When it comes to getting a divorce, which I pray that most people will never have to do, there are only two circumstances in God’s Word that we can do this. This is because God hates it when people put away their spouse or divorce them, which reads in Malachi 2:16. Therefore, trying to work things out with our spouse is much better than going down the road of divorcement. However, if one feels like that is the only way they can be happy, then know that the Bible says that this person should only do this when… #1 There is fornication involved, which could also be adultery. This can be catching a spouse cheating on you or finding out they have a porn addiction and don’t want to stop. #2 If the unbeliever leaves us, we are permitted to divorce him or her. On the same note, neglect and abuse is also called abandonment. So to begin, let’s look at what Jesus said. “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 5:32) He also said that “whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” (Mark 10:11,12) Therefore, we must take marriage very seriously. For we do not wish to be found committing adultery with our new spouse after we divorce our last one. And if it wasn’t for fornication or abandonment reasons, then we may very well be in adultery right now. Therefore, asking God for forgiveness is important. There is mercy from God for those who have already divorced and or remarried outside of His guidelines.
When it comes to the #2 reason to get divorced, Paul also said, “and the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?” (1 Corinthians 7:13-16) And so we have it. Fornication and abandonment are the reasons for people to get a divorce. They should not feel bad, for they are doing nothing wrong in God’s eyes. You see, if God’s Word says it, then we are to believe it. Know that fornication and adultery cause people to act differently around them. It can cause them to make their wife feel like they are a sex object, and also be verbally and/or physically abusive. Where if the abuse is caused by a porn addiction or an adulterous affair, divorce is available. Even if the abusive husband is now serving some time in prison or not there for her, which is abandonment, this is grounds for divorce. Of course, we advise you to go to marriage counseling before doing anything drastic. However, it is when the other spouse is not willing to do counseling or talk to people is when a divorce may be the best thing. God never wished that we would be unhappy in our marriages, but that His love would be the center of it all. However, when God is missing in people’s lives, they miss out on the glue that keeps their marriage together long term.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will make the right choices when it comes to marriage. That they will not go down the road of divorce if issues can be fixed. I’ve seen way too many people who are now worse off because of divorce than while they were married. The children no longer have a set home to be at, for they go from home to home on the weekends or other specific times during the year. And we have children who are now picking sides. Their dad or their mom is now the one they love more or trust. And because of being single, people are drawn into porn, alcohol, and other addictions. There are custody issues, child support, dividing up what is yours, losing your home, which oftentimes lead to more frustration. Surely, there is never an easy out when it comes to divorcing our spouse, and it is not something that You have desired of us either. I just wish people would learn to love their spouse as You love the church, then would marriage’s last. It is when Your love is missing that other things have to fill the gaps. And this is foundation is built upon the sand, and will surely fall when storms come. Then when it crumbles many people are hurt. So, God, I pray that people will only ever divorce when fornication and abandonment are involved. This is what the Bible says and I believe it. And even then, please convict people in their broken state to call upon You for help in prayer. To also see their pastor, and also go to Christian marriage counseling classes for more help. This will only do them good. Lord, I am so happy that I have You in my life. My marriage has been on the rocks at different times, and if You were not there my marriage would have ended a long time ago. Thanks to You, God, my love for my wife is still strong and active. I love You, Lord. Amen.
