On Divorce

Q: If God hates divorce, how does a Christian know when to get a divorce? (Or are Christians never allowed to divorce?)

A: You could ask ten theologians this question and probably get ten different answers. I believe the most definitive answer is found in Jesus' actual words recorded in Matthew 19. Read the whole chapter. Consider what it says.

Essentially divorce is not God's will for us. Rather God intends for marriage to be a deep, lasting commitment that we make with each other exclusively. However, God is aware of the fact that our hearts are imperfect. Sometimes they can be so wounded that, aside from Him, they cannot go through one more day of this painful existence. So on those rare occasions, God allows divorce.

But keep in mind that just because God may allow divorce in certain circumstances --- He may not have allowed divorce in your circumstance. Moreover, just because He allows divorce doesn't mean that He always allows divorce. The thing here is that divorce is not your choice or your option. But you can petition the Lord and if He allows it, you can get a divorce. So in a sense, you are requesting His permission to leave this marriage institution that God supposedly put together.