August 7, 2012

Should Christians Divorce?



Should Christians divorce? Growing up in an Apostolic Pentecostal church, we were always taught that marriage was a contract between one woman, one man, and God… that the two would be united together with each other until death and that no man could undo that contract. Point blank. PERIOD. (not even a Judge)

If, for any reason, a couple decided they could not remain married to each other, they could separate from each other. BUT, they were to both remain single and unmarried from anyone else until the death of the other person.   Huhhh? Yes, you read that correctly.

We were taught that marriage is a commitment until death, weather you decided to stick with each other, or not, you are still bound to that person until their (or your) death.

Some people might not agree with this, some might think it’s completely ridiculous or consider it going overboard… but what do the scriptures say about divorce?

Let’s see.

I’m using the NIV bible for these scriptures…

Malachi 2:16 – “I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.

Matthew 5:32 – But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew 19:8,9 – Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Mark 10:11,12 – He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Luke 16:18 – “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

I Corinthians 7:10,11 – To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

Mark 10:9 - Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

I don’t know about you, but even though I have not been a member of the Apostolic Pentecostal church since I was 12 years of age, I can’t argue with the scriptures.

I think the scriptures have been twisted and distorted so that tiny sins and things detestable in the sight of God can be “swept under the rug.”

I say the Word is the Word. It’s the same today as it was yesterday… and it will be the same even tomorrow.

Below are some of the few times in the bible God mentions HATING something… the things he hates are:

Divorce
Haughty eyes
Lying tongue
Hands that shed innocent blood
A heart that devises wicked schemes
Feet that are quick to rush to evil
A false witness who pours out lies
A man who stirs up dissension among brothers

I think if more people looked at marriage as a one time shot… you are stuck with that person for the rest of your life (as God designed), there would be less rushing into marriage. Also if you knew that your only choices after marriage were to stick with it and work things out with your spouse, or live the rest of your life alone with no spouse, I think more people would opt to try to work things out more times than not.

Not to mention, what divorce does to the child(ren) involved. 


 I’m just voicing what I have received, and what God has revealed to me, through scriptures. I know that God convicts each of us differently and with that being said, I would love to hear what your views on divorce are.



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3 comments:

Unknown said...

Interesting...Thought provoking.

Anonymous said...

I think you'll find you're opening a can of worms, but I was raised and believe the scriptures in God's Word concerning divorce as well.

Obviously, many things have become acceptable and the norm in church, many things that are contrary to God's word. I think it's good to dig deep and find out what He says about everything...asking Him to open the eyes of our understanding and reveal to us His truth.


God bless!

Diane Stringam Tolley said...

Beautifully said. And you're right. No one benefits from divorce. Particularly the children.
I have been a witness as close personal friends and even some family members have divorced. It breaks the heart! But when there are abuses involved, and/or when only one partner is interested in trying to turn to the Lord and work through problems, everything gets even more difficult and complex.
Thank you for sharing on NOBH!