’ve been 10+ years divorced. I too had a word from God that He would restore. Eventually I gave up on it & became bitter. In 2018 He started speaking to me about the restoration. It took me a few years to say yes due to fear & hurt. 3 years ago due to circumstances in her life my ex wife moved back in. I thought it was gonna be a one & done. These 3 years have been painful & glorious. Painful cause I had to surrender completely to God, allow Him to change me. Glorious cause I’ve gotten yo know Him in ways i didn’t before. He has not stopped confirming His plan, desire to restore my marriage. We’re not fully restored YET! but I see the changes & His hand at work. To God be the glory.
Have heard Sheila tell this story numerous times but this felt like I was hearing it for the first time. Often people want to forget the past because it hurts too much to recall but this is what it looks and sounds like to recall a painful memory from a redemptive and repentant heart. God has made beauty from ashes.
I been waiting for two years… I have to just be with God and can’t worry if he is coming back or not… I’m in love with God and that’s all I can hold onto- and if the husband comes to God or not I will continue just to follow God- and pray from afar- I can’t make him go to God… but I will remain faithful to God and continue this journey ❤
My story is reversed where my wife wants divorce, I’m asking that the body of Christ intercede on my behalf. Everything happens for a reason and I’m believing God will restore my marriage as well. There is literally nothing that I can do. I’m standing on his word, it has to be him only. And that’s what I prefer
After coming outside to stare at the stars and have my secret place with God, I cried on the floor thinking about my distorted sense of love. I had just finished writing love at first sight on the story of how i met my spouse on my wedding website and although God gave me the promise told me this is my God given husband yet within days everything was called off the relationship the wedding and I was left homeless and distraught. Just here having my moment with God and in my head I went to look for a testimony on love and this article has given me so much hope. I’m only 24 years old I went through so much trauma and so has my boyfriend since children. But I have everything God has told me non stop on him being the one, from the way we met which was organic and prophetic to it all. God always known I longed for love and a family as a little girl and so has he. The first thing since God called on me was the song by summer walker “you don’t know what love is if you don’t put up a fighttt” and while I’m on the floor crying outside looking at the stats that’s that’s I tell God this is how you must feel about me. Chasing me, disappointed in me yet never giving up on me. I won’t give up then I run into this article. God is so good. I’m hurting but Jesus is healing my heart heart this hurt in the sweetest way.
In 2005 the morning after my first husband passed away, I did the exact same thing. I was at my parents house sitting at the kitchen table early the next morning. I said God i don’t understand this. You’re going to have to show me how to get through this. I laid my Bible down and let it open. Isaiah 54:1-8 😭😭😭 He’s a good good Father. I knew I’d be just fine from that moment forward 🙌🏽 thank you for your beautiful testimony ❤
Thank you so much for your beautiful words, your honesty, your openness and vulnerability… thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story with us.. thank you also, for showing me our Lord in a new way.. as someone Who cares personally and as a husband… ❤ I so thank you… May the Lord bless you… I thank you for you and your family… may He bless you even more ❤❤❤❤
Thanks 4 sharing this gives me courage. Domestic violence is my story.,i had 2 go 2 a safe place and am trying 2 heal physically and emotionally. Things have 2 dramatically change before it’ll be safe 4 me 2 go back. No family or church..i didn’t want to divide friendships so i walked away without telling them. God has done great things,He walks with me. I would appreciate prayer. -Standing for our marriage and pleading 4 my husband’s salvation in prayer
Another very amazing verse is Hosea 3:16: “And it shall be, in that day,” says YHWH, “You will call Me ‘My Ishi (husband),’ and no longer call me ‘My baali (master). The Bride of Christ – and each of us – MUST move from just serving Him as Lord to loving Him with all our heart & being in faithful marriage covenant with Him. …. And He also IS Husband personally to me. And there is something in my heart that cannot be filled by anyone except for Him. These verses are also there for women for whom their husband has NOT loved their wife as he ought. God ALWAYS meets the need. That includes the need of a woman’s heart for gentleness, attention, love, even humor! And His faithfulness and absolute commitment after others have failed us, blows my mind.
