Divorce touches nearly every family in one way or another.
Some people believe God never allows divorce under any circumstances. Others assume that if they’re no longer happy—or if they discover they married the wrong person—divorce is the obvious answer.
But what does the Bible actually say?
What if you realize you’re unequally yoked? What if your spouse is unfaithful? What if there’s physical or sexual abuse? Is divorce ever permitted? And if so, when?
Today’s readings take us to one of the most difficult passages in Ezra, where God’s people dealt with unlawful marriages. That raises important questions for Christians today about marriage, divorce, forgiveness, restoration, and God’s design for the family.
Whether you’re married, single, divorced, or hoping to marry someday, understanding God’s wisdom on this subject can spare enormous heartache and help you honor Him in every season of life.
Is there any such thing in the Bible as an “adultery test”? And, if so, what would an Old Testament law about jealousy and possible adultery have to do with us?
Actually, the Bible has a great deal to say about adultery and other forms of sexual immorality. We’re told to not even have an appearance of evil (Eph. 5.3) and Proverbs 31.11 says to us wives, “The heart of her husband safely trusts her …” But the same principles apply to men, as well as women. Read more about the adultery test in today’s reading.
And when we’re tempted to think adultery has nothing to do with us, we should remember that all of us should be in the business of protecting our marriages from any and every attack of the enemy. What precautions can we take to do that? Are there “freedoms” we should be willing to forsake for the good of our marriages?
While adultery is not the unforgivable sin, the effects of adultery are devastating. Whether someone is the perpetrator or the victim, lives are turned upside-down. Maybe it’s happened to you. If you’re the one who was sinned against, you know those things to be true. But what if you’re the one who committed adultery? Or what if you’re struggling with the temptation now?
Welcome to Mondays @ Soul Survival. Each week I feature a book that I consider a valuable resource. This week’s selection is Picking Up the Pieces: Recovering from Broken Relationships by Lou Priolo. Divorce, separation, adulterous or unhealthy relationships and break-ups...
