Satan wants to destroy your marriage.
That’s no scare tactic. Satan hates marriage because it reflects God’s divine image and is a mechanism through which He influences the world. Strong, healthy, god-fearing marriages produce strong, healthy, god-fearing families and communities. One of the most powerful forces on Earth is a loving, committed couple who use their gifts to love and serve others.
The way Satan attacks couples is through lies that promote relationship myths and fairy-tale expectations. Dr. Greg Smalley and Dr. Bob Paul have seen these lies at work in many couples’ marriages.
Greg is the Vice President of Marriage here at Focus on the Family. Bob heads up our Hope Restored marriage intensives, our outreach to couples on the brink of separation or divorce.
They say there are nine lies that routinely crop up between couples:
- Happiness is the primary goal of marriage.
- Marriage is all about unity, not individuality.
- The only thing couples need is love.
- You must sacrifice who you are for the sake of your marriage.
- You must meet each other’s needs.
- Your differences are irreconcilable.
- You must work hard to earn your spouse’s love.
- You must “fix” your spouse.
- To compromise is to lose the argument.
The antidote to a lie is truth. Truth brings hope and healing to married couples.
On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Combating the Lies That Can Destroy Your Marriage,” Greg and Bob are with us to break down each myth and to explain God’s design for marriage. This program was one of our most popular broadcasts of 2020. Listen on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.
Marriage is at the forefront of our ministry here at Focus on the Family. We place such emphasis on it because it’s the foundation of the family structure. It’s also a picture of the Gospel, reflecting Christ’s love for people.
While marriage can be filled with beautiful moments, there are also challenges. There’s no denying that it takes a lot of work and intentionality. And when you are prepared to face those challenges, you’ll be able to weather the storms and come out better on the other side.
If you’re on the brink of divorce, our Hope Restored marriage intensives can go a long way toward facilitating healing between you and your spouse and bringing restoration to your relationship. The intensives take place in three locations: Branson, MO; Greenville, MI; and the WinShape Retreat Center in Rome, GA. The number for Hope Restored is 1-866-875-2915, or visit online.
And while you’re online, why not take a few moments to try our free Marriage Assessment online tool? It will help you quickly determine what’s working well in your relationship and identify areas where you may need some improvement.
Dr. Greg Smalley and Dr. Bob Paul are co-authors of the book 9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage: And the Truths That Will Save It and Set It Free. I’d like to make it available to you for a gift of any amount.
If you can help Focus on the Family with a gift, know that your donation will be doubled for twice the impact in helping others through this ministry. Our thanks to generous donors who’ve made that possible. For more information, visit our website or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Sign up for the weekly e-newsletter
Alan Barr says
-I am a staff member with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) and am counseling a married couple in Asia who are experiencing major relationship problems. I would like to get three digital copies of the 9-Lies book in return for my donation. Can you provide those? English can work, but is the book also available in Korean or Chinese?