The definition talks about dependence, about a social and legal relationship, and about a family, but it never mentions God. Our expectations relating to marriage are shaped by what we have seen in our parents' relationship, on television, read about in newspapers and books, and have seen around us. We use these outside sources to judge and shape our own marriages. Our marriages are considered successes mostly by these fictional or dramatized standards. These sources also determine marital success by what we are getting out of the relationship.
Many problems exist with the world's view of marriage.
This is evident in the approximate fifty percent divorce rate in this country. We have recently seen statistics that show that the divorce rate in certain geographic areas is as high as seventy-seven percent. With this attitude we let our emotions control our lives, and our spouse is there only while things are good. This is not commitment. Many Christians today believe they understand God's view of marriage, and do not follow what the world's view says.