God Hates Divorce — Fighting for Covenant Love

When marriage gets hard, do we see it as disposable or as a covenant worth fighting for?

A young couple bought a beautiful house but neglected the roof. Small leaks began, then mold, then rot. Friends told them, “It’s too much work. Just tear it down.” But instead, they chose to repair it piece by piece. Years later, their home became the gathering place for their children and grandchildren — stronger than ever.

Marriages are like that. Left unattended, cracks grow. But with God’s help, what’s broken can be repaired, restored, and made stronger than before.

Divorce is common in our culture, even among believers.

People justify it with phrases like:

  • “We fell out of love.”

  • “We’re just not compatible.”

  • “I deserve to be happy.”

Yet Scripture calls marriage a covenant, not a contract. A contract can be broken when one party fails to meet its expectations. A covenant is a binding promise, sealed before God, meant to reflect His faithful love.

Fighting for Covenant Love

  • Invest in Small Things: Date nights, prayer, laughter, encouragement.

  • Seek Help Early: Invite trusted mentors, pastors, or counselors to share in your struggles.

  • Practice Forgiveness: Every marriage requires daily grace.

  • Remember the Covenant: You made vows before God — let those vows anchor you.

    Ephesians 5 tells us marriage reflects Christ’s love for His Church. Jesus never abandons His bride. He forgives, sanctifies, and holds fast. When we fight for our marriages, we mirror His steadfast love.

God’s design for marriage is lifelong covenant love — and with His grace, it is possible to endure and even thrive, even through trials. God doesn’t hate people who divorce. He hates divorce because of the pain, brokenness, and ripple effects it brings to families, children, and communities.

“I hate divorce,’ says the Lord God of Israel.” — Malachi 2:16 (NIV

One couple described how they nearly gave up. Misunderstandings had grown into bitterness. But through counseling, prayer, and support from their church, they found renewal. Today, they look back and say, “We almost lost everything, but God gave us back more than we started with.”

Their story isn’t unique. Covenant love doesn’t mean marriage is easy. It means we don’t give up when it’s hard.

Gentle Note of Balance

While God’s desire is for marriages to be healed and preserved, Scripture also makes clear that He hates violence and oppression (Malachi 2:16). If you or someone you know is in a marriage marked by abuse or danger, please seek safety and wise counsel. God’s covenant love never calls us to enable sin or remain in harm’s way.

God Hates Divorce — Fighting for Covenant Love

Small Group Study Outline:

Opening Question

  • What do you think is the biggest cultural misunderstanding about marriage today?

Scripture Reading

  • Malachi 2:13–16

  • Matthew 19:4–6

  • Ephesians 5:25–33

Discussion Questions

  1. Why does God describe marriage as a covenant instead of a contract?

  2. How has divorce affected you, your family, or your community?

  3. Why is perseverance such an important part of covenant love?

  4. What practices help a marriage stay strong over the long haul?

  5. How does Christ’s love for the Church model covenant faithfulness?

Practical Challenge for the Week

  • Couples: Pray together daily this week, even if briefly, asking God to deepen your covenant love.

  • Singles: Pray for the marriages in your church — that they would reflect Christ’s faithfulness.

Closing Prayer

  • Thank God for His unbreakable covenant love. Pray for healing in wounded marriages, strength for struggling couples, and protection for families.