Statistics show that over 50% of all couples go through divorce, which means not only are they affected by it but their children are as well. There are a variety of views on it, so Allen Parr – speaker, teacher, and worship leader – provides a balanced yet biblical perspective on the subject.
With that being said, it is essential to know that:
Divorce Is Not The Unforgivable Sin
It’s not a sin at all in some situations. We have have shunned and shamed people and caused them to feel worse than they already do about the deep pain associated with a divorce.
We need to be about the business of restoring people who are broken and reminding them that if God is big enough to forgive other sins, then He is big enough to forgive the sin of divorce.
Grounds for Divorce – the Bible provides four grounds for divorce and remarriage.
1. Adultery – Mt. 19:9 – Jesus says that if a spouse commits adultery, then the other spouse has the option to divorce and remarry although reconciliation is always preferred if the offending spouse is genuinely repentant.
2. Abandonment – 1 Cor. 7:12-15 – But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
3. Death – 1 Cor. 7:39 – Paul says that if a spouse dies then the living spouse is apparently no longer bound and is free to remarry.
4. Divorce as an Unbeliever – 2 Cor. 5:17 – When we become Christians God does not hold us accountable for anything we did before we were saved.
The X-Factor
Although there are consequences to our decisions, God always responds to a heart of repentance with grace.
We see this in the life of David. We see this with how God dealt with Israel who sinned against God repeatedly and yet God called them back to repentance.
Advice to someone who has experienced the devastating pain of divorce.
- Go out of your way to shield your children from the pain of the divorce as much as you can.
- But more importantly, NEVER WASTE A FAILURE! Take the lessons that you’ve learned (see what part you played, if any, in the breakdown of the marriage) and turn around and help someone else because if you don’t, you are allowing the enemy to get the victory on the front end and on the back end by causing you to hide behind your failures and being too ashamed to share your wisdom with someone else.
If you found this video helpful, or you know someone who is struggling with divorce right now, share this with them.
Credits: THE BEAT by Allen Parr
This article was written by Le-Jovale Vallejo. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily the opinions of GOD TV.