Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 2 Feb, 2012 11:28 PM
Thanks to a question about divorce and remarriage posted on another thread, I felt the need to address those on this site who may be suffering from the weight of guilt and condemnation heaped on them because of their reasons for divorce.
I wrote the following article, "The Stone Thrower", based on actual instances that happened on this site. If you are one of those who have been ostracized by others for having an "Unbiblical Divorce," please take the time to read. May it minister to your heart.
The Stone Thrower
I want to touch on a subject today that has long been regarded in Christendom as taboo . . . and that is . . . DIVORCE. Mention that word around some Christians and their hackles suddenly go up on the back of their neck. They pull out their proverbial stones ready to put to death anyone who they think has been un-biblically divorced. And to my shame, I was one of them�a stone thrower.
We all know the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:3-11. The scribes and Pharisees (the religious self-righteous) had arrested this woman and dragged her before Jesus. One has to wonder how these Pharisees caught such a woman "in the very act" of adultery. How convenient for them. It's amazing the depths of depravity the self-righteous will sink to in order to defend their religious arguments. Did they have the paparazzi spy on her to get some juicy pictures for the whole world to see?
At any rate, they dragged this poor woman in front of Jesus and proudly proclaimed, "Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" (John 8:5)
Zowie!! These men can quote the Word of God . . . at least the parts that suit their fancy.
I like our Lord's reaction. "But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear" (John 8:6b).
Don't you just love it when someone ignores you . . . especially when you're trying to win an argument? But the self-righteous rarely lie down without a fight, and those religious Pharisees were determined to prove that they had the "truth." So they continued pestering Jesus, knowing that the Law of Moses was on their side. It's not a good idea to pester Jesus, especially when it comes to "pointing a finger" at someone.
"So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, 'He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.' And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst" (John 8:7-9).
This introductory story of the woman caught in adultery has a purpose: I wanted you to have a glimpse of the mentality of a "stone thrower." They are usually self-righteous, ready to condemn, and can quote the Word of God. Ouch . . . I just described me.
I had a clear cut answer for the reasons one might give to justify divorce which I thought was quite Biblical. And in my mind, there was only one reason . . . "But I say to you, that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except for sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery" (Matthew 5:32). There you have it�plain and simple. Who could argue with such a statement? It is the Word of God! I thought I had the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth . . . yet the truth is . . . I was ignorant of the ways of God. "For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13).
And it was in my ignorance to God's ways that I threw stones at the divorced ladies on a Christian dating site some time ago. As a widower, I was on this site looking for a prospective wife. I was so appalled at the amount of women who were divorced on this site whose reasons for separating from their husbands did not match my view of scripture. In order to protect myself from these "contaminated souls," I purposely wrote something in my profile for those that I would consider as wife material: "You may be single, widowed, or divorced (must be for Biblical reasons only)."
When I would communicate with these divorced ladies, I would immediately ask them to provide details on the reason for their divorce. If they could not give me an answer of infidelity as the reason for their divorce, then I considered them unmarriageable. Yet God has a way of grabbing His child's attention when that child is in error.
One of the ladies on this dating site told me her story of divorce after I demanded it. Her husband was deep in bondage to pornography and had no interest whatsoever in repentance. The man had not physically hopped into bed with another woman, and so in my self-righteousness, I condemned the poor wife for wanting to opt out on the marriage. And the "stones" that I threw created fresh wounds in her heart while she recounted those painful memories of her husband's infidelity as he lusted after porn. According to Jesus' own words, her husband WAS GUILTY of adultery: "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). I ignored that scripture and concentrated only on Matthew 5:32. She lashed out at me, saying that she was glad Jesus did not condemn her even if I did. I have to admit, I was shaken by her story which moved me to tears.
Then there was another lady whom I demanded to give an account for her divorce. I threw "stones" at her as well when she could not give me a reason of infidelity for her separation. In bitter anger, she struck back at me, stating how her husband had broken her nose and physically abused her. I ignored the scripture which reads, "But God has called us to peace" (1 Corinthians 7:15b) and concentrated again on Matthew 5:32. However, her story bothered me very much just like the other woman's.
I began to seek God earnestly. These were only two of the many ladies who shared with me their heartbreaking stories of divorce. There were so many reasons given for divorce and none of them fell under sexual immorality (fornication) as I saw it. I sincerely asked the Lord to open my eyes. Was there any scriptural evidence to support these women's choices to opt out of a marriage other than infidelity? Yes, there was.
God led me to Matthew 19:3-12. The Pharisees were looking for a reason to trap Jesus in His words. Their previous scheme had not worked with the woman caught in adultery. However, if they could just get Jesus to say something contradictory to the Law of Moses, then they could brand Him as a heretic. So they asked Jesus this question, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" (Matthew 19:3b)
Jesus' answer was, and still is, God's original intention for marriage: "Have you not read . . . the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate" (Matthew 19:5b-6).
