This piece is sure to rub some people wrong, but if God addressed it in His word, then I must address it.
People get both married and divorced for many different reasons. But, it’s God’s will for a MAN and WOMAN (only)… FOR THOSE WHO SAY JESUS NEVER ADDRESSED HOMOSEXUALITY…
Matthew 19:3-5 (NKJV)
3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who [a]made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
God also makes it clear that He HATES divorce…
Malachi 2:16 (NKJV)
16 “For the Lord God of Israel says
That He hates divorce,
For it covers one’s garment with violence,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
“Therefore take heed to your spirit,
That you do not deal treacherously.”
However, as stated above, people divorce for many different reasons…
Money…
‘Growing apart’…
Careers…
Unequally yoked…
Irreconcilable differences…
And of course…
ADULTERY.
God also clearly says that if one divorces his or her spouse for a reason other than that which God allows commits adultery and causes the one he or she marries to commit adultery…period.
Many Ministers quickly say they would not officiate a homosexual wedding, as I wouldn’t, but I also ask heterosexual couples if they were previously married, and if so, why they got divorced.
Matthew 5:31-32 (KJV)
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Matthew 19:7-9 (KJV)
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 (NKJV)
10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
That’s very strong and very clear. In God’s view, if one puts away their spouse they are bound. Entering into another marriage is viewed by God as adulterous.
So, ask yourself. Does God accept your marriage, or are you living in adultery?
But, what about the spouse that has been put away and wanted to stay married? Are they bound?
1 Corinthians 7:15 (NKJV)
15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.
Here the Apostle Paul is talking about an unbeliever leaving a believing spouse, but it makes it clear that if your spouse leaves you, then you are not bound. (Please read all of 1 Corinthians Chapter 7 for context).
This is a difficult subject, but one that is not discussed enough. God is clear in His word, and He does not expect us to justify fitting it to our will, but we are to submit to His.
So, is adultery when the spouse has asked for forgiveness an excuse for divorce? For more on that topic, read this…
WHEN GOD EXPECTS US TO FORGIVE ADULTERY (CHEATING ON GOD)…
BE BLESSTIFIED!
Very tough and personal topic! I was lucky enough to have a very dear Christian friend walk with me through so much on this very road. He is a gracious and loving God.
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That’s exactly right: the only ground for remarrying is if one’s spouse commits adultery, everything else doesn’t make one free to marry someone else.
Mainstream religion doesn’t teach this and my country is full of people who just separate on grounds that have nothing to do with adultery and remarry and the church doesn’t strongly make it clear that this is not an option for Christians.
This is why I did away with the Catholic religion 35 years ago and never returned
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