Oh God. This. A husband is loving and safety and supporting and he will dance. I wanted to dance with my husband for years. Ive been chasing love for so long. Forcing love by trying to be all the love for everyone but I never saw what I deserved, or what I was sacrificing. I was always strong enough, I thought. God doesn’t hurt me. God helps me know how to talk to my boys and I can do no wrong. He holds me when I cry. He looks for me to just show me a smile. I know how many times god tried to show me that I was leaving truth for a lie and I chose the lie. I wasn’t forced. I chose it. And in what can turn into a painful, lonely grief the moment I turn from Him, I have to realize that just because my husband doesn’t want me, doesn’t mean God won’t pick me up and carry me through this in unconditional love.
We need to pray for the salvation of every person on the planet. God is willing for none to perish. We also need to pray that God will speed up the saintification of His children and that we all will be walking out our callings. That God will turn us into a spiritual army and that we all will reach a new level in Him.
This is so impactful during this season in my life me and my wife are going through marriage problems which I’ve had a big hand in but I trust God he told me months ago he is going to restore my marriage I just have to trust him lean on him surrender to him I know it’ll all be okay but honesty the love he gives us the unending forgiveness it’s something that is unexplainable but I love my lord so much
You literally brought tears to my eyes when you said at 5:20 that God told you that you needed to hold on tight to Him and trust Him. I am standing for my marriage and those words have also come to me. God also told me that I needed to forgive and to love my wife unconditionally. I have not done a good job and I keep intervening, but my ways are not working. It’s time for me to let God take control and for me to trust in Him, once and for all. Thank you for this article! May God continue to bless your lives.
Such a beautiful Testimony…of being a stander… Yes our Lord teaches us first to love him…. He moulds us to love him first.. I too am a single mother currently…but not divorced. I don’t even want to use the word separated but it is what it seems as my husband moved out in May..this year.. And I know I’m going to listen…and listen.. and listen… May all spouses have this encounter with Jesus.. The Damascus experience..just like Saul did and was transformed to Paul
Shiela Thank you so much for sharing this. I couldn’t hold my tears back. I use to be able to spend deep intimate time with The Lord daily and i miss that so much. I would appreciate your prayers for The Lord to give me time and energy to prepare for my husband’s return. I’m at my wits end and exhausted with having to work 2 jobs, seeing no way out yet with a better job so I can come back to that intimate place with my Lord and also prepare for my husband’s return.
This is the first time of seeing and listening to this testimony. I am in awe of God’s Love upon both of you. This is incredible and I will bless you both, these powerful testimonies is what’s needed right now!!! There is so much hopelessness in this world but God!!! He is the Author of HOPE!!! THANK YOU BOTH🎉❤
I never get tired of hearing each of you tell your story….I think that’s what I have loved most abt being with you since the BTG days….it’s so unique to hear both sides and perspectives from then and now…of what is such a beautiful love story but even more abt remembering to lean not to your own understanding…that when God gives you a promise…he keeps it….. Both of you have helped heal my heart and trust God more. I am forever grateful that you are here continuing to share your journey. ❤🙏
My long God given word thats how i received it too. A very broken moment after a failure in what i thought would materialise into a beautiful marriage. I am still holding on got emotional when i heard you say it out because just 2 hours back during my lunch i still went to my house and opened it read it out. I am in a beautiful season still single but i see a huge progress where i had thought was the end of me. Thank you for blessing me
I will be supporting monthly starting next week i know this is a calling for me in one day you all have given me so much hope by reminding and helping me to continue to sta d on Gods promises whrn everyone atound me is staying walk away What yall are doing is giving hope and restoring faith i was feeling so broken ut niw im laughing and when my husband calls i will tell him all about what i found today
Here’s one for a testimony: September 8th 2014: There was a huge storm in Phoenix AZ. I made a specific playlist called “Restoration”. I was praying for a specific woman at the time, and I had prayed a prayer to the effect of “Whatever good thing you want to give me, I don’t care how badly it hurts, I’ll accept it” (Not quite what I said but, text communication is difficult here). Nearly a decade later I am still single, but, I am alive. Today its raining hard in phoenix, and my swale (ditch on contour) is going to be full. The tree I planted to remember my uncle is being watered not by me, but by the One who makes the rain. September 8th is a huge day for me personally for many other reasons but most of them good, some of them tragic. God isn’t just “this or that or something that can be defined in a book” God is the ALL and Christ is the Spirit that was placed on Jesus (Emmanuel, God with us). There is hope for those of us still struggling ‘alone’, because we are never truly alone. For my Atheist friends reading this or Hindu or whichever spiritual expression you follow or don’t follow… How far down do you want to go? Hydrogen? Quarks? The electromagnetic spectrum? I don’t mind a discussion but let us be respectful of this comments section specifically, because for me, after God, this is THE most important issue in the world today.
