Jesus gives one ground for divorce in Matthew 19:9. What the Bible actually says about divorce, remarriage after divorce, and the excuses people use to break a covenant.
Marriage and divorce are governed by the words of Jesus, not by our desire for comfort. In Matthew 19:6-9 He gives one ground for divorce — and warns against the clever arguments we use to escape the covenant.
Marriage and divorce are governed by the clear, unchanging words of Jesus, not by our desire for comfort. In Matthew 19:6, Jesus declares, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6 KJV) He provides only one ground for divorce: “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” (Matthew 19:9 KJV) (Matthew 19:9). Life is undeniably difficult, and marriage is often a crucible, but difficulty does not change the mandate of Scripture. Because we seek to justify our own desires, we often run to Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 7:15, where he allows for a believer to let an unbeliever depart in peace, or the reality of death ending a covenant (Romans 7:2). However, people twist this to their own demise, just as Peter warned. “Peace” suddenly becomes a synonym for “I need my personal mental peace.” They convince themselves that because they fight too much or aren’t happy, divorce is the “holy” path to restoring their own tranquility. They heap up teachers who validate this, but clever arguments do not work on God. He is looking at the heart.
People will inevitably cry out, “What if my partner is beating me and trying to kill me? Jesus didn’t mention that! Shouldn’t I divorce?” Again, we reach for extreme cases to win an argument and soothe a guilty conscience. Does your partner currently beat you and attempt to murder you? If not, why are you using that extreme hypothetical to justify your desire to break a covenant? God sees through the smokescreen. Are you seeking to do the will of the Father, or are you trying to justify sin? God observes the heart, and He knows the difference.
Read every Scripture quote in your chosen translation (WEB, KJV, Geneva, YLT, and more) at https://www.thelivingsword.org/sound-doctrine/divorce
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