Bible Question:
Matt 5:27-28 Mark 10:10-12 In these verses it specifically addresses the mans right to divorce a woman under the grounds of adultery, but it does not specifically say a woman can divorce her husband. Is a woman biblically allowed the right to divorce a man under these grounds (porn as adultery) or does she have to seperate and wait for her husband to divorce her? |
Bible Answer: Bandaid, Thank you for your kind reply, I have gained much understanding into your situation. I have been looking into this all day and I think I have what may be of interest to you. There are many who may argue that the viewing of pornography would not be grounds for divorce. However if this practice includes masturbation and this spouse becomes so addicted to pornography that it becomes a barrier to the one flesh union, then the vows spoken in the marriage covenant are broken, and biblically, it defiles the marriage bed. Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. (Heb 13:4) The actions of your husband may very well break the marriage covenant and thus the marriage bond would be considered effectively severed. (Here's the disclaimer:) Yet, this is not considered an unforgivable sin and there are other verses that would likely apply to temper one's judgement with love and forgiveness. In 1 Corinthians 7:3, Paul says, "Let the husband render unto his wife due benevolence" (KJV). So, in the marriage relationship, conjugal relations are considered a duty, and could amount to a debt that is unfulfilled. This may require the offending party to make reparations to an injured spouse. The KJV translators considered it as 'benevolence'. Benevolence implies affection -including during the act of physical love. I believe that what Paul is saying in 1Cor 7 is that every spouse is due normal affection in the form of normal conjugal relations. Yet, it may become impossible for you, the wife (due to the knowledge of sinful activity) to receive what is owed, which is described in the KJV as benevolence. Impossible, because the sexual relationship likely ends up being a disgusting act. I am aware that marriages should not be based upon the success of the sex life, there is more to life than that. (next disclaimer:) Therefore, this is not intended as a justification for any wife to file for divorce because her husband is not perfectly fulfilling her benevolence that is due. However, it does establish that when there is habitual addiction to pornography, then the wife can claim that their marriage bed has been defiled. Since you began asking for scriptural references, I have one more for you that you may find interesting: Exod 21:10-11 God Bless, and bless God. keliy |