- Divorce - Permitted or Prescribed?
While divorce appears to be permissible by GOD, it is NEVER PRESCIBED nor encouraged by GOD. And for good reason. The damage alone from divorce is often unending. A Christian who contemplates divorce should be very careful in acting out their desire to dissolve a marriage, fully understanding the lifelong consequences of such an action. Especially once divorced and remarried is a recipe for disaster in most cases. The Bible and societal history reflect such disasters. It's no surprise.
God used the experience of the prophet Hosea who was married to a habitually unfaithful wife and why divorce would be detrimental for both parties. Even with full knowledge of his wife's infidelity, Hosea waited for his wife to repent... illustrating that God was long-suffering, not willing that any should perish.
The answer to any difficulty that a marriage may be consumed by is found in and by God's Word. Only Christ can truly empathize with the intense emotion that one experiences from the hurt realized by an un-faithful spouse. And as demonstrated in the book of Hosea, the prospect of healing and hope is very real. Healing begins and continues with meditation on God's mercy and forgiveness.
As difficult as it is to reconcile emotionally, physically and spiritually to their spouse; if they purpose to glorify God, they will find grace and hope to reconcile (Heb 4:16). It's not complicated. God is able and willing.
Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger
COLLEGE OF THE OPEN BIBLE
B I B L E
COLLEGE @ HOME
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Christians and Divorce - What God Says?
Many Christians are continually having marital difficulties serious enough to contemplate divorcing. Among all other sins, divorce is one of the most impacting negative influences on the family, society and within the Church. This is why divorce was never part of God's perfect plan to resolve difficulties within marriages. This is why GOD says: DON'T GET DIVORCED. But if you do; it's very likely you will repeat a failed marriage again. You can't afford that.
From a biblical perspective, divorce is permitted in cases of infidelity but is never prescribed in God's Word under any circumstance. In cases of infidelity, divorce is permitted because of the hardness of one's heart toward their spouse (Matthew 19:8). One's heart can become so bitter resulting in hardness (void of vitality, stiff, unbendable, unalterable) that reconciling is nearly impossible due to the cause and reaction to the marital breakdown.