Thank you shiela 🙏❤I’m so depressed .lonely I feel so so so down… God sent me this vide via youtube 🙏God is good Al the time🙏my husband is divorcing me I have 3 kids ..I know that he have another woman …he want a divorce I have no choice just to accept it.. I have no options…thank you for this inspiring story 🙏may the lord touch my husband heart stop the divorce and restore my marriage in Jesus name Amen🙏
I needed to hear this, my wife left with our kids 5 months ago and told me yesterday that she wanted a divorce. I felt my whole world shatter into pieces and I prayed and fasted, over and over again and today I heard God tell me that I used to seek him the same way to have a closer relationship with him and I completely stopped and that my relationship with him was no longer top priority and my marital problems, finances, and other things were. He told me that he would restore my marriage months ago and I’ve been so angry because it hasn’t happened yet. But this article has brought me so much joy and made me realize that Jesus allowed this to happen so I could rebuild my relationship with him. Thanks for sharing!
When I asked God about my marrige will i get a divorce he answerd me with Isaiah 62. But first thing that I saw was verse “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.” He never spoke to me any other way just this. Does this say that God will be my husband or he will restore my marrige?
I come to you all asking for prayer right now. Long story short, my husband of 14 years was caught having an affair and he has made some poor financial choices. I first sought guidance and prayer from my pastors at our church. He refused counseling of any sort and refused to meet with the pastors despite them asking us to come in. I begged and pleaded for him to go to counseling and during this time he responded with negativity and cruel words saying he has not loved me in years, was not attracted to me in any way, etc. He was denying the cheating and still does to this day. I sought legal counsel and after some time filed for divorce to protect the assets and because he was spiraling out of control. I cried and cried and never felt at peace filing for divorce and always felt like it was not what God wanted. But I told myself and everyone that I would drop the divorce should he show any remorse or signs he wanted to reconcile. Meanwhile I have been in so much pain emotionally and have been praying to God endlessly for our marriage restoration, for God to speak to him, for God to change me in any way that was not in align to his Word and will for my life, and for God to bring our family back together even closer and stronger than before. The last 2 weeks, God has been speaking to me. I keep hearing words of “forgiveness”, “grace”, and “do not lose faith”. I have come to the point of realizing that I do not care what sins he has committed, I just want him to repent and come back.
Your story is so encouraging. I am so so grateful for your website and testimonies. 🥲 There are so many confirmations of how God has ministered to me similarly and with similar scriptures. It’s so encouraging, because I know it’s the same God who is doing the same work in me. The greatest gift of this pain, is knowing Him as our Husband. 🤍 indeed, He is faithful to His promises. He is not man that He should lie. Every time I feel like giving up, God brings your testimonies to me. There is purpose behind your pain.❤