Online Reporter
Cuthbert Mavheko, [email protected]
THE High Court of Zimbabwe recently reported that in the first 75 days of 2026 alone, more than 500 divorce cases were processed in the country.
While these figures are alarming, they represent only the tip of the iceberg, as many more marriages are breaking down without being formally recorded.
This is largely because the majority of Zimbabweans are married under customary law and do not hold official marriage certificates.
Concerned marriage counsellors agree that the sharp rise in marital breakdowns now poses a serious threat to the institution of marriage.
I discussed this troubling issue of marriage breakdowns with a marriage counsellor from the United Methodist Church. When asked why so many marriages were failing, he said: “The alarming surge in divorce cases in the country is a clear indication that many people do not know the reasons why they enter into marriage. One pertinent observation that I have made as a marriage counsellor is that most of the marriage break-ups are a result of marital couples not being compatible with one another and having a plethora of differences. As a result of incompatibility, couples often end up engaging in violence and the end result is divorce. Today, most men and women saddled with bad marriages have one thing in common. They ignore some very good Biblical advice, which comes in just five little words, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Matthew 22 verse 39). But who is this neighbour? One might ask. Isn’t he or she the person next-door? Co-workers at the workplace? Church or club members? Yes, according to the Bible, all of these people are our neighbours. But too often we forget the identity of our number one neighbour. Our number one neighbour, in a unique sense, is our spouse — husband or wife.”
Nowadays, few problems pose a greater threat to the nation’s long-term stability than the weakening of the family unit. Many young men and women have begun to adopt the view that marriage is outdated or unnecessary in modern society. As a result, marriage is no longer widely seen as a lifelong commitment. Yet the truth remains that the foundation of any stable, healthy and prosperous society is the family. Marriage and the family unit are, therefore, at the very heart of society. It must also be understood that marriage is not simply a human invention that developed over time, but, according to biblical teaching, it was designed and established by God.
It is important to note that God did not leave humanity without guidance on how marriage should function. According to Christian belief, He established spiritual laws that, if followed, bring love, peace and happiness into marriage. The Holy Bible, particularly in Ephesians 5 verses 22 to 28, provides guidance on how husbands and wives should treat one another. Ignoring these teachings often leads to conflict, unhappiness and, ultimately, divorce.
Sadly, many people today are experiencing emotional and psychological pain as a result of abandoning or disregarding these biblical principles. In a modern world dominated by human reasoning, agnosticism and atheism, many educated individuals dismiss the Bible as merely a collection of ancient writings rather than a divine guide.
The result is that the Bible has become one of the most misunderstood and overlooked books in contemporary society. Yet its teachings, particularly the Ten Commandments, are seen by believers as expressions of God’s love.
This love is not simply human emotion, but a deeper, spiritual love that comes from God, as highlighted in Galatians 5 verse 22.
The first four commandments focus on a person’s relationship with God, while the remaining six guide relationships with others. David Kanokanga, an author, lawyer, bishop and marriage coach, once described this love as “a vertical relationship between God and ourselves, and a horizontal relationship between ourselves and our siblings, friends, relatives etc.”
The truth is that love is the key ingredient for a successful marriage. A man and woman should not enter into marriage unless they genuinely love one another. However, many people misunderstand what love truly means. It is often reduced to a feeling or emotional attraction, especially among young people. Many teenagers and young adults mistake excitement or infatuation for love. Studies have shown that young people may experience this feeling several times, only to later realise that it was not real love. True love goes far beyond physical attraction. It is about commitment, sacrifice and a shared vision of life. It involves two people building a future together, sharing hopes, dreams and responsibilities, and remaining committed to each other for life.
In conclusion, it is important to restate a key biblical principle: for marriages to succeed, especially in a Christian society, people must be willing to follow God’s guidance. Marriage, being a divine institution, requires adherence to the principles laid out by its Creator.
The Bible, particularly in Matthew 22 verses 37 to 38, teaches that love begins with devotion and obedience to God, and extends to how people treat others, including their spouses.
When couples live according to these principles, their bond becomes stronger and more meaningful. Research shows that one of the biggest challenges facing marriages today, both in Zimbabwe and globally, is the lack of strong spiritual commitment between partners.
To restore and strengthen marriages, couples must learn to respect, support and forgive one another. They must work together as partners, guided by love, patience and mutual understanding. By doing so, they can build lasting and fulfilling relationships.
I rest my pen.
Cuthbert Mavheko is a freelance journalist and theologian. He can be contacted on 0773963448/0775522095 or email [email protected]
