How Oneness in Body, Spirit, and Soul Creates a Strong Marriage

In the beginning, Adam and Eve were perfect, free from sin. Consequently, their marriage in the Garden of Eden was also perfect. A perfect marriage is characterized by several key elements, which were evident in their union:

1. Oneness in Body

A perfect marriage exhibits physical unity, where both husband and wife work together, overcoming sinful tendencies. By subduing their carnal inclinations, they avoid the dominion of evil passions and instead live under the authority of God’s Word. This requires personal discipline and a commitment to achieving victory over natural weaknesses. Walking with God demands sacrifice—not only of sinful behaviors but also of distractions such as excessive pleasures and worldly pursuits.

2. Oneness in Spirit

A godly marriage thrives when both partners are united in spirit under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within every believer (John 14:17; Romans 8:9-14; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The Holy Spirit reveals divine truth, convicts of sin, and cultivates virtues such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These fruits are essential for building a happy and lasting marriage.

3. Oneness in Soul

Spiritual harmony means both partners prioritize heavenly desires over worldly attachments. As John warns, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 John 2:15). Paul echoes this, stating that no soldier entangles himself with civilian affairs but seeks to please his commander (2 Timothy 2:4). A truly united couple understands that while they use and appreciate worldly things, they must not love them more than God, as this leads to spiritual corruption (1 Corinthians 7:31).

4. Oneness in Will

A strong marriage is built on shared responsibilities, burdens, and resources. Instead of maintaining an individualistic mindset, both partners must work together, making financial and life decisions based on collective well-being rather than personal gain. In a healthy marriage, discussions center on “we,” “us,” and “our” rather than “I,” “mine,” and “yours.”

Also read: What is God Purpose for Establishing the Marriage Institution?

The Fall and Its Consequences

However, when Adam and Eve sinned, their once-perfect marriage became flawed, as did all human relationships. Humanity inherited sin and its consequences, leading to brokenness, including in marriage. God does not expect perfection from us by our own strength; rather, He offers His righteousness to those who repent. Through His grace, marriages can be restored and made whole again.

Jesus emphasized this restoration when He said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21), implying that earthly marriage should reflect the heavenly union between Christ and His Church. Likewise, when He prayed, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), He was pointing to the divine harmony that should exist between husbands and wives.

Read this – What Does the Bible Say About the Purpose of Marriage?

Marriage should be honored and kept pure, as the writer of Hebrews reminds us: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” (Hebrews 13:4).

Why Is My Marriage Wounded?

With such a divine purpose for marriage, why do so many suffer wounded relationships? God created marriage to be “very good” (Genesis 1:31), yet many struggle, questioning whether they married the wrong person or if God has abandoned them. However, the issue often lies in mismanagement.

Just as in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where some servants wisely invested their master’s resources while one buried his, marriage requires stewardship. Those who cultivate their relationship reap joy and blessings, while neglect leads to brokenness.

At the root of marital struggles is sin, inherited from Adam and Eve. Since “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), all humanity has suffered separation from God, bringing suffering and disorder into marriages. Unless we break free from this curse through Christ, our marriages remain wounded.

How Oneness in Body, Spirit, and Soul Creates a Strong Marriage

1. The Path to Healing

The good news is that Jesus offers redemption. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9-10). Healing a broken marriage begins with surrendering to Christ. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot fully understand God’s design for marriage. As Paul states, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him”(1 Corinthians 2:14). 

2. A New Beginning

The issue is not about marrying the wrong person but about lacking spiritual transformation. Without God’s wisdom, we struggle to navigate marriage effectively. True change begins when we become new creations in Christ, altering our thoughts, values, and behaviors.

The first step is acknowledging personal sin in the marriage. Often, both partners contribute to its failure, whether through ignorance, intolerance, disrespect, envy, selfishness, unfaithfulness, or pride. No one is completely innocent. The Bible warns, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Recognizing our faults and seeking God’s guidance is essential for restoration.

Conclusion

Marriage is both a training ground and a test for the heavenly union between Christ and His Church. Those who exhibit godly virtues in their earthly marriage are being prepared for the eternal marriage with Christ, as Revelation 19:7 declares:

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.”

Through Christ, even wounded marriages can be healed and restored to reflect the divine love God intended from the beginning.