Can Christians divorce for reasons other than adultery?

Question

How would you respond to the statement below I found on a Christian forum site?

"Jesus tells us there is no other reason to divorce except your spouse cheating. I am an ex-abused spouse. I went through torture. But I have to admit now, that if I was truly trusting in the Lord during that time, He would have handled it for me.... EVEN if that meant my death. I think we humans often forget, when we die, we go to a better place... much much better than anything we know here and now."

Answer 1

What she should have done is run for her life. If the man repented, truly, and I wouldn't trust him any time soon, then she could take him back. In the case that he didn't repent, she still would be obligated to remain married to him, but she should stay away from him for her safety and the safety of her children if they had any. This may sound unfair, but God knows that we have a type that we fall for, so if she divorced him, she'd likely find another abusive spouse. Now if he wanted to divorce her, then she could agree. You'll find it in I Corinthians 7, if I remember correctly. You should also remember that if she tried to divorce him, he could be beating her up while the divorce proceedings were going through, unless she separated from him. There are churches and Christian organizations that offer shelter for abused spouses.

Answer 2

The other reason listed in the Bible is desertion, found in 1 Corinthians chapter 7.

Since abuse is against the law, an abused spouse should allow their partner to experience the full brunt of the law even if that means time in jail.

If the abuser has put someone in harms way, then there is something called an "order of protection" in most states to remove the abuser from the home, until the abuser goes to counseling, at his or her own expense, while paying child support to the parent at home with the children.

If the abusing parent refuses to go to counselling or continues to abuse, then 1 Cor 7 gives the abused parent the right to end the marriage on the basis that the abuser abandoned the marriage.

JUNE is Domestic Violence Against Men Awareness Month

Pastor Art

Answer 3

The Bible also tells us that if we are unequally yoked spiritually and there is no chance that the person you are married to is going to give his or her self to the lord then you are better off alone. Adultry is the mai grounds for divorce but there are many other reasons people get divorced. There is nothing that God cannot heal and no action that he cannot forgive if you are truely repenting of that sin and divorce is a sin. I do know that the bible says that if you do divorce your spouse for reasons other than adultry and marry another then you yourself are commiting adultry with your new spouse. Talk to your preacher or a christian counsler to know for sure. I just know how I read the scripture. Read Matthew Chapters 5 and 19, Mark Chapter 10 and 2 Corinthians Chapter 6

Answer 4

God has never given a directive to stay in harm's way unnecessarily. Physical or mental or sexual abuse in a marriage is as good a reason for divorce as adultery. It serves no purpose to be abused. And if there are children involved, all the more reason to get out asap. Self sacrifice must have a good reason in order for God to approve (laying down your life for another, defending your family, friends, or even a stranger, war, etc.). Thank God you did get out and be very cautious before ever making yourself a victim again. Death is sweet for the Christian, but He leaves us here for a purpose. Until His timing calls us home, we are to be busy about the Master's business. What a testimony you must have to help others who are abused. God bless you for sharing with us tonight.

Answer 5

Ya know what I think that if you divorced because you were abused that God would not hold that against you. Its like that joke where a man is standing on a bridge and the town is starting to flood and a truck drives by and offers him a ride outta there and he says no the lord will save me, as the water rises higher a boat drives by and offers him help to get out and he again says no the lord will save me, finally the flood waters are so high he's about to drown and a helicopter comes by and throws him a line to get him to safety and he refuses and again says no the lord will save me, finally he drowns and he gets to heaven and says to God why didn't you save me and the lord replies I sent you a truck , a boat and a helicopter. Think of divorce as your way to safety. If you feel bad you divorced and feel you may have wronged in gods eyes talk to the lord and tell him your reasons and ask for forgiveness ... God understands his followers so trust he will not hold it against you for fleeing a bad situation.

Answer 6

Jesus onl;y allowed divorce thru marital infedility because of the hardness of our hearts,at first it was not so he intended a man and woman who were married to stay together no matter what,and I think alot of us take this out of content,first did they ask god was that man or woman for them,what God put together let no man put asunder,I truly believe God intended that for the marriage based on asking him who your mate was,many people get married for all the wrong reasons and end up getting divorced over trivalitys, and then they are with the wrong person I also believe God does not intend anyone to be abused either,yes he can work it out but that decision is based on you whether you stay or not,and god will tell you whether to stay or go ,adultery is the only common ground or death,we are under grace now not the old testament,but our relationship with God comes first in all our choices Lets not forget to ask first who our partner for life is

Answer 7

If you read a little farther it says that you are to stay married till death do you part ( not in those exact words ) And to forgive 70 x 7....Being abused is another matter , Just don't remarry

Answer 8

We are not supposed to divorce except for adultery, but seperation is accepted for other reasons.. This lady didn't have to stay in an abusive situation..

Answer 9

Jesus is wrong here.


Divorce is a good thing for women, especially abused women. The problem is that in Jesus's day, women were just property, so he probably didn't think of that angle.


Women should not be forced to stay in a marriage for any reason, especially if the marriage is loveless or the guy (or other girl, in some cases) is a jerk.

Answer 10

This doesn't exactly answer your question, but an abused woman can leave without filing for divorce.