In most western countries, almost half the marriages end up in a divorce. That’s a very sad thing to hear. You might think, that this high divorce rate applies only to unbelievers, but unfortunately that’s not true. Many marriages of Christians also end up in a divorce. But why do so many Christians get a divorce? Why is the divorce rate among Christians so high? Хорошо, the answer to this question is, that most Christians are not born again and stay carnal. This might be shocking to you, but it’s true. Most Christians stay carnal and live like the world and therefore the spirit of divorce also operates in their lives. Many Christians stay the old creation and live after the flesh, which means they are controlled by their senses, эмоции, мысли, чувства, воля, вожделения, желания, и т. д., and feed themselves with the things of this world. Instead of feeding themselves with the Word and being led by the Word and the Spirit, Who represents the will of God. But what is God’s view on divorce? Что говорит Библия о разводе? Does God approve of divorce and is divorce God’s will or is divorce a sin? What did Jesus say about divorce? When may a Christian divorce?
Who is the new creation?
Когда ты родиться заново во Христе, Вы становитесь новое творение. You’ve changed from the старое творение into новое творение. The new creation is born of the Spirit of God and has received the nature of God, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will reveal His will to you.
Через Иисуса Христа, Его кровью, you were reconciled with God and перенесен из царства тьмы, в Царство Божие, где Иисус Христос Царь (Колоссянам 1:13-14). Therefore you are no longer a henchman of the devil. Ты больше не сын дьявола, но ты стал сыном Божьим (это касается как мужчин, так и женщин).
Прежде чем ты родился свыше, вы были старое творение. You were carnal and lived after the flesh. The devil was the ruler of your life, and he wanted you to keep living in sin. Because by sinning, the devil could keep you in bondage.
All the characteristics of the devil were present in you (твоя плоть), like selfishness, haughtiness, гордость, a desire of being worshipped and exalted by others, нетерпение, злость, волнение, ревность, завидовать, страх, gossip, speaking evil about others (which is killing others with your words), врущий, и т. д..
But when you became новое творение, you received a new nature; the nature of God. You exchanged your old carnal nature with its evil character for a new godly nature with a righteous and holy character.
This new character of the spirit, loves God with all the mind, душа, сердце, and strength and loves his neighbour as himself, and has joy, мир, long-suffering, tolerance, gentleness, доброта, вера, meekness, patience, умеренность, and life, и т. д..
It’s not about you, but about Him
When you became a new creation, it was no longer about you, but about Him. It was no longer about, what you wanted, but what God wants; what the Word says. Because you have laid down your life. You’ve died in Jesus Christ and buried your ‘self’, старое творение, через крещение. С этого момента, it was no longer the carnal you, who lives, but Jesus Christ in you, who lives.
If we would all die to ‘self’, and begin to live after the Spirit, doing what the Word says, then there would be unity. There would be unity in the church, unity among the saints, unity in marriage, unity in families, etc..
Так, if there is so much disharmony among the children of God, we can conclude that the ‘self’ has not died yet. Everyone still has their own opinions, instead of having God’s opinion, doing his or her own will instead of God’s will, and going his or her own way instead of God’s way. (Читайте также: ‘Не мое мнение, but His opinion’)
Now with all this in mind, let’s have a look at the subject of divorce in the Bible. Let’s have a look at what kind of arguments and excuses many Christians use to get a divorce, as opposed to what the scriptures in the Bible say about divorce. Что говорит Библия о разводе? Under what conditions may a Christian divorce?
‘Don’t be so old-fashioned,
divorces are part of the age we live in!'
This is a big lie of the devil. During all ages, divorces were part of humanity: before and during the time of Moses, during the time of Jesus, and during the time of the apostles. Moses, Иисус, and also Paul and Peter talked about marriage and divorce in the Bible.
What we do see, is that we live at the end of the last days. We see a rapid increase in sin and iniquity. Люди, включая верующих, are rebellious and don’t what to be told what to do. Вместо, they do what they want to do and live according to their own will, after their own lusts and desires of the flesh.
They are selfish and have no respect for others. They don’t listen to the Word of God, let alone submit to the Word of God and obey the Word of God. Therefore they don’t live after the Word of God anymore and don’t do His will.
Their love for themselves and the world is greater than their love for God. Because if they would love God, and love Jesus, then they would obey His Word. They would keep Его заповеди and live according to Его воля.
Divorce is a result of the hardness of the heart
Let’s have a look at what Jesus said about divorce and the divorce letter that Moses gave. Иисус сказал, “Моисей по жестокосердию вашему позволил вам разводиться с женами вашими: но с начала все было не так” (Мэтью 19:8).
If people want to get a divorce, then Jesus says, that the cause of the divorce is the hardness of the heart.
