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NASB | Matthew 19:9 "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 19:9 "I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." |
Bible Question:
I've struggled with this verse as it relates to my personal situation. I'm a divorced woman who has remarried. I didn't choose to be divorced from my first husband, he initiated it. I found out later it was because he wanted to be with another woman. I have since remarried, and am wholly convinced that my current husband is the man the Lord intended me to spend my life with. My current husband was also married before; he left his first wife several years before I met him, mainly because they were incompatible. So, in light of Matt 19:9... 1. Was my divorce "acceptable" in God's eyes? This verse doesn't seem to address situations where the *man* has been unfaithful. I regard my first husband's actions as adultery, since he was guilty of lust in his heart (if not otherwise) for another woman. Does this make me "innocent"? 2. Was my current husband's divorce "acceptable" in God's eyes? I don't believe it was. 3. Are either my current husband or myself guilty of adultery, in the context of Matthew 19:9? Even if my divorce can somehow be justified, if my husband's can't, does that make either of us guilty? As I mentioned, I'm convinced that God meant for me and my current husband to be together. In retrospect I see that neither of us could have had God's blessings regarding our first marriages. This has really troubled me for some time, and even my pastors haven't been able to help me sort through this to my satisfaction. Thanks for any comments, comforting or not! |
Bible Answer: Scripture ... Due 24:1-4; Pro 21:1; Mat 5:27-32, 19:3-9; 1 Co 7:10-15, 26-27a; 2 Ti 4:3; 1 Jo 1:9 ... Going to you pastors was wise. I will try to give you Scripture to support my thoughts, which is not advice. Do not seek satisfaction by having your way, by having your ears tickled (2 Ti 4:3). 1. Was my divorce "acceptable" in God's eyes? ... Only if he wasn't a Christian (1 Co 7:10-15). It doesn't matter who initiated it, if both are Christians -- it is wrong to divorce. His guilt (Mat 5:27-32) doesn't make you innocent (absolve you). 2. Was my current husband's divorce "acceptable" in God's eyes? ... Only if she wasn't a Christian and she initiated it (1 Cor 7:10-15) or they both were not Christians at the time. We cannot say if they were Christians or not -- only they can. 3. Are either my current husband or myself guilty of adultery, in the context of Matthew 19:9? Even if my divorce can somehow be justified, if my husband's can't, does that make either of us guilty? ... While either or both of you may be guilty of adultery (Mat 19:3-9), you are forgiven -- confess it (1 Jo 1:9). Getting another divorce would be another sin, even to go back to the first spouse (Due 24:1-4). "God's blessings" not being in a marriage is also not a justification. He puts people together, even if they are not Christians. Look what He does to kings (Pro 21:1). We all make choices and should learn from life lessons. I hope this helps, Searcher PS Use the Quick Search function and type in the word divorce or remmariage to see what has been discussed before. |