“What God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Matthew 19:6 (NIV)
I’ve been reflecting on this passage recently. It’s the week of Claudia and I’s anniversary. I don’t know about you, but this year has seemed to be especially hard on a lot of marriages. A month hasn’t gone by when I haven’t heard of a marriage being severed. Each of these has been a “check your marriage” moment for me.
As I’ve been reflecting on this verse, I have found myself asking the question, “What CAN separate what God has joined together?” I came to the conclusion that a marriage can be severed when the one who joined it together is no longer a part of it. Meaning, when God is separated from the marriage, the two people in that marriage can also become separated from each other. This then led me to ask myself, “How can I see God is in my marriage?” (If you can’t already tell, I’m pretty introspective)
Galatians 5:22-23 uses fruit as a metaphor for the characteristics of the Spirit of God being visible in one’s life and relationships. These characteristics are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Each and every one of these fruits of the Spirit is evidence of God in a marriage.
What God has joined together, let no one separate. Instead…
Let self-control be stable.
Let gentleness be accessible.
Let faithfulness be certain.
Let goodness be evident.
Let kindness be persistent.
Let patience be frequent.
Let peace be consistent.
Let joy be abundant.
And let love be over it all.
Originally posted on November 11, 2020. Last updated on August 29, 2025
Nick Chellsen 