Topic: DIVORCE IN MARRIAGE
Bible Reading: Psalm 124-127; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24.
Memory Verse: “And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:” 1 Corinthians 7:10 (KJV)
God created man and saw that he was lonely and needed a partner for fellowship and so created a woman out of his rib. The Bible says in Genesis 2:18 (KJV), “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Having made the woman out of the rib of man, God presented her to Adam (Gen 2:22). And God said in Genesis 2:24 (KJV), “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Becoming one flesh implies complete unification and both husband and wife are expected to do things in unity. Beside helping each other, they are expected to surrender themselves to each other because they have become one. Just like one cannot separate one’s arm or leg from the remaining body, so is the couple not expected to separate from each other. This is why God frowns at divorce. The Lord Jesus says in Matthew 5:32 (KJV), “But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” So the only allowed living reason for a divorce in a Christian marriage is fornication/adultery. The other reason accepted is in case of death. Romans 7:2 (KJV) says, “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.”
However, where an unbelieving spouse willingly departs from the marriage permanently, the spouse that is left is no longer under bondage to the departed spouse and he is free to move on with his life. Beside these reasons, the word of God is very clear in 1 Corinthians 7:10 (KJV), “And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:” If, however, there is domestic abuse, the spouse is allowed to separate from the marriage provided he is not going to marry anyone again until the partner is deceased.
Marriage as ordained by God is a mystery and all those planning to go into it should ensure they search the word and face of God to know the plan of God for them before entering into the contract. It is designed as an everlasting one and as it is often said at the marriage vows, till death do them part.
Though there are a few exceptions particularly where it involves domestic abuse, but generally, patience and love will resolve most issues of marriage particularly if both parties are ready to follow the word of God. He is the author and has the keys to the mystery of Marriage.
Prayer point:
Father, please speak peace into the storms raging in marriages in the name of Jesus Christ.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero