Thread: What are biblical reasons or grounds for divorce?
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What are biblical reasons or grounds for divorce?
Posted : 11 Oct, 2012 04:05 PM
The Bible suggests that �marital unfaithfulness� is the only scriptural reason that warrants God�s permission for divorce and remarriage. Many different interpretations exist among Christian teachings as to the exact definition of "marital unfaithfulness." The Greek word for marital unfaithfulness found in Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9 translates to mean any form of sexual immorality including adultery, prostitution, fornication, pornography, and incest. Since the sexual union is such a crucial part of the marriage covenant, breaking that bond seems to be a permissible, biblical grounds for divorce.
Matthew 5:32
But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. (NIV)
Matthew 19:9
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery. (NIV)
Though you are spot on with most EXCEPT naked pictures /movies or No hands on type stripper clubs, mental dreaming, or viewing other human beings lustfully. ( Context is the biblical grounds for remarriage not just divorce , right ? )
It IS specifically physical sin that warrants adultery.
If you are God's law married ( Not only in Man's paper work or forced sex and so on.... ) then you cannot commit fornication...only adultery.
Please do not invoke Gen. about what God joins together as the sexual act meaning two are married....thats fornication outside of married oaths to the creator. ( I hate being legalistic )
Physical " Sex " happens any time a humans hands /parts go where they are NOT supposed to go. I would say this includes sex with animals as well but I would have to research it.
This is why Paul said in " Cor " that if an Unbelieving spouse " leaves ", she is no longer bound to him.
Context was the physical sexual relations of the pagan religious world with those outside of the partner God joined.
I would say any desired mental or physical sexual unfaithfulness is grounds for divorce. I would also say that as a spouse and supposed best friend and christian, it would be our duty to be understanding and forgiving to whatever degree possible. Just "seeing" something isn't enough though, the person in question would need to actively be desiring to commit sin with whatever he/she(yes, women do it too) was seeing. Even "reading" about it and desiring it would be considered adultery in my opinion. It's not just the physical action, it's the desire to commit sin, and that does not even need a physical action for it to be sin. I would be much more forgiving to a repentant spouse who just "read" or "saw" something though, so I think there are degrees. A thought is not as sinful as an action, but it's all a question of motives and character. I think there are other grounds for separation and/or divorce "legally", but I don't think those grounds are as spiritually safe, for this reason:
"But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."
That's pretty plain and powerful, and from the lips of Jesus. So if there is spousal abuse or unlivable conditions going on, I would just leave and be celibate or something, but still stay "married" somehow...I don't know..that part is a difficult subject for sure.
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
So obviously it works both ways, if someone is married and they hear their partner says they would like to sleep with someone if else if they wasn't married!..they are lusting after someone else which is adultery.
Also if someone is married and they discuss what they believe are their partners flaws with another member of the opposite sex then they commit spiritual adultery.
Adultery is the only one people are talking about. There are other reasons to divorce.
There are also others:
Abuse (Spousal abuse includes emotional, verbal, mental, physical, sexual, or even financial...none of which was EVER intended to be a part of a Godly marriage. Abuse does not show love, honor, or respect for your marriage or your spouse.)
Anger (There is a difference between disagreeing and upset and random fits of explosive anger. Throwing temper tantrums to intimidate or get your way is not showing the love of Christ or the fruit of the Spirit.)
Addictions (Including but not limited to: Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling, Porn or anything else that becomes an Idol to you, which not only destroys your marriage, but goes against God Himself.)
Arrogance (IS PRIDE. We all know who is behind that. Selfishness in a marriage is not okay. It allows the enemy into your heart and into your marriage. This is why people cheat.)
Oh...and for those of you who want scriptures for all of this:
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: �Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall." Found in Matthew, Mark and Luke
A marriage should be a partnership...which means that a couple should stand in agreement in the way they choose to live their life, agree on what they allow in their home, and handle conflicts together in a healthy way.
If one person is not willing to work on the issues and go to counseling, then you can not walk together through life. The house becomes divided and a couple becomes unequally yolked. Therefore, you go against God's Word by trying to stay married to that person.
Your post is exactly why it's so important to search carefully for a Godly partner, know them well, pray over and test their character before marrying them; for 2 Corinthians 6:14.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, after all.