The Pharisees did not like His answer. For Jesus had taken them right back to Genesis before there ever was a Moses or a Law of Moses so that they could hear what GOD SAYS about marriage. Yet the stiff-necked Pharisees persisted with another question: "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" (Matthew 19:7)
Jesus responds, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so" (Matthew 19:8).
The self-righteous Pharisees were using the Law of Moses as an excuse to bail out on marriages for any flippant reason. And because of this, the Lord had some very strong words for them. "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery" (Matthew 19:9).
I can just hear the stone throwers shouting, "See, I told you . . . it's right there in the word . . . 'sexual immorality!'"
Wait a minute. Like Paul Harvey, let's hear "the rest of the story" before jumping to any conclusions. After verse 9 comes verse 10. Even Jesus' disciples, which would include us, were amazed at the words of Jesus. "His disciples said to Him, 'If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry'" (Matthew 19:10). Yeah, I can see their point. If sexual immorality (fornication) is the only reason for divorce, then perhaps we are better off not getting married.
But look at Jesus' response to his own disciples in verse 11. It stands to reason that if the disciples' statement was true, then Jesus would have said something to affirm it as such. He does not!
"But He said to them, 'All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given'" (Matthew 19:11).
What saying? The saying in verse 9 of course. NOT ALL can accept the saying that fornication is the ONLY reason for divorce.
Now notice that Jesus goes on to explain what He meant with the following verse:
"For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it" (Matthew 19:12).
What did Jesus mean by this? He tells us that three different men all became eunuchs for different reasons. One was born a eunuch, another was made a eunuch by men, and still another made himself that way for the kingdom of heaven. They all became eunuchs for different reasons, but who is to say which eunuch is "God approved"? God accepted them all. That's the point!
Likewise, there are many reasons someone might seek a divorce: physical and verbal abuse from a spouse . . . being married to an unbeliever who makes life a literal hell . . . marital unfaithfulness . . . the stress of being married to an alcoholic for 23 years . . . or living with a pornographer who refuses to repent. Which one of these reasons for divorce is "God approved"? That's the point Jesus was making. Just as the eunuchs were acceptable to God regardless of how they became a eunuch, so also is a woman acceptable to God who seeks to be free from an abusive husband, even if infidelity is not involved. You and I cannot see in the heart of that abused person . . . but God can. For God has called them to peace.
And the church has done more harm counselling emotionally and physically battered women to stay in a relationship citing Matthew 5:32 "except for sexual immorality" as the only just cause for divorce. Women have actually committed suicide and murder under the stress of remaining in an abusive situation because their legalistic church counseled them to do so.
You may have heard of the case in the U.S. where a lady killed her husband (a pastor) who had been abusing her for years. God had called her to peace . . . but she never knew it, and one day she snapped. The evidence of abuse was so overwhelming that the courts found this woman not guilty of murder by reason of insanity.
I certainly do not want to imply that people should take their marriage so lightly as to divorce for every whim and fancy. I would not condone that, and neither does the Word of God. Every marriage will have its share of problems which can be worked out with God's help by two committed individuals. Yet there are some women, especially those suffering physical and mental abuse, who have reached the tipping point of no return; and the only thing they can do to preserve their sanity is to get out of that marriage. And ultimately, it is to the Lord they answer to, not you or me. He has called them to peace.
After God opened my eyes to the truth of scripture, I contacted those ladies on the dating site who I had thrown "stones" at and apologized profusely. I was truly grieved that I had been so self-righteous and blind, wounding those precious sisters for whom Christ died.
Now back to the story that I began with. The "stone throwers" had already dropped their rocks and left the scene with a guilty conscience, leaving Jesus alone with the adulterous woman.
"He said to her, 'Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?'"
"She said, 'No one, Lord.'"
"And Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more'" (John 8:10b-11).
HALLELUJAH�MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT!!!
Blessings in Christ Jesus,
Paul Janz
(All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version.)
"The Stone Thrower" Copyright � 2010 by Paul Janz.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 24 Nov, 2013 11:59 PM
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
***** Did Moses really give the law? No, God gave the law through Moses. �Moses didn't any of it up. �The laws regarding divorce were given through Moses...why because of the hardness of man's heart, that would be sin of man.
*****
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.�
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.�
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.�
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:�
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient:all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?�
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,�
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 �The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:�
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint- heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,�
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.�
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
�John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,�
17 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 25 Nov, 2013 12:01 AM
IWA wrote:"�Yet, now you charge me with being the one who causes all of the contention. You charge me as a heretic. The issue is that the "majority position" here simply will not tolerate invasion into their comfort zone of "group think". It's very clear who the intolerant people are here. You all need to drop your stones and simply go back and study your Bibles. If you cannot hang in theological discussions, then you ought to leave this area of the forum quietly and come back when you can. "
"The point is to illustrate practical examples of how deception and evil operate."
