The 10 Commandments of

Marriage
(Taken from Family Life- MDS by Linda Poitras)
1. “Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy might” – (Deuteronomy 6:5). Every part of living for God
depends on the love I have for Him. That love will express itself in obedience to
His laws and plans, plainly given in His written Word. This surely includes God’s
directives about marriage. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15;
21, 23; 15:10; 1 John 5:3).
2. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” – (2
Corinthians 6:14). Who are unbelievers? Those who believe in God are not
considered believers, because the devil himself does that much (James 2:19).
Believers are those who are obedient to the Gospel (Acts 2:38-39; 1 Corinthians
15:1-4). This commandment began with God’s Old Testament directives to His
chosen people: (Deuteronomy 7:2-4; 17:17-19; Exodus 34:12-14; Joshua 23:12-
14; 1Kings 11:2; Ezra 9:2; Psalm 106:35). God’s prophetic warning came true . . .
their intermarriage lead to idolatry, immorality, and then captivity and exile.
3. “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and
cleave to his wife” – (Mark 10:7; Matthew 19:5-6; Genesis 2:24). The
marriage relationship is between a man and a woman. Their relationship should
grow because of their intimate closeness. This involves a break in the loyalty (not
honor and respect) given to parents.
4. “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a
time, . . .” (1Corinthians 7:5). God planned that intimacy would be
uninterrupted, except for times of drawing closer to God, and by mutual
agreement of the marriage partners (1 Corinthians 7:1-5).
5. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another,. . .” (Ephesians 4:32). Forgiveness is a major part of any relationship
– especially marriage (Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25).
6. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” – (Mark 10:19; Exodus 20:14).
Adultery (all types of sexual immorality) is always condemned. The person who
commits this sin against God will carry reproach for the rest of his (or her) life
(Proverbs 6:32-33).
7. “Husbands, love your wives,” – (Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 3:19).
How are husbands supposed to love? Ephesians 5:28-33 explains this mystery in
detail. “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his
wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and
cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:”
8. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the
Lord” – (Ephesians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:18). Wives are to submit to their
own husbands, not to every man. Women who understand this principle know
that submission to a husband who truly loves her is the best protection she can
ever find. He will cherish and encourage her to live her life according to God’s
fullest plan.
9. “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth;” – (1
Corinthians 7:39; Romans 7:1-3). These verses speak clearly about the length
of marriage vows – until death alone shall part you.
10. “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put
asunder” (Matthew 19:6). God hates divorce. Both the Old and New
Testaments declare this fact (Malachi 2:11-16; Matthew 19: 8-12; Mark 10:1-12.

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