I understand how bad divorce is, but does God want you to be mistreated or abused? If God is not in it, it will not work! Should you force someone to stay with you? God forgives!

- AFTB

Posted on Sep 28, 2013

We’ve had so many questions concerning divorce. No wonder. Divorce is an issue that has been around almost as long as marriage has. Marriage is a lifetime commitment that many enter into without considering the sanctity of their vows. Many enter marriage without knowing their partner very well. Of course, many enter into marriage with the thought that if it doesn’t work out, they will divorce. As we saw in a previous question, the Lord hates divorce as we read in Malachi 2:16, “For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away…”

Let’s briefly consider a few things that must be in place if we are to even hope for a successful marriage. First of all, let’s read 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” The instruction here is so clear: Christians are not to marry unbelievers! So simple; so direct; but so ignored by many people today.

Secondly, 1 Corinthians 7:39 says, “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.” This verse deals with the permanence of marriage. When death ends the marriage, then the survivor is free to remarry, but only in the Lord. This is a principal for all marriages: that the union of two people should be directed by the Lord. This goes beyond making sure that the one you marry is a believer, we need to be sure that the one we marry is the one the Lord wants us to marry. Marriage should come after much prayer and counseling to make sure that this marriage is “in the Lord”. Even as believers, we should be sure that we are compatible with our mates; that we have the same goals and desires for our lives; and that we are on the same path in our relationship with the Lord.

Thirdly, after beginning our lives together in the Lord, we must maintain that walk and continue to follow the Lord together. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” To begin rightly is so important; to continue rightly is just as important. The Apostle Paul wrote to the saints in Galatia. They had begun so well in their faith and walk with the Lord. Before long, error was allowed in among them. Paul said to them in Galatians 5:7, “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” They started out well, but they were soon disobedient to the truths of the Lord. Could that not also be said of many marriages? They start out so great, but soon the couple stops following the Lord together and their marriage turns sour.

So…Christians should be careful to only marry Christians. We should make sure that the one we marry is the one the Lord wants us to marry; and, starting our lives together with the Lord, we have to be careful to maintain our walk together with the Lord. If we would be careful to follow these three principles, we can be assured of marriages that will last; that will bring us joy; and that will honor the Lord.

In the New Testament, we are introduced to a husband and wife named Aquila and Priscilla. They served the Lord together and are always mentioned together as a team. I challenge you to look them up and read about them. They are a great example for all Christian couples.