******
Yes, you give an excellent example of how deception and evil operate in many of your posts. �Yes, it is very clear who the intolerant people are...post after post accusing others of getting off topic but doing the same thing when the discussion doesn't go your way.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 25 Nov, 2013 12:04 AM
2 Timothy 3:5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 3:8-13
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 25 Nov, 2013 12:05 AM
2 Timothy 3:14-17
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 4:17-18
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 25 Nov, 2013 12:16 AM
Matthew 4:1��Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.�
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.�
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.�
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.�
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,�
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.�
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.�
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;�
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
810 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 25 Nov, 2013 04:42 AM
Teach, all those verses you posted are true in their proper context. Yet you haven't explained how the warning passages fit in for they are in the NT bible too and you even quoted some. I can appreciate your attentiveness to scripture but someone can quote verses all day long and try and convince themselves and everyone else that they are going to heaven still even in an unscriptual marriage. I have seen this before...... (I know you're not married you admitted before in an earlier post that you may not can marry) But my point is I have seen in counseling and one on one the adulterers I had to rebuke quoted all those verses too like trying to convince themselves they were still saved and going to heaven....... Yet Revelation 21 vs 8 said no adulterer (willful practicing will be in the kingdom no matter what they quote or believe} if still in their sin of adultery rather with boyfriend or marrying. This is what the word says I'm just quoting it Matthew 19 and Hebrews 10 vbs 26 and (Hebrews 13 vs 4.) In Hebrews 13 vs 4 it is the only sin (adultery and fornicators) is the only sin Yahweh says He will judge in the here and now as well as the world to come................ He doesn't say this about any other sin. That's because it's Idolatry and the worst sin and the breaking of a covenant which is binding ..........
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 25 Nov, 2013 04:58 AM
Teach, also I suggest you read and study what I posted about who is actually under the law in my earlier post. I think you will find how it explains how the warning passages fit in with the promise scriptures. It is nothing but scripture answering scripture and some great Men of Yahweh from the assemblies that I am associated with. I don't know what denomination you are involved in- BUT AS FOR US WE TAKE ON ANY TOPIC BECAUSE WE ARE TRUTH SEEKERS AND WANT ONLY THE TRUTH. THe once saved always saved teaching churches won't even quote the warning passages form the pulpit. Why is that? These verses are as much as part of the bible as any promise scriptures and just as powerful! The fact churches won't teach them shows me their error. The whole word of Yahweh is profitable for reproof, rebuke, and correction. I have even read those that had NDE talk about what they saw when they passed on and it was scarey for backsliders and willful sinners. Freewill always will exist and people can walk away from Messiah. No one can take us out. But we can by rebellion and it is even explained in detail in Ezekiel 18. If you don't look into it that's on you......... If your denomination's doctrine is wrong as well as your own you will be in trouble on judgement day if you abide in a willful sin as will any of us myself included. That's why we need to make sure of what exactly Messiah said while there's breath and life in our bodies.......... When we leave them we want every sin under the Blood of Yahushua!!!!!!!!!!! Just being informative not judgemental............
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 25 Nov, 2013 07:46 AM
This is a show. It's how her game is played. Notice, what I said, "Time to make yourself appear righteous by posting a bunch of off-topic Scripture again? ". Then, please notice what she did, she posted a bunch of off-topic Scripture.
Since she could not stand behind her FALSE witness. She must try to divert the attention in some other direction.
Her standard m.o. is to ignore what's being said to her and post a bunch of Scripture to appear righteous. Then if you challenge her to answer the original questions or to stay on the topic, she will follow up with some ridiculous claim that "you don't like Scripture" or "all she did was post Scripture and you are offended by the word of God" and so on.
The devil also can quote Scripture but he perverts it in the same way that she does. What does this tell you?
She thinks nothing of bearing false witness against the b'nai ha-elohim. What does this tell you? What spirit does this? Does this reveal what spirit she is of and who her true father is?
She will not read and nor seek to comprehend anything that you tell her. It will be an endless debate where she will seek to instruct you and draw you away from the Truth of the Scriptures. Against the Word, she follows the pattern of the Jezebel of Revelation. She loves to assert authority over men. What does the Scripture say about a woman teaching a man? Why does she operate in open rebellion against the creation order? Why doesn't she honor the head? Why doesn't she heed these commands?
She will take you away from the topic at hand by twisting and manipulating what's being said. She loves contention and strife. What does Proverbs say about a woman like this?
If it slithers all over the place, it's a snake. :devil:
She said, " I answer to God." Yes, she will now answer to God for it is written "Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." (Ps 105:15)
On this day, November 25, 2013, I record heaven and earth to witness against her. I ask you Father to honor her words, "I answer to God" and reward her according to her words and her deeds. In the name of Yahshua.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 25 Nov, 2013 07:52 AM
Any further FALSE witness against me will be reported to the admin staff here. This is a very serious matter. It is slander and will not be tolerated any further. It is NOT truth since it has not been and cannot be substantiated with any evidence. It is insulting and a violation of the forum policy that states, " Insults WILL NOT BE TOLERATED HERE. If you are found to be in violation of these terms, your profile will be deleted and you will be banned from the site"
