The Harsh Reality Of Divorce
"Dear Dr. Belanger, Thank you
for your teaching ministry. I
need insight and prayer. My
husband has cheated on me with
another woman. He has asked me to
forgive him and to try to work
things out. I feel so betrayed
and bitter. I desire a
divorce. But deep down in my
heart I want to do God's will.
Do I have grounds for divorce based
on Matthew 19... Or should I trust
the Lord to heal my broken heart and
marriage? Thank you.
Your Sister In Christ, L.S.,
Florida "
Many
Christians are continually having mari
tal
difficulties serious enough to
contemplate divorcing. Among all other
sins, divorce is one of the most
impacting negative influences on the
family, society and within the Church.
This is why divorce was never part of
God's perfect plan to resolve
difficulties within marriages.
From a
biblical perspective, divorce is
permitted in cases of infidelity but is
never prescribed in God's Word under any
circumstance. Divorce is permitted
because of the hardness of one's heart
toward their spouse (Matthew
19:8). One's heart can become
so bitter resulting in hardness (void
of vitality, stiff, unbendable) that
reconciling is nearly impossible due to
the cause and reaction to the cause of
the
marital breakdown.
While
divorce appears to be allowable, it is
never prescribed nor encouraged in
scripture. And for good reason.
The damage alone from divorce is often
un-ending. A Christian who
contemplates divorce should be very
careful in acting out their desire to
dissolve a marriage, fully understanding
the life long consequences of such an
action. God used the experience of
the prophet Hosea who was married to an
habitually unfaithful wife and why
divorce would be detrimental for both
parties. Even with full knowledge
of his wife's infidelity; Hosea waited
for his wife to repent... illustrating
that God was long-suffering, not willing
that any should perish.
The
answer to any difficulty that a marriage
may be consumed by is found in and by
God's Word. Only Christ can truly
empathize with the intense emotion that
one experiences from the hurt realized
by an un-faithful spouse. And as
demonstrated in the book of Hosea, the
prospect of healing and hope is very
real. Healing begins and continues
with meditation on God's mercy and
forgiveness. As difficult as it is
for one to reconcile emotionally,
physically and spiritually to
their spouse... if they purpose to
glorify God... they will find
the grace and hope to reconcile (Hebrews
4:16). God is able.
Need
biblical counseling to help restore your
marriage?
Click Here...
Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger
Back To Q & A
Invitation
To Christ - Copyright © 2008