Jesus Teaches about Divorce

Bible Study Lesson from Matthew 5:31-32

Divorce - a common word these days as at least half the marriages taking place right now will end in a matter of years, or months. Jesus did not take divorce lightly and neither should we.

5:31 "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.'

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."

Jesus Teaches about Divorce

This passage from Matthew deals with divorce. How do people view it? There seems to be a difference (in peoples minds) between "big" sins and "little" sins.

A little sin is like that white lie you told to your hairdresser when you didn't want to keep the appointment or a little omission on your income tax return. Those sins may seem small but are still sin in God's eyes. One of the big sins is divorce which is the topic today.

What is Divorce?

Wikipedia tm describes divorce as ...

"the final termination of a marriage, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between two persons. In most countries, divorce requires the sanction of a judge or other authority in a legal process to complete a divorce. A divorce does not declare a marriage null and void, as in an annulment, but divorce cancels the marital status of the parties, allowing them to marry another."

Divorce Affects Families

Sounds a bit cold and legal, doesn't it? In truth, divorce is a painful situation for all involved. It affects the husband, wife, children (sometimes grandchildren), the parents on each side, friends, and the list goes on. So, divorce is not only the separation of the couple, but the separation of the family as a whole in many cases.

You may well know divorce is just as hurtful and destructive today as in Jesus' day. God intends marriage to be a lifetime commitment (Genesis 2:24). Marriage is a fragile thing, especially in today's world of hustle and bustle, kids, money and career conflicts.

Quick Decisions

As I was reading this passage I thought to myself; Any two idiots can get themselves married. All it takes is a blood test, a license and some sort of ceremony and viola', they're hitched!

Although it is easy to get married, staying married is another matter all together. It takes work, commitment and unending love for one another to make a marriage last a lifetime. Let's face it, a marriage that lasts for 25, 30 or 50 years is a miracle!

Is It Too Early to Consider Divorce?

When entering into marriage, people should never consider divorce as a first option for solving problems or a way out of a relationship that seems dead. There are some exceptions to this as in the case of abuse. Dr. Brooks Walker talks in detail about abusive relationships and I suggest reading it for a Biblical perspective if you find yourself in this situation.

www.makingchristknown.com/divorce-abuse.htm

Be Careful of the Reasons

In these verses, Jesus is also attacking those who purposefully abuse the marriage contract, using divorce to satisfy their lustful desire to marry someone else. Are your actions today helping your marriage grow stronger, or are they tearing it apart?

Jesus said that divorce is not permissible except for unfaithfulness. This does not mean that divorce should automatically occur when a spouse commits adultery. The word translated 'unfaithfulness' implies a sexually immoral lifestyle, not a confessed and repented act of adultery.

Forgiveness

Those who discover that their partner has been unfaithful should first make every effort to forgive, reconcile, and restore their relationship. We should always look for reasons to bring back the marriage relationship rather than find excuses to leave it.

Try to Make It Work

If you and your spouse are having trouble in your marriage, first exhaust all alternatives for divorce including professional counseling but first and foremost pray to God for answers. He will hear you and reveal solutions you haven't considered if you ask Him.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Matthew 5:27-30 - Jesus Teaches about Lust - Many people don't like to admit it but lust and infidelity has ruined more relationships than any other except for finance. We all have feelings about adultery from time to time but most don't realize that thinking is the same as acting in God's eyes. Read this Baptist lesson from Matthew and listen to what Jesus says about lust.