April 26, 2026
Covenant Love: Strengthening the Marriage Bond 
 
Matthew 19:4-6 (NIV) 
 
"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,' and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." 
 
Every time you believe a lie you empower the liar. 
 
2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV) 
 
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 
 
Lies that weaken marriage: 
 
Lie #1: I Can Change Him/Her 
 
Proverbs 18:22 (NIV) 
 
He who finds a wife finds what is good 
and receives favor from the Lord. 
 
Ephesians 4:26 (KJV) 
 
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 
 
Lies that weaken marriage: 
 
Lie #2: A good marriage is always 50/50 
 
John 15:12-13 (NIV) 
 
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. 
 
Ephesians 5:25 (NIV) 
 
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 
 
Ephesians 5:33 (NIV) 
 
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. 
 
A man that loves you will always bring elevation to your value. 
 
A woman who loves you always increases your respect. 
 
Lies that weaken marriage: 
 
Lie #3: Marriage is a contract 
 
Matthew 19:6 (NIV) 
 
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." 
 
Matthew 19:7-8 (NIV) 
 
"Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" 
Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 
 
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV) 
 
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 
 
Lies that weaken marriage: 
 
Lie #4: There is no hope for my marriage 
 
Matthew 19:26 (NIV) 
 
...with God all things are possible." 
 
Mark 9:23 (NIV) 
 
..."Everything is possible for one who believes."