Question:
Are there really any grounds for divorce in the Bible? I’ve read so many different opinions on this. If you are a Christian and you have gotten a divorce and remarried a non-christian, how do you make it right with God beyond asking for forgiveness?
Answer:
You are correct, there are all sorts of opinions, twists and man-made ideas about what God says concerning divorce. So let’s cut through all that and just see what the Bible says. Let it simply speak for itself and resist all the double speak and twelve dollar explanations that want to convince people that the Bible doesn’t really mean what it says.
God’s original idea for marriage:
Matthew 19:5-6 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and 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.” (NKJV)
God hates divorce:
Malachi 2:16 “For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the Lord of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.” (NKJV)
Jesus says:
Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. (NKJV)
Adultery destroys the covenant of marriage, and anyone who marries someone who is divorced except for Jesus’ exclusion of adultery, commits adultery (literally fornication).
Even in the case of adultery, divorce is not automatic, and should not be a first choice. But because of the hardness of the sinful human heart who has destroyed the marriage covenant with infidelity:
Matthew 19:8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. (NKJV)
The Apostle Paul, inspired by God, allowed one other reason for divorce:
1 Corinthians 7:13-15 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. (NKJV)
If you are abandoned by an unbelieving spouse, divorce is allowed.
In all cases, divorce should be a last resort and the marriage covenant restored when possible.
It’s as simple as that. The Bible could not be clearer on the subject, and is PERFECTLY clear… until people get a hold of it with a predetermined agenda.
As for what you can do if you have sinned in this area OTHER than asking for forgiveness. Nothing. Once you are forgiven, then it is as if the sin never happened.
Psalm 103:11-12 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (NKJV)
However, Jesus gives the repentant sinner one final piece of advice:
John 8:11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (NKJV)