The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (24)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on April 21, 2010
Topic: God’s Standard for Divorce and Remarriage
No audio available for this study.Background
Last week we saw that adultery from the stand point of the bible is not limited to married couples, but is defined as a sexual act between two people who are scripturally unmarried to each other. We noted that the proper placement of adultery is as sexual immorality, an all-encompassing name that includes fornication, incest, rape, homosexual act, pornography, etc. We also saw that God’s standard for adultery is not limited to the physical act, but is chiefly based on what goes on in the heart of the individual. Thus, we saw that looking lustfully at a woman (or a man, as the case may be) is all that is required to prove that an adulterous act has taken place. Also, we saw that a divorcee who remarries is guilty of adultery.
Thus, we observed that God’s standard for adultery is very high. It is so high that many of the excuses that men and women give as their reason for adultery will not hold up in the court of God. We noted that to deal with the issue of sexual immorality with a view to keeping God’s standard, you need to heed the following counsel from the word of God: (a) flee every appearance of physical closeness; (b) avoid sexual implicit conversations; (c) make a covenant with your eyes not to look lustfully upon a woman or man; (d) bring your heart under the control of the Holy Spirit; (e) store up God’s word in your heart, and heed His every command; (f) have agape love for all men and women; and (g) get married to your own husband or wife, rather than burn with lust. We said that though the Lord’s injunction to gouge out the offending eye or amputate the offending hand, may seem gross, the point being made is to ensure that every iota of the remote causes of sexual immorality are extricated from our lives. To achieve this, we need to engage in constant and intense prayer unto God.
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 5:31-32
Tonight, we shall proceed with taking a look at God’s standard for divorce and remarriage. May our hearts be open to the Holy Spirit who alone can tell us the truth that is in God’s word.
In these verses, we can see that the condition under which divorce is permitted by God is that one of the Parties in the marriage committed fornication, not adultery! We know that fornication is a word used to specifically define sexual intercourse involving the unmarried; so how does this feature in a marital situation as grounds for biblical divorce? Incidentally, the word of God does not explicitly advocate for remarriage, following a divorce; as that is tantamount to adultery!
As we search the scriptures may the Holy Spirit help us to receive truth that seeks to cast down every argument that we may have to the contrary.
Deuteronomy 24:1; Numbers 5:11-31; Deuteronomy 22:13-21; Genesis 29:21-28 (Mark 10:2-11); Malachi 2:13-16; Romans 7:2-3; Matthew 19:10-11; 1 Corinthians 7:7-9, 10-11, 12-17; Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:21-32; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Colossians 3:18-19; Philippians 2:5-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Conclusion
God’s standard for permitting divorce is that either Party in a marriage had been sexually active before the marriage; and that this was previously unknown to the spouse. The moment it is discovered that the man or woman had, prior to being married, been engaged in sexual activity, only then can there be grounds for divorce. If, however, nothing is done after the disclosure or revelation, the issue of divorce becomes mute!
In the case where one Party in the marriage becomes a Christian and the other is not, the Christian is not permitted to divorce the non-Christian spouse. If, however, the non-Christian spouse chooses to leave the marriage, the Christian may try to dissuade his or her spouse against it; failing which he or she should let the spouse go. But can the Christian who is divorced in such a manner remarry? It is clear from scripture that remarriage is considered an act of adultery, except after the death of a spouse. Of course one does not expect that such remarriage will take place shortly after the decease of the spouse in question.
God has made it abundantly clear that He hates, and is opposed to divorce (and remarriage under such circumstances). Reconciliation is the word that every Christian must imbibe into his or her spirit. Scripture helps us to understand that God’s interest is in two people becoming one in marriage, not more than two! (1 Corinthians 6:16) Also, marriage mirrors the union between Christ and the church, hence, if divorce were permitted, then Christ can divorce the church, and then our faith and salvation can actually be truncated. But this is not possible. Even God, the Father, who is espoused to Israel is not divorced from her, even till this day, for it is an everlasting covenant. He may discipline them, but he will not divorce them!
To help us avoid divorce, the Lord tells us that hardness of heart (stubbornness, rebellion, disobedience, etc.) is the chief culprit and must be dealt with by the operation of the Holy Spirit upon our hearts. The bible admonishes wives to submit to and respect their own husbands; and husbands to love their wives, and be ready to give their lives for them, and treat them with knowledge. These injunctions can only be heeded by someone whose heart is not hardened.
Marriage is an honourable and lifelong union, and must not be entered into in a hurry, or just because one burns with lust. Instead of rushing into marriage to quench the lust in you (which marriage does not really quench); go to God in prayer to help you deal with it (lust). Marriage must be thoughtfully and prayerfully entered into by those concerned.
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