The Scourge Of Divorce
A woman was overheard telling her young daughter, contemplating marriage, "Well, go ahead and marry him, and you can divorce him if it doesn't work out." Most people of our society would experience some degree of revulsion upon hearing such advice, I would hope. I realize, however, that I may be mistaken. After all, the thinking of society has certainly shifted away from God's thoughts on this matter as well as on others. What we must remember is that the predominant trend or ideology or thinking of society is not right just because it is held by the majority. It is ever true that man's thoughts and ways differ radically from those of God (Isa. 55:8-9).
How tragic and shameful that our faith in God has degenerated so much that marriage is no longer viewed by many as the lifelong relationship that many of our ancestors understood it to be and that God has said it should be (Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:16, Matt 19:3-12). Changing wives or husbands to many is like trading cars, and maybe not as serious. As an example of the loose thinking affecting and afflicting many, think about this statement published in Vital Speeches of the Day, as quoted by Mark Draper: "Divorce is part of the normal family cycle and is nothing deviant or tragic." The speaker went on to say that divorce, in fact, can serve as the foundation for renewal and a new begin ning.
What a shame that people no more take God's Word as law in such matters. Divorce is now being viewed as normal and a way to start over. It is a matter of Biblical teaching that some divorced people can start over with God's approval, though such is not our present study. There are, however, some divorced people to whom God grants no right of remarriage. To a majority of people, however, divorce can be overcome by another marriage. It's the old used-car notion: when you tire of one, trade "her" in for another one. This is surely not what God says, and people claiming to believe God ought to do just that--believe and practice His will.
Such a view of divorce is not new. Near the end of the second century, Tertulliam was making a comparison. of morals in his time with those of the first six hundred years of Roman history. He said that in his day people "long for divorce as though it were the natural consequence of marriage." (Apol. 6, quoted by Everett Ferguson in Encyclopedia of Early Christianity. pg. 271.) Such a view might have been normal then, but it should never be -normal. God forbid that we ever loosen our views and weaken our faith on these matters.
Divorce Is Dangerous
The soaring divorce rate in our nation should' disturb all who love America. It is one evidence of the serious moral decline which bodes ill for the future of our nation. The stigma that once at tended a divorce has diminished and one is easy to obtain. Now there are "no fault divorces," "quickie divorces," etc. Lawyers are advertising bargain prices for "a simple divorce where no children are involved." And the promises which were made before God and witnesses in forming a holy union are viewed with disdain by many. Surely America is in deep trouble when the very units of her strength are being so carelessly destroyed. "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov. 14:34).
Christians ought especially to be alarmed because problems of society are soon reflected in the church. Indeed, divorces are on the increase among children of God. Yet there are indications that some members are becoming more lenient in their view of this serious problem. Why is this true? Has God's attitude changed? No! God still "hates divorce" (Malachi 2:16). And in Matthew 19:4-6 the Divine will is clearly expressed by Jesus: "Have you not read that He who made them at the be ginning, made them male and female, "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become on flesh'? "So then they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate." It is true that later in the context (v. 9) the Lord allows a faithful, innocent companion to put away a mate who is guilty of fornication. But the emphasis of this passage is upon the permanence of the marriage relationship. And it is deplorable that this teaching of Jesus is generally ignored today, even by a number of God's children. This is obvious as fewer and fewer divorces are being sought "for fornication."
Divorce is dangerous because of what it does to a Christian's influence and opportunities to serve. Both are hindered even when the mate has been put away for fornication. A marriage that has failed would be a hindrance to any Christian man's public leadership ability. And no doubt a divorce hurts to some extent a woman's influence. The truth is that even the innocent party cannot escape some hurtful consequences in a divorce.
Divorce is not a painless, easy, or safe way to resolve marriage problems. We must not allow such a worldly attitude to influence our thoughts and actions. God wants husbands and wives to love and respect each other and to work diligently to make their marriage a success (Eph. 5:22-33). Young people contemplating matrimony should study God's teaching carefully and search their hearts to see if they are prepared to accept the responsibilities. And if they are ready and able to be what God says for them to be and what their partner needs and has a right to expect. Never, never should this holy bond be entered with the thought that "if it doesn't work we'll just get a divorce." Remember, God hates divorce and it is dangerous to our spiritual welfare, to the Lord's church and
to our nation.
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Last Updated October 13, 1997 by Bob Cleek bcleek@niia.net
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Christians ought especially to be alarmed because problems of society are soon reflected in the church. Indeed, divorces are on the increase among children of God. Yet there are indications that some members are becoming more lenient in their view of this serious problem. Why is this true? Has God's attitude changed? No! God still "hates divorce" (Malachi 2:16). And in Matthew 19:4-6 the Divine will is clearly expressed by Jesus: "Have you not read that He who made them at the be ginning, made them male and female, "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become on flesh'? "So then they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate." It is true that later in the context (v. 9) the Lord allows a faithful, innocent companion to put away a mate who is guilty of fornication. But the emphasis of this passage is upon the permanence of the marriage relationship. And it is deplorable that this teaching of Jesus is generally ignored today, even by a number of God's children. This is obvious as fewer and fewer divorces are being sought "for fornication."
Divorce is dangerous because of what it does to a Christian's influence and opportunities to serve. Both are hindered even when the mate has been put away for fornication. A marriage that has failed would be a hindrance to any Christian man's public leadership ability. And no doubt a divorce hurts to some extent a woman's influence. The truth is that even the innocent party cannot escape some hurtful consequences in a divorce.
Divorce is not a painless, easy, or safe way to resolve marriage problems. We must not allow such a worldly attitude to influence our thoughts and actions. God wants husbands and wives to love and respect each other and to work diligently to make their marriage a success (Eph. 5:22-33). Young people contemplating matrimony should study God's teaching carefully and search their hearts to see if they are prepared to accept the responsibilities. And if they are ready and able to be what God says for them to be and what their partner needs and has a right to expect. Never, never should this holy bond be entered with the thought that "if it doesn't work we'll just get a divorce." Remember, God hates divorce and it is dangerous to our spiritual welfare, to the Lord's church and to our nation.
Market Street
Return to Table of Contents
Last Updated October 13, 1997 by Bob Cleek bcleek@niia.net
Page Hosted by
Geo
Cities
Return to Table of Contents
Last Updated October 13, 1997 by Bob Cleek bcleek@niia.net