Some believe, as stated in the Bible, that there are two biblical reasons for divorce:
1. Adultery (Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9).
2. Abandonment by an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:15).
Although these should be the only reasons for divorce, are there any other reasons that you can think of that would cause you to divorce your spouse (or future spouse)?
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June 17th, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Biblically? Nope, but in my opinion things such as rape and abuse more than once would be a grounds for divorce.
June 18th, 2009 at 5:46 PM
The Lord says we are NOT to divorce. In Matthew, Jesus does not say that it is OK to divorce even because of unchastity He says “if” you divorce for that reason, she has already committed adultery and you will not be causing her to commit adultery. Corinthians specifically says that if either spouse is a non-believer they are NOT to divorce them.
God specifically says, more than once that what He has joined together no man shall separate. In fact, he stresses forgiveness and reconciliation. Think Hosea and David.
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:36 AM
I cannot answer for what is right or wrong, but there is no other reason that I would divorce my spouse. In fact, I would not divorce for any reason. However, my situation is excellent, and its very easy for me to write these words.
What we need to remember is that Jesus taught us a worldview in which we surrender our lives to God. If we go to Him for every decision we can be assured that we are living where God wants us. If we would willingly follow the leadership of the Spirit to a mission in Kenya, why would we not be just as obedient with our spouses? If God led you to marry a person, shouldn’t you be obedient? Aren’t we supposed to trust God?
If one takes the time to read books like “Jesus Freaks” or “Tortured for Christ,” it becomes clear that we are not all going to be called to serve in comfortable situations.
At the end of the day, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” We need to get through our own life as best we can, and we aren’t called to monitor what everyone else is doing in the secret lives of their marriages. I can only watch the piece of road where my own foot is about to step.
“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:37 AM
I would do my best to refrain from divorce at all costs. At this moment, I cannot say what would make me divorce a spouse, or future spouse, simply because I am not in that situation thus far.
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Great responses so far everyone! Looking forward to more questions and responses
God bless,
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June 24th, 2009 at 11:50 PM
As I read the comments about divorce it saddens me to see that those that have a strong rejection to divorce reflect minimal compassion. Many people that have gone through a divorce have a relationship with the Lord. It is not an easy choice to make as you would for a value meal in a drive through. It is not a casual choice that someone makes just to fill their life with adversity (agony, pain, financial strains, etc). Many Christians do ask the Lord for guidance/discernment which makes the situation more unbearable or confusing, not because one wants to go against God, but for many other reasons that inflict and feed the soreness of the situation.
Many are quick to turn to Romans, 1 Corinthians, or any scripture to tackle divorce. However, there is also scripture where God gives redemption and He also is sorrowed when one of His children are afflicted. There is no scripture where God clearly states He is OK with people causing torment to His children (such as any degree of physical, sexual, mental, emotional, financial abuse) or disregarding a marriage (to name a few adultery/extra marital affairs, putting ungodly things or time as priority, or walking out). I’m just glad the Lord is a forgiving God and gives us opportunities to come back to Him despite of our actions, choices, and consequences.
Furthermore, all of us have fallen short from God’s grace, including those that have strong opposition to divorce. No one is perfect and that includes choices. Pain and suffering is part of life, but also learning from experiences and consequences of our choices is key whether it be to build a stronger relationship with God, for someone else to establish a relationship with or get to know the Lord, for perseverance, or for whatever reason God wants it to be.
My personal belief for divorce is not either for it or against it. I do not think anyone can say if it is right or wrong until each one of us are face to face with God one day. Perhaps if our concentration is solely focused on what God wants us to individually do with our lives instead of pointing fingers or trying to do His job it would affect our choices for the better. Life is hard and it was intended that way…and so are choices. I say live and let live and God takes care of the rest; all we can do is pray.
All of us have beliefs that form and reflect who we are. I think it is marvelous of God to make us that way. However, after writing all of this a question came up in my mind. While people have beliefs, are we not to reflect God’s love and strive to bring those with afflictions BACK HOME to Him instead of rejecting them?
June 25th, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Wow! As I read the comments about divorce it saddens me to see that those that have a strong rejection to divorce reflect minimal compassion. Many people that have gone through a divorce have a relationship with the Lord. It is not an easy choice to make as you would for a value meal in a drive through. It is not a casual choice that someone makes just to fill their life with adversity (agony, pain, financial strains, etc). Many Christians do ask the Lord for guidance/discernment which makes the situation more unbearable or confusing, not because one wants to go against God, but for many other reasons that inflict and feed the soreness of the situation.
Many are quick to turn to Romans, 1 Corinthians, or any scripture to tackle divorce. However, there is also scripture where God gives redemption and He also is sorrowed when one of His children are afflicted. There is no scripture where God clearly states He is OK with people causing torment to His children (such as any degree of physical, sexual, mental, emotional, financial abuse) or disregarding a marriage (to name a few adultery/extra marital affairs, putting ungodly things or time as priority, or walking out). I’m just glad the Lord is a forgiving God and gives us opportunities to come back to Him despite of our actions, choices, and consequences.
