Divorce 2

In last week’s article, we discussed two of the many reasons divorce runs rampant in our nation. Selfishness and unforgiveness are at the root of many divorces. This week, we want to look at a couple of other causes, especially the one which I believe to be the main cause. 3) Easy Access is certainly a culprit in the dissipation of marriages. There was a time in this nation when divorces weren’t so easy to secure. Couples were expected to remain faithful to the vows they made before God and other witnesses. I read a lot in newspapers about “No-Fault” divorces. I suppose a couple could dissolve their union simply because they disagree on who gets to shower first in the mornings, or the way their spouse fixes their hair. It’s shameful! Why must our nation downgrade the sanctity of marriage by allowing divorces for “Irreconcilable Differences” to occur? 1) Lack of respect for God’s word is, in my opinion, the greatest hindrance to the marriage union. God said that He hates divorce (Mal. 2:16). However, our nation is quickly forgetting God. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God” (Psa. 9:17). Once a couple gets married, they are bound to one another as long as their spouse lives (Rom. 7:1-4). The only exception to this rule is given by the Lord in Matthew 19:9, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” Matthew nineteen is very interesting. It seems these folks in the first century had some of the same problems this nation has. They were putting away their spouses for just any reason. The Pharisees wanted to know The Lord’s thoughts on the subject, so they asked Him in verse 3, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” Many judges in our nation would say “Yes.” Jesus, however, gave quite a different answer. He took them back to the beginning and made it clear that God expected one man to become one flesh with one woman for life (Vss. 4-6)! He said, “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate”(Vs. 6). Our nation, however, doesn’t seem to care anymore about what the word of God says on this matter. We must get back to the Bible if we expect to overcome the damaging effects of divorce in this nation. Selfishness, unforgiveness, easy access, and disrespect for God’s word reign as reasons for failed marriages. There are others; money problems, the sexual relationship, etc.. God’s word deals with all of these issues. If we’ll only get back to the scriptures, we can ease the problem of divorce in this nation significantly. When it comes to your marriage, wed on the word, build on the Bible, love each other in the Lord, and you will save you, your spouse, and your children a lot of turmoil.