There are three reasons for divorce, even though staying married is the best-case scenario for most couples. This is because counseling, prayer with God, and time with God in His Word can change everything in a bad relationship. But if those things do not work, the Bible gives grounds for divorce if, #1, If a spouse is found having sex with someone else outside their spouse, which is fornication. I would also add porn to this, especially if a spouse is not willing to give it up, since the person is also having virtual sex in their mind with the person they watching on the internet. Fornication in marriage is adultery. #2, if a spouse passes away in death, the widow is now free to marry someone else. #3, if an unbeliever abandons their spouse. These reasons are Biblically sound and you will find their associated chapter and verses below…
The number 1 reason for divorce, fornication, is explained in even more detail by Jesus below…
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.
The number 2 reason for divorce, spouse dies, is explained in even more detail by Paul below…
Romans 7:1-3 (KJV)
1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
The number 3 reason for divorce, abandonment, is explained in even more detail by Paul below…
1 Corinthians 7:10-16 (KJV)
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14 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.
15 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.
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
Now, I know that most people would love to add abuse to #4, however, the Bible silent on this issue. So my take on abuse is that it is terrible and immoral in every thought of it, but most likely this abuse is happening because of an addiction. One of which could be a porn addiction, which would be grounds for divorce if the person, again, is not willing to give it up. However, in all cases, much prayer by yourself and with others, while continually reading the Bible, plus counseling, will help you know exactly what God is desiring for your marriage. He may very well find a way to repair it and bring the two people back together once again. However, there are times, that because of the three things I just mentioned that there is nothing left the one spouse can do, especially if the other spouse has decided to abandon them or stay in their sexual sin.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will be with all Christians who are married. And that throughout their marriage, they will look to You in faith. Even when times seem very difficult, we need to trust that You know exactly what we need to do next. Yes, God, I pray that You will lead us by the hand. And if a spouse has either left the faith, is on the fence, or an atheist, help us know how to be a great example around them. We are Your lights, even around very harsh conditions and people. But if people do not change and are unwilling to work with us in our marriages, help us know exactly where to go next. I know that You said that people can divorce for reasons of fornication, abandonment, and if a spouse dies. I just pray that people do not jump to divorcing their spouse because of different reasons that are currently circling in their minds. Instead, I pray that people will get the necessary counsel from not just people, but You that they need. You are the best resource we have when it comes to making these decisions. Help us, Lord. We need You. You are my God and I worship You. I love You and give You praise and honor. Amen.
