Divorce is a touchy subject. It’s something that people generally don’t like to talk about, especially in the church. But it’s also something that happens, and it happens a lot. In fact, according to a study done by the Barna Group, 41% of Americans have gone through a divorce. When you think about such a high number, it’s hard not to wonder what the Bible has to say on divorce. After all, divorce is mentioned several times throughout Scripture. So, what does the Bible actually say on divorce? Is there any hope for those who have gone through one? What does God say to those considering divorce?
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What Is Divorce?
Divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent authority. divorce usually involves the division of assets, such as property and custody of children, between the spouses.
What Causes Divorce?
It is no secret that marriages can be hard. In fact, statistics show that about 40 to 50 percent of all first marriages end in divorce. So, what causes divorce? While there is no one answer to this question, there are some common reasons why marriages fail.
One of the most common reasons for divorce is communication problems. When couples cannot communicate effectively, it can lead to misunderstandings, resentment, and eventually a breakdown in the relationship.
Another common reason for divorce is financial problems. Money troubles can put a lot of strain on a marriage, and if not addressed properly, can lead to its demise.
Infidelity is also a leading cause of divorce. When one spouse cheats on the other, it often leads to feelings of betrayal, anger, and resentment. This can be very difficult to recover from and often results in the end of the marriage.
Lastly, another common cause of divorce is simply growing apart over time. As people change and grow over the years, they may find that they have less in common with their spouse than they once did. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation which can eventually destroy a marriage.
What The Bible Says About Divorce
The Bible does not give a definitive answer on divorce, but it provides guidance on how to approach the issue. The Old Testament allows for divorce under certain circumstances, such as adultery or abandonment. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that divorce should only be considered in cases of sexual immorality.
There is no explicit command in the Bible that says “Thou shalt not divorce.” However, there are several principles that can be gleaned from Scripture that can help us understand God’s heart on the matter.
First and foremost, God loves marriage and desires for it to be a lifelong commitment (Genesis 2:24). He hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) because it typically results in pain and brokenness (1 Corinthians 7:15).
However, God also recognizes that sometimes divorce is unavoidable. In cases of adultery or abandonment, He permits divorce as a way to protect the innocent party (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Matthew 19:9).
When considering divorce, we must always approach the decision with humility, prayer, and wise counsel from trusted friends or mentors. We should never take lightly the covenant we made before God to love and cherish our spouse for better or for worse (Proverbs 5:15-20).
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What Are The Grounds For Divorce In The Bible?
There are only two grounds for divorce in the Bible: adultery and desertion. Adultery is defined as sexual intercourse with someone other than your spouse. In Matthew 5:32, Jesus says that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to commit adultery. And in Matthew 19:9, He says that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.
Desertion is defined as abandonment without justifiable cause. In 1 Corinthians 7:15, Paul says that if an unbelieving husband leaves a believing wife, she is not obligated to continue the marriage; she is free to marry whomever she wishes, but he must remain single or else be reconciled to her.
What Does Jesus Say About Divorce?
Jesus speaks about divorce in the gospels of Matthew and Mark. In Matthew, Jesus says that divorce is only permitted if adultery has taken place. In Mark, Jesus says that divorce is not permitted at all.
It is clear from these passages that Jesus does not condone divorce. He sees it as a last resort, to be used only in cases of infidelity. For Jesus, marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, and should not be taken lightly.
How To Prevent Divorce
The Bible is very clear that divorce is not God’s will for our lives. In fact, He hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). So how can we prevent it from happening in our own marriages?
Here are a few things you can do to help keep your marriage strong and avoid divorce:
Communicate With Each Other.
Effective communication is essential in any relationship, but especially in marriage. You need to be able to talk to each other about both the good and the bad things going on in your lives. This open communication will help you resolve conflicts before they become too big to handle.
Spend Time Together.
Make sure you schedule regular “date nights” or time alone together, even if it’s just an evening walk around the block. This quality time will help you stay connected to each other and strengthen your relationship.
Pray Together.
Prayer is a powerful tool that can help couples stay connected to God and each other. praying together on a regular basis will help you weather the storms of life and keep your marriage strong.
Conclusion
The Bible has a lot to say on divorce, and it is clear that God does not approve of it. In the Old Testament, God allowed divorce in certain cases, but He never intended for it to be something that happened often. In the New Testament, Jesus makes it clear that divorce is only to be allowed in cases of adultery. And even then, He says that reconciliation should be sought first.
Divorce is always going to be a difficult thing to go through, but we can take comfort in knowing that God cares about our pain and He wants what is best for us. If you are considering divorce, seek counsel from your pastor or a godly friend who can help you make the best decision for your situation.
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