by Marilynn Chadwick
Why do we break faith with each other, profaning the covenant of our ancestors? (Malachi 2:10b CJB).
We saw yesterday how strife among believers can hinder our prayers. Today, let’s look at what the Bible calls “breaking faith,” another type of strife which hits closer to home.
Faith in Jesus is serious business. But God’s Word also calls us to a type of “faith” in each other as members of the body of Christ. Scripture warns us that to “break faith” greatly impedes prayer. “Don’t we all have the same father? Didn’t one God create us all? Then why do we break faith with each other, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?” (Malachi 2:10).
The Hebrew word translated “to break faith” means “to be unfaithful, betray, or act treacherously.” Ancient Israel had broken faith with each other, and then cried out to God, wondering why he was displeased with them. The prophet Malachi accuses them of covering God’s altar with “tears, with weeping and with sighing, because he no longer looks at the offering or receives your gift with favor” (Malachi 2:13). He rebukes them for breaking faith with one another (v. 10). Next, he addresses their marriages: “The Lord” is the witness between you and the wife of your youth that you have broken faith with her, though she is your companion, your wife by covenant” (Malachi 2:13-14).
Peter seizes upon this connection between marital harmony and answered prayer, exhorting believing husbands and wives to treat each other in a godly way as “heirs together of the gracious gift of life” (1 Peter 3:7 NIV). “Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Peter 3:7). Enkopt, translated “hinder,” comes from the idea of cutting or striking. It conveys a strong interruption or stoppage. Marital strife can be a literal barricade to answered prayer.
Malachi gives us a practical prescription to protect our marriages and our relationships with fellow believers: “So guard yourself in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth” (Malachi 2:15b NIV 1984). “So guard yourself and do not break faith” (v.16b). The word translated “guard,” means “to keep, preserve, protect; to keep watch.”
We avoid “breaking faith” by guarding ourselves and keeping watch over our families and communities. It’s often been said the best way to avoid a war is to prepare for it. We become battle ready through prayer and God’s Word. We’re armed and dangerous to the devil, alert to his attempts to divide our marriages and families, and to disrupt the unity in the body of Christ.
My football-mom friend reminds me the secret of winning at football is “the guard.” If we want stronger prayers, we can start by guarding our words: “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3). We can guard our eyes: “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word (Psalm 119:37). We can guard our heart: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
Let’s get serious about guarding our homes, churches, and communities. Let’s also get rid of hindrances to prayer. A power-filled prayer life is a tried-and-true way we can stay strong!