When we look at the translation of hardness of the heart, we see that the Greek word is ‘sklērokardía‘ (G4641 Strong’s concordance) и означает: hard-heartedness, то есть. (specially), destitution of (духовный) perception:—hardness of heart.
Their heart was not converted and they were not spiritual, but they lived after their own will and lusts and desires of the flesh. They didn’t want to submit to the will of God; to His commandments and ordinances, but they wanted to live after their own will.
The hardness of the heart means spiritual poverty. If the Spirit doesn’t reign in someone’s life, the flesh reigns. And if the flesh reigns, it means that the person is unspiritual and therefore spiritually poor. The believer is carnal and will bear the fruit of the flesh, instead of the плод Духа.
“But my husband isn’t a believer, and my life is so hard. I’m not sure how long I can take this”
Слово говорит, that by the woman’s walk; by her way of living, and by her behaviour, the husband will be drawn to the Kingdom of God (Читайте также 'How to convert your spouse’).
Therefore if your spouse is not converted yet, then he is not the only one, who is responsible and the cause of all your disagreements, драки, и т. д.. But it is also because of your behaviour and your walk. Examine your life and look at the kind of fruit you produce.
You may have another opinion or experience, but the Bible is the truth and goes beyond your opinion and experience.
Are you going through a rough time? Then turn to the Word, listen to what the Word has to say, and obey the word. Remember that the Lord says, that His commandments are not heavy at all.
The Word encourages you and gives you strength and peace. The Lord says, “I give you peace”. Jesus doesn’t say, “I give you anxiety or depression”. Поэтому, when you are exhausted, wearied, тревожный, депрессивный, and about to give up, then turn to the Word, spend time with Him and stay in Him.
When you do what the Word says, и ходить по Духу, you shall bear the плод Духа в вашей жизни.
The more time you spend with Him, обнови свой разум, and do what the Bible tells you to do, the more Jesus will become visible in your life and your spouse will be drawn to Him and will покаяться. Because the Word says that by your walk; your behaviour, your husband shall repent.
“Да, but my pastor approves divorce”
A pastor should be an ambassador of the Kingdom of God and represent the Word of God and live a life like Jesus. Это значит, that a pastor should know the Word, подчиняться Слову, and be a doer of the Word (Читайте также: ‘Слушатели против исполнителей').
A pastor should always stay loyal to the Word of God and represent the Word of God to the people. Because it’s not about what the pastor wants or about the pastor’s opinion, Выводы, и т. д.. but it’s all about what God wants and what God’s will is in this matter. What is God’s will for divorce? Что говорит Библия о разводе?
A born-again Christian shall never approve of divorce, because he or she shall always stay obedient to the Word of God and represent and do the will of God.
Так, if your pastor has approved to get a divorce and the reason is not fornication or that the unbeliever has left you, then my question to you is: «who do you obey? Your pastor or God?»
“Да, but my pastor is also divorced”
К сожалению, there are many pastors, who are divorced. Some pastors have even been married and divorced multiple times and still preach from the pulpit. How is that possible? Because they are charismatic eloquent motivational speakers or have inherited their pastor’s office from their family or… (fill out the blanks).
But this behavior shows that the fallen pastor is carnal and prefers to do his will and fulfill the lusts and desires of the flesh instead of submitting to Jesus Christ and doing the will of the Father.
The pastor is still under the bondage of sin and a worker of unrighteousness and controlled by a spirit of adultery and still serves sin and death by obeying this spirit of adultery, instead of reigning over sin and death and walking after the Spirit in holiness and being a worker of righteousness.
The people may say, “God forgives”. And of course, God forgives if someone truly repents of his or her sins, but many times a pastor only opens up and repents because he or she has been caught. Therefore many times, the fallen pastor, who is reinstated, commits the same sin again. Кроме того, the Word nowhere commands to reinstate a fallen pastor in the office of pastor after he or she willfully sinned. Напротив, the Bible is very clear about this. (Читайте также: 'Lay hands on no one suddenly’)
If the pastor willfully sins, how can the pastor discipline and correct the people and tell them to repent and remove the sins from their lives? Точно, the pastor can’t because people will say, “but you have done that too.”
‘I have received a word from God; God told me to divorce my spouse. God approved and instructed me to get a divorce’
Some people receive a word, dream, vision, or prophecy about their spouse, in which God is telling them, that their marriage is not God’s will and that God told them to get a divorce, so that they can wholeheartedly serve God.
If you have received a similar word, then you can reject that word immediately!
It’s amazing how many people receive these words and believe that it’s coming from God. This can’t be a word, dream, vision, or prophecy from God, because God can’t contradict Himself.
In Malachi 2:16 God says that He hates divorce.
If God hates divorce, then how can God instruct you to get a divorce or approve your divorce? Это невозможно!
