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.
3 comments:
Interesting...Thought provoking.
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!
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!
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