Society today downplays the benefits of marriage as God designed it. Yet followers of Jesus Christ realize that God created marriage to bring a man and woman into a lifelong relationship where the two function together in harmony (Genesis 2:18, 24). Building a happy and successful marriage takes work, time, and intentionality. It is not easy—especially in a world whose “god,” the Devil, is bent on destroying this God-ordained institution (2 Corinthians 4:4)—but when God gives a command, He does so to bless and not to punish us.