Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation. -Proverbs 26:5, NLT
Often times, I encounter frequent flyers as far as passages used to abuse faithful spouses. Well-meaning or just self-righteous religious people spout off some verse or passage thinking they are dispensing much needed wisdom to the faithful spouse. In reality, they are just being jerks and fools.
In the spirit of Proverbs 26:5, here are a few brief comebacks to deal with such individuals and their foolish handling of Scripture:
1. Foolish Christian: “Well, you know it says in Malachi 2:16 that God hates divorce. You cannot be serious about even considering that option. I thought you were a good Christian.”
Answer: “God hates adultery more than divorce. In fact, God Himself divorces Israel over such sin. So, the real question here is not why I am considering divorce. Rather, it is why are you so tolerant of adultery.”
2. Foolish Christian: “Remember Hosea. God calls us to a ministry of reconciliation even in the face of adultery. Hosea took Gomer back after all.”
Answer: “Last time I checked, I did not hear God tell me to marry a whore. Nor did I hear God tell me to buy back my butt-naked adulterous wife from the slave block as God told Hosea. Maybe that is your calling in life, but I assure you that it was and is not mine. “
3. Foolish Christian: “Remember when the brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus (John 8:1-11)? He told them that the person without sin could caste the first stone. Who are you to judge your spouse? I am sure you have sin your life as well.”
Answer: “Jesus also told the adulteress to ‘go and sin no more’ (John 8:11b, NKJV). He did not condone her sin. And he made no mention nor did he demand that her husband take her back as his wife.”
Thank you Rev. Very powerful answers.
You’re very welcome, Michael. Glad to be of service.
These are fantastic answers! Thank you so much! I got lost in the standing for my marriage (stopdivorce.org) for 2 years and had a lot of condemnation. I wish I would have had these answers back then.
Great responses.
A) Context is important.
Malachi 2:15-16
Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his.[b] And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. 16 “For I hate divorce!”[c] says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,[d]” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”
Be loyal to your spouse. Do not be unfaithful to your spouse. Seems like God’s intent in those passages are pretty clear. It also states in Malachi 2:13-14 that God was refusing to accept people’s worship and sacrifices because they were unfaithful to the vows they had made to their spouse. It is very, very clear from those verses how God feels about adultery!
B) I would pray that God would save my ex’s soul, making him a brother in Christ. Then, I would add “And God, I am NOT Hosea so don’t even try to give him back to me as a husband.” Also, love your line about “Maybe that is your calling in life, but it is not mine…”.
C) Basically, none of us are fit to cast stones at anyone. (Romans 3:23) So, no one is fit to cast a stone at me or you for getting divorce either…