It is important for us to understand that marriage is not something that man invented. God instituted the relationship between man and woman so that man would not be alone. They were made to complement each other and to be helpmates. Without this realization, marriage becomes just another social institution to be modified at the whim and demands of popular culture. In this case, as in Judges 17:6, everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
This purpose for marriage, combined with God’s redemptive history, is so important in marriage and marital counseling. Without Christ’s redemption, we really don’t know how much we are supposed to love our spouses. Without His example of unwavering love, which we can only strive to emulate, we take more than we give. It is not uncommon to view a spouses sin or even difference of opinion as a reason for marital failure. The Biblical model is to love the spouse unconditionally. Once you attempt that unconditional love and understanding, the marriage becomes a “safe”place to discuss difference and you can become the partners that God intended.