Does Marriage Work in This Generation?

Yes, marriage can work in this generation—but it requires intentional effort, commitment, and a solid foundation. While modern society presents its challenges, marriage remains a deeply fulfilling and valuable relationship when grounded in mutual respect, love, and shared values.

So, how does marriage thrive today despite these challenges?

The Modern Challenges of Marriage

Marriage today faces unique pressures. Divorce rates have risen, and stories of failed relationships may lead people to question whether long-term commitment is realistic.

Additionally, modern culture emphasizes personal goals and independence, making it harder for couples to see marriage as a partnership. These challenges may feel overwhelming, but they don’t spell the end of marriage—they simply require a more thoughtful approach.

Even though times have changed, every generation has faced difficulties in marriage. The key is being intentional in how you build and maintain your relationship. But what kind of foundation helps marriages last?

Building a Strong Foundation for Marriage

Though cultural values may shift, the core principles that create a strong marriage remain the same. The Bible provides timeless wisdom on what makes a relationship last. Love, respect, and mutual support are the cornerstones of a lasting marriage, and applying these values can help couples build a relationship that endures, even in a fast-changing world.

Key Biblical Principles for Marriage:

• Love: A choice to be patient, kind, and forgiving.
• Respect: Valuing your partner’s thoughts, feelings, and needs.
• Support: Standing together through life’s challenges.

By focusing on these principles, couples can form a bond that is resilient. But why are these values still so important in today’s world?

Why Marriage Still Matters

Despite societal changes, marriage offers significant benefits. It provides emotional support, security, and a deep sense of belonging. Even in today’s fast-paced world, marriage offers a space where couples can grow and thrive together. The commitment to a shared life brings stability that few other relationships offer.

Benefits of Marriage:

• Companionship: Having someone to walk through life with.
• Emotional support: A partner who understands and supports you during difficult times.
• Personal growth: Marriage helps develop patience, resilience, and understanding.

While marriage is personally fulfilling, its influence also extends beyond the couple. Let’s take a look at the impact marriage has on society.

Marriage and Society

Marriage doesn’t just affect the individuals involved—it also has a significant impact on society. Strong marriages build strong families, and strong families contribute to stable communities.

In many African cultures, marriage is viewed as the foundation of family life. By prioritizing love, respect, and commitment, couples not only strengthen their own relationship but also positively influence the people around them.

As we see, marriage has a broad impact both personally and socially. But how can couples in today’s world navigate the pressures and ensure their marriage succeeds?

Making Marriage Work in Today’s World

To ensure that marriage thrives in this generation, couples need to practice communication, patience, and shared goals. Here are some practical tips to help couples succeed:

1. Communicate regularly: Discuss your thoughts, feelings, and concerns openly.
2. Set shared goals: Align your values and work towards common life objectives.
3. Practice patience and forgiveness: No marriage is perfect, but facing challenges together strengthens your bond.
4. Prioritize your relationship: Make time for each other and nurture your connection.

With these tools, marriage can thrive and offer lasting fulfillment. So, what does the future hold for marriage in this generation?

A Path Forward for Marriage

Though marriage faces modern challenges, it remains a valuable and rewarding relationship. By focusing on love, respect, and shared goals, couples can build a marriage that stands the test of time. Marriage continues to offer stability, companionship, and growth that many people seek, making it not just viable, but essential in today’s world.

If you’re ready to dive deeper into building a strong marriage, visit the other family and marriage pages on HFA for more insights and practical tips.

This page will provide biblical and practical insight for making your marriage work. Let’s start with a video that will tell us what the Bible says about upholding marital relationships.

10 Bible verses about making marriage work

Compiled by the Hope For Africa staff on September 19, 2024

Bible verses related to “principles to make marriage work” from the New King James Version (NKJV) by Relevance

• Genesis 2:24
  “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
  Explanation: While not encouraging a forsaking of our duty and respect towards parents, this verse encourages a man to have his first affections and duty towards his wife. His love for her is to exceed but not override that of his parents as they exemplify a unity of interest and goals.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
  “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.”
  Explanation: Working together as a family is helpful, profitable and priceless. You can accomplish much and support each other along the way. Isolation is a threat to progress and unity.
• Proverbs 18:22
  “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour from the Lord.”
  Explanation: A loyal, virtuous, prudent and supportive wife is a great blessing to a man. She is like a token of divine favour.
• Malachi 2:16
  “‘For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence,’ says the Lord of hosts.”
  Explanation: God hates divorce and the idle excuses made for it. Whoever divorces except for unchastity (Matthew 5:32) can’t escape the consequences of their sin.
• Matthew 19:6
  “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
  Explanation: God instituted and sanctified marriage so that those married according to His plan become one entity that shouldn’t be separated by divorce.
• 1 Corinthians 7:2
  “Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.”
  Explanation: A man or a woman should get married to preserve their purity and virtue before God rather than be involved in sexual relations outside marriage.
• Ephesians 5:25
  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.”
  Explanation: Instead of dictatorship, a husband’s response to his wife’s submission (Ephesians 5:22) should be to love her and give himself for her happiness.
• Colossians 3:14
  “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
  Explanation: Love, the essence of Christian virtues, is the glue that binds us together into a perfect union.
• Hebrews 13:4
  “Marriage is honourable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
  Explanation: A marriage that is formed after God’s purpose and original plan is a blessing and should be honoured. To defile it through extramarital affairs is to bring God’s judgement upon ourselves.
• 1 Peter 4:8
  “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.'”
  Explanation: A relationship where love reigns supreme is characterised by forgiveness rather than magnifying the faults and failings of others.

Search the StepBible.org for more references about marriage, husbands, and wives.

Let’s talk about making marriage work

Do you have any insights or questions about maintaining or working towards healthy marriages? This is the place for you! Just leave your thoughts or questions in the comments below.

Discussions are moderated. Please read our Comment Policy.