The Holy Spirit and the Word always cooperate together. They can’t contradict Each Other.
When you have received a word or a dream, vision, prophecy, и т. д., that is not in agreement with the Word of God, then you must always reject it. No matter how wonderful and promising the word, dream vision, or prophecy may be. Because if that word, dream, vision, or prophecy contradicts the Word, then it didn’t come from God, but from the angel of light (дьявол), who tried to lead you into temptation and caused you to sin against God.
Under which two conditions may a Christian divorce?
Библия говорит, when a man (or woman) commits fornication, then the spouse has a right to get a divorce.
Но я говорю тебе, Тот, кто разведет свою жену, сбережения для дела блуда, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery (Мэтью 5:32).
Another reason is, when the unbeliever leaves his spouse, who is a believer.
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace (1 Коринфянам 7:15)
Так, a Christian may divorce when the spouse commits fornication or when the unbelieving spouse leaves him or her.
Что говорит Библия о разводе?
Что говорит Библия о разводе? Прежде всего, you must know that when you get married, you are in a marriage covenant. Every covenant is holy for the Lord. Just like we are in a New Covenant, через Иисуса Христа, a man and a woman are in a marriage covenant. The marriage covenant ends when one of the two dies (1 Коринфянам 7:39, римляне 7:1-3). But let’s have a look at some Scriptures about divorce in the Bible and what God says about divorce and what Jesus says about divorce:
And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Поэтому берегите свой дух, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the Lord, Бог Израиля, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, говорит Господь Саваоф: поэтому береги свой дух, that ye deal not treacherously (Малачи 2:15-16)
Было сказано, Кто разведет жену свою, пусть он даст ей заявление о разводе: Но я говорю тебе, Тот, кто разведет свою жену, сбережения для дела блуда, заставляет ее совершить прелюбодеяние: и кто женится на разведенной, тот прелюбодействует (Мэтью 5:31-32)
‘What God has joined together, let no man put asunder’
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Вы не читали, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, По этой причине человек оставит отца и мать, и прилепится к своей жене: и будут двое одна плоть? Поэтому они больше не близнецы, но одна плоть. Итак, что Бог соединил, да не разлучит человека. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Моисей по жестокосердию вашему позволил вам разводиться с женами вашими: но с начала все было не так. И я говорю тебе, Кто разведет жену свою, кроме прелюбодеяния, и выйду замуж за другого, совершает прелюбодеяние: и кто женится на разведенной, тот прелюбодействует (Мэтью 19:4-9)
Итак, что Бог соединил, да не разлучит человека (Отметка 10:9)
Paul wrote to the church of Corinth the following:
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife (1 Коринфянам 7:10-11)
Divorce is not the will of God
What does God in the Bible say about divorce? What’s God’s view on divorce? Is divorce God’s will? We can conclude from the scriptures in the Bible that divorce is not воля Божия. Бог ненавидит развод! If God hates divorce and we are His children and have His nature, shouldn’t we hate divorce too?
As sons of God, it’s not about our findings, мнения, and what we want, and the world’s findings and opinions, but it’s all about what God wants. God has bought us with the precious blood of Jesus Christ and we belong to God. He is our Lord and we should live according to the will of God. It is therefore impossible, as a son or daughter of God to divorce.
If you are thinking about a divorce or if you are in the process of getting a divorce, you may ask yourself the following question: «are you really born again, and do you love God with all your heart, душа, разум, и сила? And do you serve God and please the Spirit? Or do you love yourself and do you serve yourself and please your flesh?
If you are born again and really love God and serve God, then you should know His Word. You should renew your mind with the Word of God and apply His words in your life, so that you become a doer of the Word and show God that you love Him. Потому что если ты любишь Его, you shall keep His commandments (Читайте также: ‘The hearers vs the doers').
If you don’t study His Word and keep living after your flesh doing your own will and being led by your feelings, мнения, и выводы, then you are equal to a runaway boat without a rudder.
No one forces you to do God’s will. You have made Jesus Christ your Savior and the Lord over your life.
What is God’s will in marriage?
You have made the choice to serve Jesus. If you have decided to serve Jesus, then that means, that you should really serve Jesus and that you do His will instead of your will.
Doing God’s will in marriage means, that you will serve one another. It’s not about receiving but about it’s about giving.
Jesus commanded to love God above all, which means among others, that you will do His will and secondly Jesus commanded to love your neighbour as yourself. In marriage, this means, that you should love your spouse as yourself. It means, that you should treat the other, the way you want to be treated and don’t mistreat your spouse, by lying to your spouse, cheating on your spouse, mentally or physically abusing your spouse, и т. д..
When you start doing this and don’t think about yourself, you shall see that your marriage and your life will change.
«Будь солью земли»
