In  contemplating these vows, I thought to myself, when one of these vows are broken, it must first begin as a thought, then if that thought is not checked, it becomes an action. 

How many times people really check their thoughts against one another.  Many times anger goes unchecked and becomes a full fledged blow up in your face spewing forth venomous words and even at times physical actions to the body.  Words are very powerful, but so are actions.  Some people beat their mate with words.  Some beat their mates with actions. Both carry the same effect spiritually and physically.  I often think of words and actions as feathers in the wind.  Once spoken or done, there is no way for the human being to take it back.  Both carry with them powerful re-actions.
Many marriages are suffering the after effects of broken covenant vows and their lives become open festering wounds that were never healed..

As an example the husband or wife goes out and commits adultery.  It does not just happen.  It first began as a thought that went unchecked, because that individual had evil/wrong thoughts towards their spouse.  Perhaps their spouse did something to hurt them and in unforgiveness they decided to hurt that person right back, so they allowed their thoughts to go against the one who they believed hurt them and  from then on, it is easy to be deluded in allowing  their thoughts to stray towards another person who they believe will not hurt them.  Thus, opening the door for Satan to do his work in their life by breaking their marriage vows before an omni-present, omni-science, omni-potent G-d.  Once Satan has sown the seeds of unfaithfullness in that person's life it becomes easier and easier for their heart to become hardened towards their mate and towards G-d.  So you see by this example when one thought goes unchecked how the ball begins to flow in seeds of unfaithful re-actions.

The age old saying is to every action their is a re-action.  This has been proven true!.

In my lifetime, I have seen many marriages split apart because of broken vows. Many decided to remain married to the same spouse and live in unforgiveness, anger and bitterness for the rest of their lives until death do them part, and many are on their second or third marriage.  A broken vow cannot be mended.  However,the wounds can be healed, only if both spouses commit to restoring what they tore down in each other's life, and the only way that can be done is to invite G-d into their hearts and every facet of their life and really work on committing to do whatever it takes to bring about a restoration.  It takes much more work than what many are willing to commit to. Many people run to a marriage counselor and pay big bucks only to find out that they do not want to commit to the relationship because of what they are hearing from their spouse, and so they legally, mentally or physically divorce themselves from their mate because of anger, bitterness and unforgiveness.

I think of how many vows people make to G-d they did not fulfill.  If they can do that to G-d, the Creator of heaven and earth, more so mankind.  Please bear in mind that we will ALL be judged by even the idle words that we speak, according to Jesus Christ, regardless of our religious background or faith.  G-d's Word is infallible and it will judge ALL of humanity.

Here are some scripture verses that relates to marriage.
Malachi chapter 2/13-17
Matthew chapter 5 and 19
Luke chapter 16
Mark chapter 10
Hebrews chapter 13
Romans chapters 1 and 7
1 Corinthians chapters 6 and 7 

Father, please bless and honor Your Word to the ones who are sincerely seeking You for the restoration of their marriages.  Bring healing to their heart, mind, body and soul, give them wisdom to make the right decisions, give them endurance to run this race to the finish, give them peace that surpasses all human understanding, give them joy unceasing, give them a spirit of long-suffering and most importantly, give them agape' love for the unlovable, according to Your promises and In the name of my precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen. 

With loving and Sincere thoughts
your sister and friend in Christ
Marcia Balthazar
8/28/09