Will God forgive her if she divorces?

Question

I have a really good friend that got married 7 months ago. Before she married, her husband was just what she wanted but once they married, he totally changed. He has been very mean and abusive to her and has just admitted that he has been using drugs. He has told her that he will not change for her. She is a very devoted Christian. She has never agreed with divorce because of what the Bible says about it. She is miserable. I have told her that God wants what is best for her but she is having a really hard time with this. What can I tell her to help her. I really belive that God will forgive her.

Answer 1

God wants her to suffer. God is all about suffereing. You think God cares about her divorce when a huge portion of the world is below the poverty level, or starving, or dying of diseases never seen outside of 3rd world countries? God did all those things, why shouldn't he expect her to suffer her petty petty problems.

Just kidding. There is no god, so why worry about it?

Answer 2

First, the only unforgivable sin is Blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, see Matt 12:31.

Now, no woman (or anyone else) needs or should put up with abuse. Abuse is not ordained of God and in fact He does not like abuse. Jesus told us to love one another. In reality, I do not believe that in an abusive situation, the abused needs to ask forgiveness. I do not believe that God will hold such a person accountable for divorce if they have done all that they can to improve the situation.

True, divorce seems to be the easy way out for way too many people and most should not look at it as a way out. But when a spouse becomes abusive, even dangerous, God will not hold the righteous accountable.

Answer 3

Divorce is allowed in the bible only for certain situations. Mainly if the husband or wife is not into the things of God, like he is not a believer. God is not a man that he can lie, she will be forgiven for he is a God that forgives. however, she should not Divorce him if she knows that it is wrong. She will be judge for that. Tell her before she does anything, that she should continue in prayer and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit because he can change him and her situation. Remember in the Bible, it is pointed out that when one divorces or is separated that they cause the other to commit various sins such as the sin of adultery if they enter into a new relationship because she cannot remarry until he passes away. Tell her to speak to a pastor for details and a more personal advice.

Answer 4

Tell her God does not want her to worry, and He is giving her this message, so she will know what He says about it.
All sins shall be forgiven except "Blasphemy" (Mark 3:28-30) (purposely speaking and teaching others to be at war, "against" .....to hate the Holy Ghost).
1st Corinthians 7:13-15 If he is an unbeliever, then she does not have to remain married to him, and she is free to depart (in this case, divorcing him would not be a sin).
If he does not believe that he is to love her as Christ loves the church, then he does not believe in the Lord (the Lord's word), does not follow in Jesus' footsteps (therefore, he is not a believer).
To be a believer means more than just believing that there is a God, more than just believing there is a Jesus.
To be a true believer means he would have to accept the Lord, and also follow (obey) the voice of the Lord.

Answer 5

God, the Originator of marriage, designed it to be a permanent union. But is there any Scriptural reason for a person to divorce his or her mate, and one that would allow for the possibility of remarrying? Jesus addressed this matter by declaring: “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9) Sexual infidelity by a mate is the only ground for a divorce that will allow the innocent mate to remarry, or the death of the husband or the wife..

In addition, the Bible’s words at 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, while encouraging marriage mates to stay together, allow for separation. Some, after trying very hard to preserve their marriage, feel they have no choice but to separate. What can be acceptable Scriptural grounds for such a step?

One is willful nonsupport. When getting married, a husband assumes the responsibility of providing for his wife and children. The man who willfully fails to provide the material necessities of life “has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” (1 Timothy 5:8) So separation is possible.

Another is extreme physical abuse. So then, if a mate physically abuses his wife, the victim may separate. (Galatians 5:19-21; Titus 1:7) “Anyone loving violence [God’s] soul certainly hates.” Psalm 11:5.

Another ground for separation is the absolute endangerment of a believer’s spirituality, one’s relationship with God. When a mate’s opposition, perhaps including physical restraint, has made it impossible to pursue true worship and has imperiled the believer’s spirituality, then some believers have found it necessary to separate. Matthew 22:37; Acts 5:27-32.

However, if divorce is pursued under such circumstances, one would not be free to enter a new marriage. According to the Bible, the only legitimate ground for divorce that permits remarriage is adultery or “fornication.” Matthew 5:32.

The Bible allows only one reason for getting a divorce that frees a person to remarry, and that is fornication (Greek, porneia, gross sexual immorality). If fornication is committed, then the innocent mate may decide whether to get a divorce or not. Matthew 5:32.

After telling the Pharisees that the Mosaic concession of divorcing their wives was not the arrangement that had prevailed “from the beginning,” Jesus said: “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” (Mt 19:8, 9)


Marriage involves two people with differing personalities learning to develop common interests and working together toward common goals. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, not a casual agreement that can be lightly abandoned. In many countries, divorce is not difficult to obtain, but in the eyes of a Christian, the marriage relationship is sacred. It is ended only for a very serious reason. (Matt. 19:9) Christian spouses can avail themselves of wise counsel from the Bible, support from fellow Christians, and a close, prayerful relationship with God. A successful marriage endures, and over the years, it brings happiness and contentment to husband and wife. More important, it brings honor to God, the Originator of marriage.

Answer 6

Divorce is not the unforgivable sin. Can't advise as to if she should divorce or not but if she repents and asks forgiveness for any part she may have contributed to the incompatibility then she can move on.

God divorced Israel so hey, it's one of those regrettable things which sometimes must be. She should not allow any congregation to treat her as second class because of this.

No one needs to remain in an abusive relationship.

Answer 7

You did not mention specifically what religion she subscribes to. If she is a Catholic, she can seek an annulment, which means that the marriage was not valid because of circumstances not known at the time the vows were exchanced. She would have to go through a canon tribunal of the church. Yes, God will forgive her for the divorce.

Answer 8

The question will He forgive indicates intentional sin. I would say immediately - no. To sin with the hope of being forgiven for it is an abuse of grace.

But, I do see your question for what it is. This sounds to me like a situation where not enough seeking God happened before the marriage and this is now the consequence of making a huge decision without God's input. I know that sounds insensitive, but I believe that it is often the case. I would recommend speaking to a pastor, intense prayer, and seeking God's will.

I'm sure that separation would be totally fine, even advisable right now, but to hope to remarry may be out of the question. Of course God forgives, but to go out and intentionally do something sinful with that in mind leads me to caution you that God is just and His grace is not to be taken advantage of.

Answer 9

I don't care what anyone says God would not want anyone to live the rest of their lives in misery with a abusive druggie husband. This makes no sense to me. This is why I have a problem with certain Catholic and christian beliefs. Tell her to dump the creep, thank God she didn't have kids with him. She should get on with her life without him.

Answer 10

God will forgive you for divorce, but it is not His will for people to divorce. However, if a person does divorce someone they can be forgiven, but they will have to reap what they sow. Divorce is serious. It can lead to death, sickness, disease and a miserable life. If she is miserable now, she may be even more miserable after she gets a divorce. But, she can be seperated from her husband while she lets God deal with him and give her some directions.