Nearly one half of all marriages in our country end in divorce. This is one of the clearest signs of decay in our family life. But does the fact that society winks at divorce necessarily prove that God accepts it? What does the Bible say?
In Matthew 19:3 Jesus was asked on what grounds divorce could be obtained. He replied that, inasmuch as God instituted marriage, then God Himself binds a couple in marriage. Therefore, no man has a right to dissolve the marriage. In verse 9 He added: "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." God's view of divorce and remarriage is the same now as at creation: the practice constitutes adultery, unless the divorce is for the cause of fornication. And people who commit adultery must repent and be forgiven in order to enter the kingdom of heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
So, what can we do to stop the flood of divorce? First, we must teach people, especially young people, that the sexual union is proper only in marriage and that marriage is for life (Hebrews 13:4; Romans 7:2,3). They must choose their lifetime companion carefully. Then when problems arise, as they do in all marriages, they must not run to the divorce courts, but must work together to resolve their differences.
The second thing we can do to avoid divorce is to learn and practice God's laws for happy marriage. God created man and woman, and God instituted marriage (Genesis 2:18-24). He knows how to have a happy home, and He tells us how in the Bible. The solution to divorce may not be easy, but nothing worthwhile in life comes easily. That solution can be found in God's word.
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2/5/2005
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