What is the best way to improve your chances of a happy marriage BEFORE you get married? Some would say to make sure you live together first in order to get a good idea of compatibility. In fact, it is almost assumed now days that a couple will live together first. But do the statistics bear that out?

Actually, the studies show just the opposite. I have seen several of them but there is one from a newspaper that I have saved. Why have I saved it? I’ve been in discussion with friends and family on numerous occasions on this subject. They look at me as if I have two heads when I tell them that couples who don’t live together before marriage have less divorce. So I decided to save my backup proof for future discussions.

This study shows, for instance, that 70 percent of couples who live together eventually marry but they are also more likely to split than those who did not cohabitate. Does that surprise you as much as it does some of my friends?

I realize that those who want to live together will not be influenced to stop because of the statistics; they want to do what they want to do. But at least they should know that scientific data is not on their side of it. The real question should be whether God is on their side of it. The answer is that he is not.

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (Hebrews 13:4) I’d say following that rule gives them their best shot.