Divorce is a sensitive and complicated issue.
For many people, it is a difficult decision to make.
No couple on their wedding day thinks, “I’m getting married today, but three years from now, my partner and I will split up.”
Still, divorce becomes inevitable.
In the United States alone, 40%-50% of marriages end in separation.
But what does the Bible say about divorce? Are there reasons for divorce that are accepted in the Bible?
After all, Jesus sternly warns against it, saying, “God has joined together, let no man separate.”
In this article, we will discuss the top 10 reasons for divorce in the Bible and how to avoid them.
Adultery
One of the primary reasons for divorce in the Bible is adultery.
The Bible treats marriage as a sacred covenant, and when infidelity is involved, the betrayal of this covenant causes serious repercussions.
Adultery can cause significant emotional pain and damage to the relationship.
Even if both parties choose to stay, the damage done is oftentimes irreversible.
To avoid this, both partners need to be committed to maintaining the marital bond and building a strong foundation of trust.
Abandonment
Abandonment is another reason for divorce in the Bible.
If a spouse is physically or emotionally absent from the marriage, it can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
In 1 Corinthians 7:15, Paul writes that if an unbelieving partner chooses to leave, the believing spouse should let them be.
There are many reasons why a spouse might want to abandon their partner, but to avoid it from happening altogether, couples need to prioritize spending quality time together and work towards creating a solid emotional connection.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is never acceptable in a marriage, and it is a valid reason for divorce in the Bible.
No one should have to endure violence or intimidation in their marriage.
The rape of Tamar by her half-brother Ammon is one example of physical abuse.
Although the two were not technically a couple, it’s an excellent biblical illustration of what physical abuse looks like.
Among married couples, avoiding physical abuse either by the man or the woman requires addressing any underlying issues of anger or aggression and seeking help from a counselor or therapist.
Emotional Abuse
Proverbs 12:18 reminds us that our words are powerful and that reckless words can pierce like a sword.
In marriage, emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse and is another reason for divorce in the Bible.
Verbal abuse, manipulation, and control can cause significant emotional harm to a spouse.
When emotional abuse happens all the time, the victim must decide to stand up to the abuser.
Even if the abuser is humble enough to admit their mistake and promises to change, it would be better if the couple decides to seek counseling as early as possible.
Addiction
Addiction to drugs, alcohol, or other destructive behaviors can be a reason for divorce in the Bible.
It can cause significant strain on the relationship and lead to feelings of mistrust and resentment.
While the word “addiction” is not found in the Bible, there are many instances where we are reminded to remain sober.
In marriages, couples need to be supportive of each other and seek professional help if addiction is causing problems in the relationship.
Addiction is a serious problem that can lead to emotional and physical abuse.
When not dealt with, the issue can fester and become destructive.
Financial Problems
On their wedding day, the couple promises to stay together “for richer or for poorer.”
However, this is not always the case with many married couples.
While love and respect are important for a relationship to stay strong, a marriage will fail if it’s constantly bombarded with financial struggles.
The simplest way to avoid this problem is for the couple to take finance classes that will help them manage their finances and investments well.
Sexual Immorality
Among all the many possible reasons for divorce, sexual immorality is the one highlighted by Jesus in Matthew 19:9.
Jesus said that anyone who divorces their wife, except for sexual immorality, has committed adultery.
Sexual immorality is not only limited to having sexual relations with someone you’re not married to.
It could also mean pornography or voyeurism.
These can lead to feelings of shame and guilt in a marriage.
And no, it’s not only men who commit these errors.
Even women do.
Couples need to be committed to maintaining a healthy sexual relationship and avoid any behavior that could lead to temptation to keep this from happening.
Incompatibility
An excellent example of incompatibility in marriage is described in 2 Corinthians 6:14.
Here, Paul commands believers not to be yoked with unbelievers.
When two people have different values, goals, or personalities, it can make it challenging to maintain a thriving relationship.
The good news is that incompatibility is something that can be worked on.
Couples need to communicate honestly and openly and strive hard to find common ground in their relationship for the marriage to prosper.
Communication Breakdown
A lot of marriages end up in divorce simply because of poor communication.
James 1:19 states that everyone should be slow to speak and quick to listen.
Failure to adhere to this common often leads to communication breakdown.
This results in misunderstandings and conflicts in a marriage and is another reason for divorce in the Bible.
If the couple is willing, fixing communication problems is rather easy.
They only need to commit to improving themselves by listening without being defensive and learning to express themselves in a positive manner.
Loss of Love
While Revelation 2:4 isn’t literally about the marriage of a man and a woman, it is a spot-on example of what it means for a marriage to break down as a result of a loss of love.
When love fades from a marriage, it can be a reason for divorce in the Bible.
However, one should understand that losing one’s affection for a person once loved doesn’t happen overnight.
It happens in phases, and more often than not, the issue worsens because the couple refuses to deal with it in its early stages.
Loss of love can be avoided.
Couples need only to prioritize their relationship and work towards maintaining a strong emotional connection.
This may involve spending quality time together, expressing love and appreciation, and seeking help if necessary.
Conclusion
While it is never desirable, divorce is a delicate and difficult subject that occasionally becomes unavoidable.
Yet it’s crucial to remember that divorce is never something to take lightly and that there are biblical justifications for it.
If you are currently in a marriage and are facing any of the issues listed above, it is important to seek help and support.
There are options available to assist couples in navigating these challenging difficulties and working towards developing a strong and healthy relationship, whether it be through counseling, therapy, or spiritual advice.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that prevention is always better than cure.
Couples should place a high priority on efficient communication, try to develop a solid emotional bond, and ask for assistance and support when needed to avoid these problems.
It’s also vital to keep in mind that no marriage is flawless and that every couple will experience difficulties at some time in their union.
However, by working together and being committed to the marriage covenant, couples can overcome these challenges and build a strong and lasting relationship.
Finally, despite the fact that the Bible contains legitimate justifications for divorce, it is crucial for couples to work toward establishing a solid, healthy marriage and to ask for support when they need it.
By doing so, couples can overcome challenges and build a strong and lasting marriage.
