What Does The Bible Say About Divorce & Remarriage
If your opinion about anything contradicts Gods Word, guess which one is wrong? Rick Warren
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
What does the Bible say about marriage? Marriage is created by God as lifelong institution between a man and a woman, rooted in creation, with a significance that shows in its comparison to Christs relationship with the church . Today marriage is often defined by the emerging trends, understandings, feelings, and opinions of the culture rather than the transcendent, immutable, and eternal truth found described by the God who created it. This change in understanding and practice has led to an overwhelming amount of marriages ending in divorce and resulting in remarriage. Although many sociological, psychological, economic, emotional, and man-centered rationales may be created to explain and justify the practice of divorce and remarriage, the Christian perspective and practice must be rooted in a balanced and holistic application of biblical theology.
What the Bible say about remarriage after the death of a spouse? God clearly permits remarriage after the death of a spouse and actually encourages remarriage for younger widows . The only qualification for the remarriage of a widow is that the new spouse must be a Christian .
What about my happiness? How can I be happy if I am divorced and never remarried?
How can I resist lust if I am divorced and not remarried?
SCRIPTURES ON DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE
Gods Children Live Forever
But what is most interesting is what Jesus said about divorce.
Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection and they asked him, saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a mans brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage but are as the angels which are in heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
Purpose #: To Multiply A Godly Legacy
Gods original plan called for the home to be a sort of greenhousea nurturing place where children grow up to learn character, values, and integrity. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 tells us, These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
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Does Spousal Abuse Justify A Divorce
Ask a Question!NewsletterQuestion:
Answer: Before tackling your question on spousal abuse in the Bible, something must be said about divorce. Jesus stated that it is because of the hardness of people’s hearts that God allowed divorce in the first place . God is looking for a commitment from people whom He has called to His way of life. Unfortunately, we live in a throw-away society where if something does not immediately work we toss it out. We should do all we possibly can to have both spouses try to save a marriage.
That said, in the case of spousal abuse, we must also consider that our bodies and minds are the temple of God. One should not remain in an abusive home if at all possible. Physical, mental or emotional mistreatment in any marriage is unacceptable.
The New Covenant is the agreement God offers man so that he can live forever. He looks at the temple of our hearts and minds and welcomes those who by their conscience have been keeping themselves separate from sin and Satan the devil. This separation includes honoring our spouse as our heavenly Father wants us to do.
Our Father commands us to be holy, pure, and not to defile ourselves with sin . When a person is converted they are willing to keep a commitment to him and walk in His ways . True Christians must put him first in their life .
The Three Views On Divorce & Remarriage
With divorce being as common as it is in our day and age, remarriage is also something that is common because of divorce.
With both of these being situations, we will encounter during our lives whether firsthand, by a friend, or a family member due to the high divorce rate.
We must ensure that we are aware of the three different views of divorce and remarriage so that we are appropriately applying what the Bible says regarding divorce and remarriage.
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Is Divorced Required In Each Of The Above Listed Cases
The Pharisees thought that divorce was required and commanded in the Scriptures, but Jesus sets them straight. In Matthew 19:7 the Pharisees challenged Jesus saying: Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away? .
Jesus corrected them saying: Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so .
The Bible does not command divorce it permits, regulates and limits divorce. The Bible allows divorce in certain situations because of the hardness of human hearts. Hard hearts cause people to persist in sin and hard hearts make it hard to forgive others but becoming a Christian is about getting a new heart a soft heart filled with the Holy Spirit. Such a heart is capable of change in the direction of Jesus Christ and is capable of forgiving a brother or a sister of even the most grievous of sins.
Therefore, there really is no reason for two legitimately born again Christians to ever get divorced. By the grace of God they can change and they can forgive.
But because of the hardness of hearts because some professed believers are not truly born again a spouse may persist in sexual sin or a spouse may not wish to be married to a true believer in such cases, the believer is not bound. He or she is free to remarry thanks be to God!
Pastor Paul Carter
Paul
More By Paul
How Do I Read The Bible
In this video, Dieula offers some advice.
Different people read it different ways. And thats totally fine. Want to find the best way for you?
Some people dig into a single verse and try to think of a million things it might mean. Others read it just like they would read any other book, cover to cover. Others read it out loud, by themselves or with a group, which often helps them understand the words and meanings better. But, honestly, if you just want to read the Bible, then read it. Hunker down in a comfy chair and read a whole chapter or two. Try to wrap your head around the big story.
Some tips: Find a translation of the Bible that speaks to you. There are dozens of versions available now, and most of them are faithful to the original languages. Some sound like Shakespeare. Some sound like everyday conversation. Try a few out and see what grabs you.
You dont have to read the whole Bible from beginning to end. There are a few parts that some readers find tough going, and those could derail your best intentions. Try skipping around to find the stories that interest you. We suggest Genesis, Exodus, Ruth, 1 Samuel, Daniel, Jonah, or one of the four books about Jesuss lifeMatthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
After youve read a few stories, try reading a complete letter from the New Testamentlike maybe the four chapters of Philippians or the five chapters of James. Read a Psalm out loud. Or go through Song of Songs with your significant other.
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Bible Verses About Divorce To Comfort Those Who Are Suffering
Christianity is a forgiving religion.
There are many turn the other cheek Christian tenets. As such, apart from not condemning people who are going through a divorce, even if its seen as a sin, Good Christians are expected to extend a helping hand to them.
Here are some Biblical verses that can help people cope with their ordeal.
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning
It means that even if God is angry at you for sinning, he is willing to accept you as long as you repent.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future .
It means that according to Gods plan, He does not want you to suffer after a divorce and good things will come to you in the future.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
God can do all things, including end worldly suffering if you just open up your heart to him.
