Standing back to back with your spouse is a powerful image, and there’s a deep reason for it rooted in both biblical wisdom and the practical strength it offers to a marriage. In Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT), it says, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” This paints a clear picture of the strength that comes when you and your spouse are united.
You can only truly stand back-to-back with your spouse if you are both walking a godly journey together. Amos 3:3 reminds us that two people cannot walk together unless they agree. The same goes for marriage—you must be equally yoked spiritually, pulling in the same direction, for your union to be strong. This is why it’s so important not to yoke yourself to an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14), as it creates a division in the foundation of your marriage. Marriage, as designed by God, is for two people to walk hand in hand toward the same goal—to glorify God and raise godly offspring (Malachi 2:15).
Now let’s consider the armour of God, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18. When you put on the full armour, you are fully protected from attacks coming from the front—your head, chest, waist, legs, and feet are covered. But there is one area that remains unprotected—your back. This is where your spouse comes in. When you stand back-to-back, you are protecting each other’s vulnerable spots. If the enemy attacks from the front, they find you armed with the armour of God. If they come from behind, they encounter your spouse, who is also fully armoured. Together, you form an impenetrable defence, covering each other from every angle.
This is the power of standing back-to-back in marriage. The enemy has no entry point because you are both protected and watching out for each other. It’s a beautiful picture of unity and strength, one that cannot be easily broken.
When you seek godly marriages, you allow God to be in both the man and the woman, forming a marriage with God at the centre—creating that triple-braided cord that cannot be broken. Protect each other, support each other, and always stand back-to-back to form a stronghold that the enemy cannot penetrate.
May God bless your unions, and for those seeking a spouse, remember to drown yourself in Jesus so the one meant for you will find you in Him. Be blessed, and may your marriages reflect the love and strength of Christ.