CHRISTIANS, Is divorce ever acceptable?

Question

When does God consider it ok to divorce? Is it ever acceptable? Under what circumstances? Does God expect you to remain miserable?

Answer 1

Adultery is the only thing that God says justifying divorce.
Humanly speaking, there may not seem to be much hope—but there always is with God. Jesus once said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God" (Luke 18:27).

Perhaps you've heard people say, "When all else fails, then pray." In one way, it's not very sound advice; we ought to pray first, not after we've tried everything else! But it still came to mind when I read your thread, because even when no other avenue seems open to us, God has still given us the privilege of prayer. The Bible says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14).

Does this mean if you pray enough God will definitely restore your marriage? I wish I could promise that—but to be honest, I can't. In the meantime, keep praying, and do whatever you can to let your spouse know of your love. If you also were at fault in some way, confess it to God and seek His forgiveness—as well as your spouse's. Most of all, trust Christ for your future, and keep trusting Him no matter what happens.

Answer 2

In order for a marriage to be considered as invalid there would have to be a breach in the vows which were exchanged between the spouses. However, divorce is not recognized by God because as you said it yourself what God has joined together let no man separate. This means the courts of men mean nothing to God. That is why when it comes down to determine if there was a breach in the vows which were exchanged sense the couple got married within His Church it only makes sense that His Church will or will not grant an annulment of the marriage. The thing is if an annulment is granted there was no marriage to begin with because it was considered as invalid. This is very different from divorce which recognizes the couple at one time being legally married. While the Church on the other hand only recognizes one marriage. Therefore if a Catholic divorces another baptized Christian and they haven't been granted an annulment according to His Church they are still married therefore if the Catholic wanted to get married again in the Catholic Church they would be denied. What happened in the Eastern Church they handed over the authority of the Church to the Emperor which resulted in the institute of marriage being under the State. Just as the Church of England which of course before the English Reformation during the 16th century annulments could only be granted or denied by the Catholic Church. And I'm not saying this was the only reason for the English Reformation but one of the reasons is that King Henry VIII wanted his marriage annulled by the Catholic Church, but the Pope refused to grant King Henry VIII his annulment. One of the things which was changed during the English Reformation within the Church of England that because King Henry VIII was head of the State and made himself head of the Church that divorce by the State was the same thing as having the marriage annulled by the Church of England.

Answer 3

The Bible says that adultery is the only grounds for divorce. When the Pharisees came to test Christ on the issue of their use of divorce for any reason. It had become their custom to write a bill of divorcement for any and all reasons if their wife displeased them. They could literally divorce her if they didn't like the way she cooked the evening meal. These women were then forced to leave the house with nothing and live as best they could.
Jesus knew how evil their hearts were and how they abused their wives so he told them that the only grounds for divorce was adultery. This was true because a man and woman were made for each other for life from the beginning. Jesus was not trying to say that only men could get a divorce but that they could not get a divorce for frivolous reasons as they had been doing. (See Matthew 19:1-8)
Paul later spoke on subject of marriage making it clear that it was possible for both the husband or wife to get a divorce but that it was wrong to do so and adultery was the only grounds. (See I Corinthians 7:1-16)
I would certainly separate from my husband if he abused me however, I don't recall that that reason is ever mentioned as grounds for divorce.

Answer 4

Remember God didn't get you married.

I am divorced because my wife committed adultery, I had every right to divorce according to scripture if you take it in a literal way. I did this when I was young.

I now understand that when I married her we were un-equally yoked, she was not a Christian even though she had presented herself as one and I was a Christian. I found out she had been a lot of things including a devil worshiper but I don't think she was a Christian.

As I grew older I figured out that I also contributed to her cheating and lying because I was trying to achieve worldly things, money, property to give her what we both wanted. I worked 16 hour days, 6 to 7 days a week, leaving her at home alone much of the time.

I could have forgiven her (I did try) but she continued to lie about things. I could have worked through it but I threw her out and finally divorced her.

I guess what I am trying to say is yes , their are reasons you can divorce and I think you can be forgiven for divorce but I am sure it's not Gods plan for any marriage he blessed to end in divorce.

If their is any way to reconcile, if you still care for your spouse in any way, you should be in prayer about how to work it out. Step back and look to find if you had any part in causing the problem.

Good luck and God Bless

Answer 5

God hurts for us when we hurt. Even in the old testament, he gave the rules on how to divorce. He understands that the best thing sometimes is to separate. He would consider it acceptable, and never expects you to 'remain miserable'. That something people would wish on you, not God. (and don't buy everything organized religion says, it's not a sin.) Sin is anything that separates you from God. Staying miserable and hopeless would be a lot more separating from God than leaving and, with his help, starting over again.

Good Luck

Answer 6

Christianity is just like law. There's always a loophole where people get by... It is up to interpretation what is considered "adultery". At one point people say it's bad. At another point, as the first answer said, Chsitians divorce the most. And then later someone will come and tell you, "it is God's will that you should(not) be together."

So the basic message is, think for yourself and find your own interpretation of what your God has in store for you.

Besides, if you go through with the divorce and feel guilty, you can always pray for forgiveness, right?

Answer 7

Yes and no.
Abuse certainly constitutes divorce as does adultery- but the divorces, some not all, we see today, are because they have fallen out of love. Love is an emotion- it has it's highs and its lows. A marriage is a full time job- for both partners- no one rides off into the sunset- life is not problem free.

Answer 8

No. Annulment is a decision that a valid marriage never existed, though.

"Civil" divorces are quite common, however. But they have nothing to do with the Church. A couple who "gets" a civil divorce is still quite married in the eyes of the Church.

If "cut and run" was the solution to all things intolerable in life, Jesus would have fled the cross for the beach. He was very careful to NOT promise us a life on Earth free from pain and persecution.

Answer 9

According to the bible, adultery is the only legitimate reason for divorce. And, adultery is only referring to the woman, Men do not commit adultery unless they have sex with another man's wife without his permission.

The God of the bible considers suffering a normal way of life, so why wouldn't he?



BTW, Christians divorce more than any other group, it is obvious Christians have no rules regarding divorce.

Answer 10

God hates divorce.