THE MARRIAGE COVENANT (2) – NO EMPTY WORDS

At a wedding some years back, as the exchange of vows was going on, it got to a portion where the groom seemed to mumble the words through. The presiding minister immediately scolded him and asked him to repeat the vows properly. He struggled through, but he eventually did. He must have known the weight of the words that he was saying.

When people exchange vows at the altar, they do not always seem to pay attention to them – they are too excited to think deeply about what they have said. Words are not a joke; vows are not just mere words. 

These are the prophetic words of Malachi about this matter: 

Malachi 2:13-14 AMPC

And this you do with double guilt; you cover the altar of the Lord with tears [shed by your unoffending wives, divorced by you that you might take heathen wives], and with [your own] weeping and crying out because the Lord does not regard your offering any more or accept it with favor at your hand. [14] Yet you ask, Why does He reject it? Because the Lord was witness [to the covenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously and to whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your marriage vows].

First, God was a witness to the covenant made at your marriage. Second, that covenant was made by your marriage vows. This tells you something very simple: Words made your marriage. Words can break your marriage. 

Let us ask some simple questions based on the marriage vows you made:

– Do you love him like you said you would?

– Do you still honour, cherish and submit to him as you vowed? 

– Is your body really her own? 

– Is your body really his own? 

– Did you really leave your father and mother, or are they still controlling you as a couple?

– Have you really joined yourself to your wife?

– Are you standing with your spouse in all kingdom values?

– Are you standing together against everything not of God, or is there an entry created by a party already?

– Are you still in this for life?

Do you know who the Psalmist described as a righteous man? 

Psalm 15:1,4 NIV

LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?… who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind. 

Have you started changing your mind? How do you keep such strong vows? It is simple- Ask for the help of the Lord. Submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Stay humble and willing to learn. He gives grace to the humble. 

Go back and check the vows you made? Ask yourself- did I speak mere words? Am I keeping my words or breaking them?