Ever wonder why some marriages end in divorce and what makes couples who were once over the moon about themselves, be at each other’s throats?
This month, we shall be looking at the biblical perspective on Divorce and the necessary parameters to explore to avoid this great pitfall of the End Time.
Definition of Term
What is Divorce?
Divorce as a noun
- Law: The action or an instance of legally dissolving (dissolve) a marriage.
- Separation, Severance: Divorce of the secular and the spiritual.
As a transitive verb
Law:
- a. To legally dissolve one’s marriage with, to end a marriage with (one’s spouse) by divorce. b. To dissolve the marriage contract between.
- To make or keep separate: separate divorce church from state.
God Himself conducted the very first marriage in the book of Genesis chapter 2 verses 18 through 26. The first couple, Adam and Eve were never separated nor divorced. Thus, it is so obvious that God intended marriage to be a lifelong journey between one man and one woman.
After the fall of Man, some of our matriarchs and patriarchs drifted away from the stipulated law cum desire of God. They did not only marry multiple spouses, they also got divorced and separated for flimsy excuses and at the slightest provocation as written in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Also, Malachi 2:16.
In Matthew 5:31-32 and Matthew 19:3-9, with a far better overview, Jesus addressed the issue of divorce, accentuating the basis on which it should be considered and its consequences on both the man and woman involved.
“The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning, it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
Matthew 19:3-9 NKJV
Apostle Paul also lent credence to the subject in Romans 7:2 and 1 Corinthians 7:10-17.
A married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Romans 7:2 ESV
To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. To the rest, I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. … 1 Corinthians 7:10-17.
It is hence safe to say that God hates divorce or separation!
The burning question, however in most people’s minds, is “Why do some believers either divorce or separate from their spouses?”
The answer is simple and it may be any of these:
- No relationship with God. Due to the lack of fear of God, some are not in a Father-son relationship with God at the time of their marriage, therefore they do not seek God’s Face in prayer to know His Will for their lives.
- Some forsake wise and Godly counsel.
- Others make wrong choices due to their profanity and are led astray by mere emotions.
- Unforgiveness, naivety, being headstrong and very unwilling to please God.
- Domestic Violence and all forms of abuse.
- Family’s or Friends’ Interference.
- Unfounded and unbiblical Doctrinal Issues due to denominationalism.
- Cultural Differences.
- Bad Character.
- Worldliness.
- Addictions.
- Lust.
A physically abuse spouse should seek spiritual, psychological and legal help. It is not out of place to have the abuser or batterer reprimanded or held in custody like it is done in civilized countries if no sign of genuine repentance is seen. If this is not achievable, the victim should seek refuge elsewhere over some time for his or her safety and well-being, without the intention of immediately running into another marriage. There is more to do for God while alive because the Dead cannot praise God!
Stigmatization of genuine divorce victims should not be allowed in churches as this has caused some of them their lives.
Intending couples and married couples should go through proper counseling to tackle and nip in the bud the draconian issues in marriage.
Families should pray together at all times because a family that prays together stays together.
Divorce is a satanic attack against families.
With God, there are no irreconcilable differences. He takes pleasure in solving marital problems because He designed marriage to be enjoyed and not endured.
He will judge anyone who tells lies or maliciously treats his or her spouse to get divorced or separated. Hebrews 13:4
Shalom
