Read Malachi 2:13-16, Matthew 19:3-12, Matthew 5:31-32It seems like every time I've turned on the TV or radio in the last few days, there's something about Tiger Woods' multiple affairs. America is infatuated with this sports celebrity's domestic situation, and everyone wants to know what his wife is going to do next. Many people think she should leave him, while others claim she should forgive him and move on. While it is really none of our business what she does, I see this as a great opportunity to talk about God's view on divorce. Why does this apply to you as a high schooler? I will explain that as well...
In Malachi 2:16, God says explicitly, "I hate divorce." This couldn't be more clear and doesn't really need an explanation. God hates divorce (but not divorced people...more on that later). He created marriage to be a covenant between a man and woman only separated by death. Matthew 19:6 tells us that those two people have been joined together by God to become one flesh, and they should not be separated.
In Matthew 19:7, the Pharisees challenge Jesus on His teaching concerning divorce by pointing out that Moses permitted divorce. Jesus replies in verse 8 that this was because of their hardness of heart. Their hard hearts made them unwilling to forgive each other and reconcile. Forgiving your spouse for their sins may seem impossible to the wronged party, but we must remember that nothing is impossible with God. When I have no desire to forgive someone, I must pray that the Lord would change my heart and help me to love that person and forgive them. However, many people never ask the Lord to change their hearts and enable them to forgive, because their hearts are hard. They don't think that person deserves forgiveness and they don't intend to give it to them. That person probably doesn't deserve forgiveness, but we must remember that none of us do! Christ died for us to forgive us while we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8). When we have been forgiven of so much ourselves, who are we to withhold our forgiveness to others?
You may also notice that Matt. 19:9 and Matt. 5:32 both include the phrase "except for immorality." Adultery seems to be the exception on divorce, though reconciliation is still the goal. However, if your spouse is unrepentant and unwilling to reconcile and is continuing to commit adultery, there is not much else that the wronged spouse can do. Matt. 19:9 also states that marrying another person after divorcing the first partner is adultery. This is because God sees that covenant of marriage as only broken by death.
This is a very hard teaching, because all of us probably have loved ones who have been divorced. I would reiterate what I said earlier, that although God hates divorce, He certainly doesn't hate divorced people. To think that divorced people are no longer loved by God and used by Him for great purposes would be a lie. Our God heals the broken-hearted, restores them in amazing ways, and still has an incredible plan for their lives.
Why is this important for you to know as a high school student? For one thing, it is vital for you to know what the Bible says on issues such as this. Just because you are young does not give you an excuse to be ignorant of biblical truth! Also, you need to know how serious it is to link yourself up with a guy. You may think that dating in high school doesn't mean anything, because you probably won't marry that person anyway. However, you never know what may happen. Dating people you never intend to marry makes absolutely no sense. You are giving your heart away to someone you will never commit to, which only leads to pain, heartache, and emotional baggage. Choose the people you date carefully. When you choose your future husband, make sure it is someone of integrity, spiritual depth, strong character, and a firm commitment to the Lord. Though the world treats marriage and divorce flippantly, the Lord certainly does not! In His eyes, you are to be committed to that person for life, so choose wisely~
