Key Verse: Verse 5 – “And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.”
Key Words: hardness of your heart
In Mark chapter 10, God’s Word lays out for us some practical principles in regard to marriage.
First of all, marriage is to be a man and a woman (verse 6). Homosexuality is never condoned by God and is labeled as perversion in Romans 1:26-28.
Secondly, if marriage is to be a success, in-laws (verse 7) must maintain a proper place. The in-laws’ continual interference can be a detriment to a successful marriage.
Thirdly, the married couple is no longer two individual people, but they are one flesh (verse 8). Just as you would never hurt yourself, you should never hurt your mate.
Fourthly, no one should come between the married couple (verse 9).
Fifthly, marriage is a lifetime commitment (verses 11-12). But in this day of sexual freedom and promiscuity, we see the institution of marriage decaying right before our eyes.
Historian Carle Zimmerman, in his 1947 book, Family and Civilization, recorded his keen observations as he compared the disintegration of various cultures with the parallel decline of family life in those cultures. Eight specific patterns of domestic behavior typified the downward spiral of each culture.
The eight patterns are as follows:
Marriage loses its sacredness.
The traditional meaning of the marriage ceremony is lost.
Feminist movements abound.
Increased public disrespect for parents is apparent.
Promiscuity - girls began to lead the way in sexual perversion.
Refusal of married couples to accept their family responsibility.
Acceptance of adultery.
Increase of sex-related crimes.
Need I remind you that this was written in 1947? Yet it describes today’s America to a tee. I encourage you - stay close to God and to your spouse.
What to do:
✞ Keep a steady relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and daily activities.
