Expert: Brenda Martin - 8/14/2007

Question
QUESTION: What constitutes grounds for divorce and if both or one party has broken the marriage vow, how is it possible to get a divorce if only one party wants it.  Why is it some people can take the word as it is read and apply it but some people say that it does not apply today, and that it is sexist, as far as marriage and divorce

ANSWER: Hi Edward, you asked--"GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE?"

Jesus Christ said that there is one legitimate grounds for divorce—fornication, that is, all types of sexual intercourse outside of marriage.

Mal. 2:15, 16: “‘You people must guard yourselves respecting your spirit, and with the wife (or husband) of your youth may no one deal treacherously. For he has hated a divorcing,’ Jehovah the God of Israel has said.”

Matt. 19:8, 9: “[Jesus] said to them: ‘Moses, out of regard for your hardheartedness, made the concession to you of divorcing your wives, but such has not been the case from the beginning. I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication [extramarital intercourse], and marries another commits adultery.’” (So the innocent mate is permitted, but not required, to divorce a mate who commits “fornication.”)

Rom. 7:2, 3: “A married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is alive; but if her husband dies, she is discharged from the law of her husband. So, then, while her husband is living, she would be styled an adulteress if she became another man’s. But if her husband dies, she is free from his law, so that she is not an adulteress if she becomes another man’s.”

1 Cor. 6:9-11: “Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men . . . will inherit God’s kingdom. And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean, but you have been sanctified, but you have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.” (This emphasizes the seriousness of the matter. Unrepentant adulterers will have no part in God’s Kingdom. Yet, people who formerly committed adultery, perhaps even improperly getting remarried, can gain God’s forgiveness and a clean standing with him if they are genuinely repentant and exercise faith in the sin-atoning value of Jesus’ sacrifice.)

"HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET A DIVORCE IF ONLY ONE PARTY WANTS IT?"

I think the law requires 5 years then the marriage is dissolved regardless. But you best check, I am not sure about legal matters.

"WHY IS IT SOME PEOPLE CAN TAKE THE WORD AS IT IS READ AND APPLY IT BUT SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT IT DOES NOT APPLY TODAY?"

I presume you mean from God’s word; we are created with free will, God wants people to CHOOSE to serve him, that means they have the choice to disobey him, its really as simple as that. God’s word applies the same today as it did centuries ago, God’s laws never change. People who say “it does not apply today” are merely looking for an excuse for their loose conduct. The fact remains however that; “only those DOING the will of God will be saved” (1 john 2;15-17)

There is another reason why folk disobey God’s laws, the bible tells us; “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one” (1 john 5;19) Jesus spoke of Satan as the “ruler of this world” (john 12;31)

Here is the choice laid before all mankind—

“I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the malediction; and you must choose life in order that you may keep alive, you and your offspring, by loving Jehovah your God, by listening to his voice and by sticking to him; ..” (Duet. 30 ; 19,20)

Why do some see things differently? Here is why; “Satan is blinding the minds” (2 Cor. 4; 4)

All the best
Brenda






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: If you are a follower of the word of god, should you seek divorce?  What would you say to someone that says the bible is not the word of god.

Answer
Hi Edward, you asked--"SHOULD A FOLLOWER OF THE WORD OF GOD SEEK A DIVORCE?"

If a marriage mate commits fornication, no-one can judge the innocent party if he decides he cannot forgive the mate & obtains a divorce. However he may equally choose to forgive & retain the marriage.

God hates a divorcing BUT he does say the “one flesh” bond is broken with the act of fornication & therefore states, it is the only ground for divorce & can be sought.

"WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE THAT SAYS THE BIBLE IS NOT THE WORD OF GOD?"

1. The Bible itself says it is from God, mankind’s Creator

2 Tim. 3:16, 17: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.”

Rev. 1:1: “A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place.”

2 Sam. 23:1, 2: “The utterance of David the son of Jesse . . . The spirit of Jehovah it was that spoke by me, and his word was upon my tongue.”

Isa. 22:15: “This is what the Sovereign Lord, Jehovah of armies, has said.”


2. Bible prophecy explains the meaning of world conditions

Many world leaders acknowledge that mankind is on the brink of disaster. The Bible foretold these conditions long ago; it explains their meaning and what the outcome will be. (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Luke 21:25-31) It tells what we must do in order to survive the impending world destruction, with the opportunity to gain eternal life under righteous conditions here on earth.—Zeph. 2:3; John 17:3; Ps. 37:10, 11, 29.

3. The Bible enables us to understand the purpose of life

It answers such questions as: Where did life come from? (Acts 17:24-26) Why are we here? Is it just to live a few years, get what we can out of life, and then die?—Gen. 1:27, 28; Rom. 5:12; John 17:3; Ps. 37:11; Ps. 40:8.

Surely a book that claims to be from God, that explains both the meaning of world conditions and the purpose of life, and that shows how our problems will be solved is worthy of consideration.

4. It is filled with prophecies reflecting detailed knowledge of the future—something impossible for humans

2 Pet. 1:20, 21: “No prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.”

5. Its contents are scientifically sound on matters that human researchers discovered only at a later date

Origin of the Universe: Gen. 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” In 1978, astronomer Robert Jastrow wrote: “Now we see how the astronomical evidence leads to a biblical view of the origin of the world. The details differ, but the essential elements in the astronomical and biblical accounts of Genesis are the same: the chain of events leading to man commenced suddenly and sharply at a definite moment in time, in a flash of light and energy.”—God and the Astronomers (New York, 1978), p. 14.

6. Its internal harmony is significant

This is especially so in view of the fact that the books of the Bible were recorded by some 40 men as diverse as king, prophet, herdsman, tax collector, and physician. They did the writing over a period of 1,610 years; so there was no opportunity for collusion. Yet their writings agree, even in the smallest detail. To appreciate the extent to which the various portions of the Bible are harmoniously intertwined, you must read and study it personally.

My favourite is saying to a person; Imagine walking into a Library & picking up 66 books all written at different times in history & all written by different authors, would you expect them to agree? No of course not.

Yet that is what the bible is; a collection of books written over a period of 1600 years by men as diverse as kings & a shepherds & yet they all agree with one another in every detail, in fact each book dovetails into the other, that in itself is outstanding evidence that the Bible is inspired of God.

All the best
Brenda