Furthermore, all of us have fallen short from God’s grace, including those that have strong opposition to divorce. No one is perfect and that includes choices. Pain and suffering is part of life, but also learning from experiences and consequences of our choices is key whether it be to build a stronger relationship with God, for someone else to establish a relationship with or get to know the Lord, for perseverance, or for whatever reason God wants it to be.
My personal belief for divorce is not either for it or against it. I do not think anyone can say if it is right or wrong until each one of us are face to face with God one day. Perhaps if our concentration is solely focused on what God wants us to individually do with our lives instead of pointing fingers or trying to do His job it would affect our choices for the better. Life is hard and it was intended that way…and so are choices. I say live and let live and God takes care of the rest; all we can do is pray.
All of us have beliefs that form and reflect who we are. I think it is marvelous of God to make us that way. However, after writing all of this a question came up in my mind. While people have beliefs, are we not to reflect God’s love and strive to bring those with afflictions BACK HOME to Him instead of rejecting them?
June 25th, 2009 at 11:14 AM
@Blessed Team, I agree that we should definitely try our best to forgive and draw them back to the Lord, instead of rejecting them. Although we are supposed to forgive an infinite amount of times, the problem is that some people may “record” the number of times a person has messed up in their marriage and use that as an excuse to divorce.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:14 PM
I think divorce is acceptable is one partner seriously harms children from a marriage. I mean, that seems right doesn’t it?
August 7th, 2009 at 9:59 PM
abuse and cheating if things can not be changed
August 9th, 2009 at 8:31 PM
My wife left me this week, or actually a few weeks ago, but just told me this week. It started out with her going on “vacation.” Anyways, this has been years in the making. About 3 years ago her family (I believe her mother) made a serious false accusation against me that my wife didn’t know what to believe. She’s siding with her mom. It’s the type of lie that I can’t talk to her and sort things out (I tried, involved police, counselors, pastors and lawyers). Needless to say my life would be a MILLION times easier with a simple divorce. We have no kids, no property and no real dispute on who gets what, etc… BUT, I can’t leave her. From what I’ve read in the Bible is it’s not ok to get divorced. I may not live up to the rest of the Bible, but I’ll abide by my vow. Yes, she left me, so how do I maintain my vow? Well I’m always here for her, even though I don’t think she’ll come waltzing back into my life. But, I guess I just have to have faith. It’s not easy, but it’s all I have….
If she divorces me, I can say that I did everything within my power to honor my word. This lie has damaged my life like no other and it’s hard for me not to hate her family, but if I did that where would it get me?
August 12th, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Broken Man,
Very sorry to hear your troubles. True, God hates divorce, but there are two conditions in which it is permitted:
1. Adultery (Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9).
2. Abandonment by an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:15).
Has your spouse committed the act of adultery? Was she an unbeliever that left you? If any of those two conditions apply then you can divorce her.
You are showing strong devotion to your spouse, and to God, about trying to maintain a successful marriage. We at Get Christian Answers will pray for you, and may God bless you.
August 26th, 2009 at 8:03 PM
I’m quite comfortable supporting the Biblical grounds for divorce being adultery and abandonment by an unbeliever. I’m also quite comfortable laying the responsibility of the decision on the shoulders of the believer as no one else except God has more of the details. As a man who is facing the ‘gutwrenching’ choice of divorce, I can tell you it is no easy decision given a healthy fear of the Lord. Even given Biblical justification there is still measures of grace, mercy, repentance and forgiveness that are also mixed into the soup! Without picking up the Bible I can tell you that the spirit testifies within me as to the greatness of this decision. I will stand before Him to give an account and so will you.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:46 AM
My husband admits to be emotionally unfaithful to me.There was an incident at work where a friend/co-worker expressed feelings for him. This was a difficult time in my husband’s life since his younger brother had just passed away. I knew something was wrong when he began to isolate himself from my daughter and myself. This went on for four months before he admitted his relationship with this woman. We have tried counseling, but quit when my husband decided it was too hard.
During the time he was invovlved with this other woman, he told me that if I were to get pregnant (I did not know of his involvement with this other woman at the time) he was going to leave our daughter, our unborn child, and myself. On a daily basis he tells me I am sick and that I need to see a counselor, He doesn’t think it is normal for me to be so upset by the situation. In addition, when his brother passed away he inherited money and he did not tell me that he recieved the money.
I believe my faith in God has gotten stronger through all of this. I do feel God’s presence in my life, but I really am struggling with the whole idea of what has happenend. I feel like I have been the best wife that I could be to my husband, yet he was interested in someone else. I don’t know what to do.
September 20th, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Hi “Searching for Answer,”
Sorry for the very late reply. We have sent you an email, please check it.
God bless.
January 2nd, 2010 at 12:40 AM
My husband and I were married for ten years. During this time he was physically and emotionally abusive. He looked at pornography and even attempted to video tape our housegueat (without her permission) after she got out of the shower. He was cruel to the children and is an alcoholic. He has left alcohol all over our property where it could have been easily consumed by our kids. I finally had enough and filed for divorce. The divorce is final and I have this horrible weight on my shoulders that I let down God. I didn’t know what else to do. Are any of these situations an excuse for divorce under Gods law? I would really appreciate some advice.
January 2nd, 2010 at 5:14 PM
Hi Kelly,
We have sent you an email, please check it.
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