12/11/2022 - THE EXCLUSION CAUSED BY DIVORCE

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But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. Matthew 5.32

Infidelity is the only exception to divorce and is condemned in the Bible, as Malachi said: For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. Therefore, take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously (Malachi 2.16). According to this verse, it is not good to want that which displeases God, such as divorce, and to use our garments, the revelations of the Word, to cover up violence.

When one party decides to abandon the other, calling for divorce (provided it is legal in the country), and if the abandoned party has not betrayed, the former causes the other to be exposed to adultery. Thus, the one who has separated will be blamed for causing the other to go down that horrible path. No one should want such guilt for themselves, for whoever has it will be a defendant in the eternal Judgment. Why create problems and be condemned to hell? Aren’t the mistakes of youth enough? Obey God and live!

If the repudiating side has neither erred nor been betrayed, that person and the one they end up marrying will commit adultery (Matthew 19.9). This teaching of Jesus is very serious. It does not matter what the law of men says, but what the law of God declares. We will not be judged by what has been decided in the parliaments or the judiciaries of the world, only by what the Lord has put in His Service Manual. He has every right to prescribe our way of life, for we were created by Him, for Him and in Him (Romans 11.36).

Adultery also happens when someone looks at another person with impure intentions (Matthew 5.28). Those who do not restrain themselves need to seek from God deliverance from this demon sent to lead them to the second death (Revelation 21.8; 22.15). Those who have this deviation should go to the Lord in prayer and really ask for deliverance. Married people should never lust after anyone unless they want to become defendants of the Final Judgment.

The book of Proverbs uses a strong language in order to show how wrong the adulterer is: Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul (Proverbs 6.32). God shows the consequence of this act: Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away. (Proverbs 6.33). Here is the question: Why would a person seek to become vile, knowing that his shame would never be erased?

Scripture further notes what will happen to the adulterer, warning that the betrayed spouse will not give forgiveness in the day of vengeance: For jealousy is a husband’s fury; therefore, he will not spare in the day of vengeance. (v. 34). The Bible also deals with the irreducibility of the betrayed person: He will accept no recompense, nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts (v. 35). Think about it and make up your mind. Will you sin?

Before you make the decision to end your marriage, think: what if you were the wrong one in this story? Would you confess and expect to be forgiven? There is nothing better than to live with God, waiting for Christ’s return, when only the saved who are in fellowship with Him will ascend to Glory!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares