Daniel Ausbun
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The Exceptions to Divorce & Remarriage

1/21/2013

5 Comments

 
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God condemns divorce and remarriage (Mark 10:9-12). There are two exceptions for divorce and one exception for remarriage. It used to be hard and expensive to get a divorce - but no more. Google "divorce" and you can find an online divorce "on sale" for $149.

The Bible says when a man and woman marry, they become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Marriage is only to be broken by death (Romans 7:3). Here are the two exceptions for divorce:

Divorce

If your spouse commits "sexual immorality" you're permitted a divorce (Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9). These are the only two references in Scripture that permit divorce for sexual immorality - Jesus said we're permitted divorce because of the hardness of our hearts - divorce was never God's plan from the beginning (Matthew 19:8).

Second exception - if you're married to an unbeliever and the unbeliever leaves - you're to "let him leave" (1 Corinthians 7:15). God has called us to live in peace, not chase down your unbelieving husband.

These are the only two exceptions for biblical divorce - sexual immorality and if your unbelieving spouse leaves you. What about remarriage? If you're divorced, should a Christian remain single?

Remarriage

There is one exception for remarriage. If your spouse passes away you're released from your marriage vows (Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39). Jesus said marrying a divorced person is "adultery" (Luke 16:18). Deuteronomy 24:4 considers remarriage "detestable to the Lord."

What are you to do?

1. Discourage Divorce – it’s not God’s will – only permitted.

2. Discourage Remarriage – only death allows a person to remarry.

3. Encourage Biblical Marriage – encourage people to observe God’s standards and being faithful to their current spouse. If a divorced person has remarried, they need to remain in their marriage - keep your promise, don't break your vows a second time. Only God can end a marriage.


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5 Comments
Gene Frantz
6/18/2018 12:20:10 am

Jesus said marrying a divorced person is "adultery" (Luke 16:18). Was stated in one of the links above. What Jesus actually says is "Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. This is the correct text, and it deals with a specific cause and course of divorce. Using it outside of context to imply it covers all people divorced is, I believe, inconsistent with scripture. It reads as if referring to voluntary divorce, and I take the passage as it reads." In the case of Corinthians 7:15 There is much written that all can look up. It's known as "the Pauline privilege". I personally take the text at face value when it says" A brother or sister . Is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace." Many however, go to great lengths to make a case that somehow the believer who was deserted is under bondage; I believe they err. Also consider Corinthians 7:27&28. It is in the same chapter, on the same subject. Paul recommends not seeking a wife if you are loosed from one but then states that if you do marry it is not sin. The Christian in both passages is freed from marriage through no action of theirs. I see no conflict with Christ's teaching as the believer did not divorce by choice but was freed from marriage by things not under their control. Nevertheless, read each passage for yourself and consider what God's desire is, not my opinion. It is and always has been clear that God hates divorce. Sometimes believers are not given a choice though and I believe these are the instances Paul references in Corinthians.

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Lora Davidson link
2/6/2024 02:07:20 pm

My brother divorced his first wife. She was intoxicated every day and was arrested several time for DWI's. He took her to counseling, she was going to kILL someone. He believed she was promiscuous while he was reported to work with UNSAF. Her behavior was not tolerable to Air Force she was promiscuous. She influenced one of her children so severely she too behaves badly. However his twin daughter are like him and are pilots in the air force. He is looked up to by friends, family and the community. He is remarried and is a Christian and I'm nor saying this because he is my brother but I truly believe the Church would be proud of hi as a deacon. He worries about the divorced preventing from becoming a Deacon. Can you help me?

Reply
Gene
9/21/2023 07:20:25 am

I have been told that I am disqualified to be a deacon because I was divorced. She divorced me. I remarried and I was asked to be a deacon.

Reply
Lora Davidson link
2/2/2024 06:35:19 pm

I think you are within the justification of His Word to be divorced. The question now is how you've lived your life since. From what I read and understand if you have been the type man that people respect and others come to you for counsel, if your current marriage is a strong one based on Christian principles, if taken care to rear your children to be Christians and you've managed you finaces responsibly then the Church would be fortunate to have you as a leader, a Deacon or even a Preacher in the future.

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Bristol Blinds link
5/9/2024 02:16:08 am

Thhanks for the post

Reply



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