“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
-Matthew 7:13-14, NIV
Too Divorce Permissive?
The Scripture’s take on divorce is a narrow path.
A narrow path that winds its way between two extreme poles.
On one side, we have the “divorce-for-any-reason” crowd.
This group is closely associated with hedonistic philosophy–i.e. do whatever makes you feel happy.
Your marriage is tough? They say, “Divorce and get a new spouse.” Find someone who does not require you to do adult things like go to counseling and work on communication issues, etc.
Clearly, God did not intent the marriage covenant to be as disposable as this crowd maintains (e.g. Mt 19:10).
On the other side, you have the rigidly religious.
They insist divorce is never permissible. Or they claim remarriage under all circumstances is adultery while the divorced other spouse lives.
This crowd dismisses verses like Jeremiah 3:8, Matthew 1:19, Matthew 5:32, Matthew 19:9 and I Corinthians 7:15. They view divorces as to be avoided at all costs.
Jesus had some rather harsh words for such individuals:
“For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” -Matthew 23:4, KJV
The narrow road given in Scripture plots its way between these two extremes. And I am trying to help illuminate that path here at Divorce Minister.
God allows for divorce when adultery (or sexual immorality) has taken place according to Scripture (e.g. Jer 3:8 and Mt 5:32; 19:9).
Plus, God instructs us through the Apostle Paul to allow a non-believing spouse to depart from us–i.e. divorce us–if he or she chooses (I Corinthians 7:15).*
It is uncomfortable to live in a place where divorce is allowed in some circumstances but not others in the eyes of God. But this is the narrow way God has called us to tread on the matter.
God did not prohibit divorce always.
And God did not permit divorce always, either.
Divorce Minister is a place that takes God’s permission to divorce seriously. It is also a place that takes adultery seriously and would not support a divorce sought for selfish reasons.
But we all are free to choose and are accountable for our own choices….good or bad…
If Divorce Minister is too divorce permissive in your view, I would challenge you as Divorce Minister is grounded in the Scripture in these matters:
Perhaps, your view on divorce is too rigid and unmerciful like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day?
*I–DM’s personal interpretation here–would place abuse that may lead to or precede life-threatening situations in that abandonment clause. Such ongoing behavior, in my opinion, demonstrates a lifetime of sinful behavior and is incompatible to being a Christian (e.g. Hebrews 10:26-27 and I John 3:6). Furthermore, it demonstrates a penchant to choose the path towards killing one’s spouse, which is a sign of unwillingness to live with said spouse.
**A version of this post ran previously.
