| If you are a Christian contemplating divorce, you | | | | 'fornication' -- meaning, if she is unfaithful. |
| are probably struggling with a lot of tough | | | | Keep in mind that this was recorded by a man |
| questions. Is marriage not sacred in God's eyes? | | | | (Matthew) and, at that time, women didn't have |
| Have I done everything I can to save my | | | | much say. If we take what Jesus said and look to |
| marriage? What about my children -- will a divorce | | | | the present day, my opinion is that He would |
| show them that marriage isn't really forever, as | | | | grant the same permissions for a woman whose |
| the Bible says? | | | | husband had been unfaithful. Now, infidelity in and |
| In times like this, the first place to turn is your | | | | of itself doesn't have to lead to divorce...but we'll |
| Bible. What does the Bible say about divorce? | | | | get to that later. |
| There are 3 Bible scriptures that tell us. | | | | 1Corinthians, Ch 7, v 10-16 |
| Deuteronomy, Ch 24, v.1-4 | | | | Here, Paul reiterates some of the same attitudes |
| As Moses leads his people to Canaan, he reminds | | | | about divorce, but adds that if a Christian woman |
| them of God's laws. Regarding divorce, he says, | | | | is married to a non-Christian, she should stay with |
| "If a man doesn't like something about his wife, | | | | him in the hope of converting him to Christianity |
| he may write a letter stating that he has divorced | | | | (and likewise for Christian men married to |
| her, give her the letter, and send her away. If she | | | | non-Christian women). In v.15, he adds "But if a |
| then remarries, and the second husband divorces | | | | husband or wife who is not a Christian is eager to |
| her or dies, the former husband may not marry | | | | leave, divorce is permitted. In such cases the |
| her again, for she has been defiled; this would | | | | Christian husband or wife should not insist that the |
| bring guilt upon the land the Lord your God is | | | | other stay, for God wants his people to live in |
| giving you." | | | | peace and harmony." |
| Ok, we admit...this is not a huge help. So let's turn | | | | So, according to the Bible, divorce is permissible |
| to the New Testament and see what Jesus has | | | | only in cases of adultery, or if one partner is a |
| to say. | | | | non-Christian and wants to leave. |
| Matthew Ch. 5, v 31-32 | | | | Where Does That Leave You? |
| "The law of Moses says, 'If anyone wants to be | | | | As a Christian in an unhappy marriage, what then |
| rid of his wife, he can divorce her merely by | | | | are your options? Are you doomed to remain in |
| giving her a letter of dismissal. But I (Jesus), say | | | | an unfulfilling relationship forever? |
| that a man who divorces his wife, except for | | | | Luckily, no. |
| fornication, causes her to commit adultery if she | | | | We said we'd come back to infidelity -- in our |
| marries again. And he who marries her commits | | | | experience, cheating is not the end of a marriage |
| adultery." | | | | (or at least, it doesn't have to be). Often times, |
| Here, Jesus is saying that a man can't just divorce | | | | adultery is but a symptom of deeper problems in |
| his wife for any old reason. In fact, the ONLY | | | | the relationship...and as we all know, problems can |
| reason Jesus gives as permission for divorce is | | | | be fixed, especially with God's help. |