Are Marriages Getting Better or Worse?

What do you think, are marriages getting better or worse since the Apostle Paul wrote Ephesians chapter 5 in the first century? 

Have you ever wondered what marriage was like when Paul wrote the classic letter to the Ephesian believers? How did "wives, submit to your own husband" and "husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church" sound to the women and men in Ephesus?

You may be experiencing some pain from your family system right now. If you are, please do not let that control your life, depress you, or make you a victim. Instead, consider the hope that God provides in

Exodus 20:6 (NKJV)—…but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

God’s Statement of the Future for Relationships

God has provided clear direction for us to follow to restore hope in relationships and has given a precise forecast of where relationships will go in the future if people do not heed His guidance.

Carl Rogers, a renowned psychologist, has stated, “It would take a bolder man than I to predict what will emerge (for relationships and marriage).” That is a proper statement for any human trusting in their knowledge, because the future cannot be seen. It is interesting, though, to note that he said this, considering he believes people are inherently good and seek to make things better.

If you trust God, there is no need to predict the future, because God tells us what to expect in 2 Timothy 3. God lists many problems that are currently occurring, which destroy relationships.

2 Timothy 3:1-6, 13 (NKJV)—But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts… But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceived and being deceived.

Bad News for Marriages

Are marriages getting better or worse? Does not sound good, does it? These elements have been with us since sin entered the world and, I believe, have been increasing as time passes. The ruler of this world, Satan, uses those elements to incite our flesh to be INDEPENDENT of God and each other.

There are nineteen items in the list, none of which a child of God would see as complimentary. It appears that the first item – self-love – generates the additional eighteen. Every one of those items will work against marriages getting better.

The key to great relationships is revealed in course 7. It is the rescue kit you need to bring life and hope back to your relationships. However, first, examine the reality of what you are facing in all your relationships. Based on God's Word, things will continue to get worse.