AIFS Stats 2010
• 46% of all marriages end in divorce in Oz
• Australia in the top 3 globally (worst)
• All ages affected by divorce – esp. 25-40
• Pentecostal Christians = 13.7% (3rd lowest)
of those “currently divorced”
• Top 3 reasons:
1. Communication Problems - 27.3%
2. Incompatability “drifted apart” - 21.0%
3. Spouse had affair - 20.1%
Biblical Marriage:
• Between one man and one woman.
Co-Habiting without marriage is sin- fornication or adultery.
Ex. 22:16-17; John 4:17-18; Deut. 22:18-29; 1 Cor. 5:9-11; 6:9-10.
• Note- The 1 Cor. Verses which seem to say sexual union = “1 flesh” are actually
speaking about the corrupting of our union with Christ- it is not specifically
addressing human marriage. Intercourse alone does not = Biblical Marriage
• Marriage = Covenant. Mal. 2:14-16. 3 Components:
• Words or Promises- including:
-- Willingness- Gen 24:5-8 to be married
– Vows- God- Ez. 16:8; 59-63 see also Num. 30:1-16 (6-8 esp)
– Witnesses- Family affair in OT- God Himself- Mal. 2:14
(Also observance of local customs and laws implied- Ruth 4; Rom 13)
• Sacrifice- sexual? – Sacrificial living one for another- excluding all others, for life!
• Seal or tokens – in our culture- rings.
God, Marriage & Divorce
• Matthew 19:3 Then some Pharisees came to him
in order to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful to
divorce a wife for any cause?” 19:4 He answered,
“Have you not read that from the beginning the
Creator made them male and female, 19:5 and said,
‘For this reason a man will leave his father and
mother and will be united with his wife, and the two
will become one flesh’? 19:6 So they are no longer
two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined
together, let no one separate.” NET (See Genesis 2)
God, Marriage & Divorce
• Malachi 2:14 Yet you ask, “Why?” The Lord is testifying
against you on behalf of the wife you married when you
were young, to whom you have become unfaithful even
though she is your companion and wife by law. 2:15 No one
who has even a small portion of the Spirit in him does
this. What did our ancestor do when seeking a child from
God? Be attentive, then, to your own spirit, for one should
not be disloyal to the wife he took in his youth. 2:16 “I hate
divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel, “and the one who is
guilty of violence,” says the Lord who rules over all.
“Pay attention to your conscience,
and do not be unfaithful.” NET
Divorce and Christians
• When can a Christian divorce and remarry?
• #1 – When your spouse dies
• 1 Corinthians 7:39 A wife is bound as long as her husband
is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry
anyone she wishes (only someone in the Lord). 7:40 But in
my opinion, she will be happier if she remains as she is –
and I think that I too have the Spirit of God!
Divorce and Christians
• When can a Christian divorce and remarry?
• #2 – When your spouse is adulterous
• Matthew 5:31 “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife
must give her a legal document.’ 5:32 But I say to you that
everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality,
makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a
divorced woman commits adultery.
See also Matthew 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
Divorce and Christians
• When can a Christian divorce and remarry?
• #2 – When your spouse is adulterous
• Gk. moicheia = adultery Matt. 5:32
Gk. porneia = a range of sexual sin Matt. 5:32;19:9
• Note- This is implied as permissiblethe pursuit of reconciliation is always our goal
See 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
See also Matthew 5:31; 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
Divorce and Christians
• When can a Christian divorce and remarry?
• #3 – When your unsaved spouse divorces you
• 1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbeliever wants a divorce,
let it take place. In these circumstances the brother or
sister is not bound. God has called you in peace.
Divorce and Christians
• When can a Christian divorce and remarry?
• Scripture gives no other specified legitimate cause
• Matthew 19:8 Jesus said to them, “Moses permitted you
to divorce your wives because of your hard hearts, but
from the beginning it was not this way.
Hardness of heart on one or both of the parties is the
underlying reason why all other divorce occurs
• Treachery or Treasonous behaviour
Divorce and Christians
• But what about......
• When my Christian spouse insists on divorce?
• When genuine abuse is present in the marriage?
(Or other serious extenuating circumstances – eg paedophilia)
• When we realise we are just simply incompatible?
• I was divorced before I became a Christian?
Divorce and Christians
• So I’m saved, and I divorced un-biblically and remarried
and I shouldn’t have...
• Unforgiveable sin? 1 John 1:9
• Grace and Truth
• Each case on it’s merits – context?
• Consequences – life and leadership
• What does repentance look like?
• What is your faith conviction? Romans 14:23