~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: Is there a cause for divorce beside fornication, and what is the meaning of fornication and adultery? (concerning a Christian and a nonbeliever)Answer:
The response I must give comes from God's word as you are well aware. Many times I believe that God expects us to use 'common' sense in understanding what He is relaying to us in the Word of God.
The meaning of the terms adultery and fornication are readily available in Webster's dictionary.
The Bible emphatically states that a man is to properly and respectfully treat his wife. My understanding of the Old Testament, was that a man would give a bill of divorcement to his wife in order that she could remarry. Unfortunately, many were giving these for reasons that were not designed by God. Jesus states that because of the hardness of your hearts Moses gave this bill of divorcement.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. (Eph 5:25 KJV)
Also it states that wives should submit to their own husbands. If these two scriptures were followed, we would have no divorce.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. (Col 3:19 KJV)
And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. (Mat 19:9 KJV)
But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. (Mat 5:32 KJV)
The question you have asked is not easy to answer. Whole denominations are totally split over this question. I can never in all my heart believe that God would require a woman or man to live in an abusive situation where it was physically harmful to them.
The whole issue relative to divorce was greatly abused and that is why it was addressed as it was.
Is divorce forgivable? The answer has to be YES! What should a believer do? Once we come to the knowledge of the TRUTH we must walk in it.
