A Word Concerning Divorce (Part 2) Series

A Word Concerning Divorce (Part 2)

Matthew 5: 31-32

Today, I would like to finish up our study of the portion of the Sermon on the Mount where our Lord dealt with divorce. As I mentioned last time, it is not my intention to single out or condemn any who have faced divorce. I am aware of the pain and devastation that you have already experienced in that regard and I certainly don’t want to add to your hurt. It is not my goal to belittle or look down upon any one; I simply want us to honestly consider what the Bible has to say about this serious matter. We will all have to agree that divorce is rampant in our society, and in the vast majority of circumstances, it brings suffering and pain to those involved.

So, let’s continue to examine the imperatives our Lord reveals as we consider the conclusion of: A Word Concerning Divorce. In our last study we discussed:

I. The Perception of Divorce (31-32)

A. The View of the World (31) – The world views it as permissible under most any circumstance.

B. The View of our Lord (32) – Also Mark 10: 2-9. Christ revealed that they were looking at it from the wrong

perspective. Rather than focusing on whether divorce was permissible, He challenged them to consider God’s

initial plan for marriage.

II. The Devastation of Divorce (32) – 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. In this statement Jesus revealed much regarding the devastation of divorce. I can think of none who have faced it without enduring great hurt and long-lasting effects. Let’s take a moment to consider the truths that are spoken regarding divorce. First we see:

A. The Separation of Divorce – Jesus spoke of a man putting away his wife. This bears a strong implication. It literally means “to let go; dismiss; disown; or cast off.” It has the idea of cutting all ties with. We are all aware that divorce causes separation, but that puts it in perspective. It reveals the harshness and devastation of the separation.

Keep in mind it was never God’s will for this to happen. Mark 10:8-9 – And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. I have experienced the separation caused by divorce, being raised in a broken home. I have lived with the hurt and devastation of that separation. I know the pain of a home that was divided due to divorce. Often a couple feels divorce is the only option, but they never stop to consider the difficulty of the separation it always brings.

Sadly, it isn’t limited to physical separation. There is always an emotional and psychological separation as well. The scars and hurt of divorce heal very slowly, if at all.

B. The Sin of Divorce – whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery. Jesus spoke of what it commonly known as “the exception clause.” He revealed that with the exception of fornication, divorce results in adultery. Sin is always at the heart of divorce. I say that with a heart of love, but it is true nonetheless. You may have suffered a failed relationship that ended in divorce, by no fault of your own, but there was sin on the part of your spouse. You may have been faithful to the marriage relationship, seeking to work through the difficulty, but your spouse was engaged in an extramarital affair. Sin was at the heart of that affair. God intended for marriage to be for life and yet many times sin enters the relationship and it is terminated. I can think of no circumstance where sin is not directly involved with divorce.

C. The Succession of Divorce – 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. The devastation of divorce does not end once the papers are final. It has lasting effects that often affect other people. I will deal with the exception in a moment, but apart from that, those who marry divorced persons are engaging in adultery as well. Sin has consequences that are often far reaching. Divorce is no different; it always affects more than the two people that decided to get a divorce.

This is a different aspect, but it is related to the succession of divorce: often children who grow up in broken homes are more likely to view marriage as temporary because of the example that was set before them. Typically, one of two things happens: they will either follow in the footsteps of their parents, or they will determine to take a different path. Clearly the divorce rate in our society reflects the casual approach that many have regarding marriage. I always counsel couples to make a commitment that they will not resort to divorce as a solution to their problems.