From “New Spirit Filled Life” Bible, NKJV, Matthew 19:5-8:
“…’For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.’ They said to Him,’Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?’ He said to them,’Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so’.”
KINGDOM DYNAMICS: “Husbands and wives need to keep their hearts soft toward one another. Every marriage involves two imperfect people. It not only is personally challenging to work out difficulties within marriage, but it is a spiritual contest, since the Adversary is always seeking points of vulnerability to work his destruction in our lives. Our temptation to self-interest and self-defense in our marriage relationship (or any relationship) is a prime target. The Enemy, our accuser, will point out and exaggerate our spouses’s shortcomings and will foster anger and unforgiveness growing in our hearts toward one another. “Jesus warns that disintegration attacks the marriage where hardness of heart is allowed to grow. Let us be warned against giving this place toward our spouse, seeing how Scripture links hardness of heart to unbelief (Mark 16:14), lack of understanding (5:32), pride (Dan.5:20), and stubbornness (2 Chr.36:13). “We are exhorted as married believers to relate in a way that builds one another up. We are to encourage one another “lest any of you be hardened ” (Heb.3:13) and to let our words lift with encouragement (Heb.10:24,25), edification (Rom.14:19), thankfulness, and prayer for one another (Phil.1:3,4) as we watch over, care for, and build up our marriages (as well as all relationships, at home and out in the world).”
…in all relationships, at home and out in the world.