You are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you.
After a divorce, a person may feel that there is no love in the world or that they dont deserve it. God still loves them.
These verses can help people cope with the anxieties that they may come with adultery, separation, and divorce. What does the Bible say about divorce? It shouldnt happen, but when it does, God still loves you, so offer yourself to him and good things will follow.
A God Continues To Hold Such People Obligatedto Honor The Commitment Of Their Previous Marriage Covenant Itfollows That Every Sexual Union In The Present Marriage Isadultery
It follows that the only way such a person can be a faithfulChristian is to give up the husband-wife relationship, includingsexual relations, with their present companion.
Malachi 2:14-16 Marriage is a covenant relation which Godwitnesses and holds people accountable to honor. .
Hebrews 13:4 The sexual union is lawful onlywith the one person with whom we have a valid marriage covenant.In any other case it is fornication.
Romans 7:2,3 The marriage covenant commits aperson to his/her companion for life. Anytime our companion isalive, if we have a marriage relationship with someone else, we are guilty of adultery . Note that the firstmarriage commitment continues as long as the first companion isalive, not just until baptism.
Matthew 19:3-9 God joins a man and woman in the marriagecovenant, and man has no right to set it aside. If a man tries toset it aside, God still holds him to it, so his subsequentmarriage is adulterous.
1 Corinthians 7:10,11,2-5 A person should not divorce his/hercompanion. But what should one do if he is already divorced? Onlytwo choices are available remain unmarried or else bereconciled to our true companion.
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Mental Abuse In Marriage
Some may ask about this, what does the bible say about abuse? Is mental abuse a Biblical reason for divorce?
Lets dig deeper into this. As there may not be a direct verse about this, there are however instances where clearly, its allowed to be an exemption.
Lets refer back to the verse where it is said that man and woman will become one as they are married. Now, if one of the spouses is an abuser, then he doesnt have respect to their united body as husband and wife and we must clearly remember that our body is considered as the temple of God. So, in this case, the spouse will need psychiatric help and divorce may be granted.
Remember, God doesnt agree about divorce but he also doesnt agree about violence.
In these cases, such as Biblical reasons for divorce abandonment divorce will be granted. Every situation has its exemption even if its about Biblical reasons for divorce.
At The Heart Of Every Passage On Divorce Is The Desire Of God For Us To Keep Our Lives Pure
God doesnt want us to break the commandment that says you shall not commit adultery because he knows how much damage that does. Dismissively discarding someone leads to adultery. When the disciples asked Jesus why divorce isnt OK except for in instances of adultery, he said that its because anyone who divorces and marries another commits adultery. Its always about adultery and being careful not breaking that commandment. The certificate of divorce eliminates the sin of adultery, making the separation legal .
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So What Does The Bible Say About Divorce
Well, a lot actually.
For starters, divorce is NOT a new thing. With the evolution of technology and temptation, many tend to think that divorce is something that more recent generations have turned to in their desire to escape the trials of this world.
The reality is that, because sin exists in this world, man has always had a way to escape their circumstancedivorce being one of them.
How Can Divorce Be Loving
It is the final act of giving someone the freedom that comes with love. It is a willingness to give up all of your hopes and dreams for your own life, marriage, and family, and submit to what your husband wants. What he really wants.
How can we know what he wants? A healthy person who is about to lose the one they promised to love and cherish, upon learning that the harm he is inflicting is causing a permanent rift in the relationship, would say I dont want this to happen. What can I do to fix this?!
But if its gotten this far. If there have been consequences all along the way, starting small and becoming more significant , then we already know that his heart isnt in it. He doesnt want you. If he did, hed have done something by now about the harm hes doing.
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What The Bible Actually Says About Divorce
Instone-Brewer argues that Jesus not only defended the true meaning of Deuteronomy 24:1 but also accepted what the rest of the Old Testament taught on divorce. Exodus taught that everyone had three rights within marriage the rights to food, clothing, and love. Paul taught the same thing: married couples owe each other love and material support . If these rights were neglected, the wronged spouse had the right to seek a divorce. Abuse, an extreme form of neglect, also was grounds for divorce. There was debate on whether or not abandonment was grounds for divorce, so Paul dealt with it. He wrote that believers may not abandon their partners and, if they have done so, they should return . If someone is abandoned by an unbeliever, or a spouse who will not obey the command to return, then the abandoned person is “no longer bound.”
The Old Testament allows for, and the New Testament affirms, the following grounds for divorce:
- Emotional and physical neglect
- Abandonment and abuse
Of course, having grounds for divorce does not mean that one should divorce. God hates divorce, and for good reason. It can be devastating for all involved, and the negative effects can last for years. Divorce always should be a last resort. But God does allow for divorce in some cases when marriage vows are broken.-What the Bible Actually Says about Divorce section excerpted from What the Bible Says about Divorce: A Guide for Men by Chris Bolinger on Crosswalk.com.
Remarriage Is Not Gods Will
But the Bible also provides clear rules for people who have already been divorced. Someone who is divorced should either be reconciled with their ex-spouse or remain alone. But he shouldnt look for a new partner. Remarriage is actually not a thing according to the Bible. In fact it is forbidden.
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress.
Paul said that a woman is bound to her husband only as long as he lives. If he dies, she will be allowed to marry another man. But only if it is in accordance with Gods will.
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will only in the Lord. But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
But Paul also said that it is better if a widow remains alone after the death of her husband and does not marry again. For who shows greater love and loyalty to his partner? The one who remains alone after the partner dies or the one who marries another person after the partner dies? And facing eternal life, wouldnt remarriage be wrong anyway?
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