Biblical Reasons for Divorce?

[Vickilynn]

NO.

She says that his stealing and lying proves he does not love her or the vow he made to her and as such, has committed adultery.

It appears that she is making his 'lying' out to = no love for her which = adultery. The equation is faulty. Though I feel for her in such a situation, her husband has a serious addiction which does not prove what she thinks it does. All it proves is that he has a serious problem with an addiction.

Though I'm not in the marriage, maybe there is some other way that he's shown to be actualy 'adulterous' that has not been mentioned.

Shalom Firehill,

Good question. I've asked it myself. I only know what I've been told by the wife. She says she doesn't believe he has been adulterous in any other way, but that his continued lying makes it impossible to know for sure. But, no, she is not accusing him of adultery with another person, but with his affections (i.e., the drugs over their marriage), OIW,

because he has chosen the drugs (lied, stolen etc.) she says the adultery is with the drugs.

See, her position is that she can divorce him Biblically, using the term adultery, but she is saying the adultery is with the drugs. She says the husband has chosen the drugs over their marriage, is preferring the drugs, having an "affair" with the drugs if you will.

Has anyone heard this argument before? It's a new one on me.

[Wingwalker]

From what you have stated, i would also say no to a biblical divorce. It sounds as though this husband needs rehab, preferably in-patient, since he is refusing to be accountable to a mentor at church. They both need serious marital counseling as well.

But it sounds like the wife wants a divorce and is trying to justify it biblically by calling his additiction adultery.

I feel a separation and counseling might work as well. I dont know the couple, so I am only assuming by what information is given--

[Openly Curious]

NO.

She says that his stealing and lying proves he does not love her or the vow he made to her and as such, has committed adultery.

It appears that she is making his 'lying' out to = no love for her which = adultery. The equation is faulty. Though I feel for her in such a situation, her husband has a serious addiction which does not prove what she thinks it does. All it proves is that he has a serious problem with an addiction.

Though I'm not in the marriage, maybe there is some other way that he's shown to be actualy 'adulterous' that has not been mentioned.

Shalom Firehill,

Good question. I've asked it myself. I only know what I've been told by the wife. She says she doesn't believe he has been adulterous in any other way, but that his continued lying makes it impossible to know for sure. But, no, she is not accusing him of adultery with another person, but with his affections (i.e., the drugs over their marriage), OIW,

because he has chosen the drugs (lied, stolen etc.) she says the adultery is with the drugs.

See, her position is that she can divorce him Biblically, using the term adultery, but she is saying the adultery is with the drugs. She says the husband has chosen the drugs over their marriage, is preferring the drugs, having an "affair" with the drugs if you will.

Has anyone heard this argument before? It's a new one on me.

Vickilyn,

I have heard this bogus argument many times before and it stems from the belief of spiritual adultery when we turn our backs on God and return to serving idols. You may have never heard it before but it has been out there and it is growing even more and more as people are accepting this idea for grounds to divorce their mates but it is a false concept people are embracing as an excuse to get a divorce.

Even the word tells us what they were doing in the old days they were putting their wives away for "any" cause not just for the cause of adultery which was wrong. This false concept does not apply calling other problems one has in their lives so called "adultery" it want wash in God's eyes and God knows the deciet in the hearts.

OC

[chrisb]

Boy that is a stretch. Ask her how she justifies that theory. Sounds like the husband needs help. Maybe she needs to be a little more proactive. Keep her meds on her at all times, or remove them from the house completely. If she genuinely needs these sleeping pills or whatever, maybe she could just bring home enough for her to take on a daily basis.

This will solve the problem of his stealing her pills, but it may make the whole situation worse, if he starts buying them illegally. Rehab sounds totally warranted in this situation. Scripts are some of the hardest drugs to kick.

[Guest Biblicist]

In answer to your situation Vickilynn, let God's word speak for itself.

Love covers over a multitude of sins.

I hear a lot about unrepentant adultry being the only Biblical reason for divorce. What about a woman who's life is in danger from an abusive husband, or a man who is endangering the lives of their children by his angry abusive behaviour?

Would God want a woman to stay with a man who is beating her [for whatever reason] or their children?

[Vickilynn]

I hear a lot about unrepentant adultry being the only Biblical reason for divorce. What about a woman who's life is in danger from an abusive husband, or a man who is endangering the lives of their children by his angry abusive behaviour?

Would God want a woman to stay with a man who is beating her [for whatever reason] or their children?

Shalom,

Thank you, but that's not really the question.

The question I'm asking is that is this wife's claim that the drugs are the adulteress, BIBLICALLY sound? I don't see it in the Scriptures and I have never heard this claim before.

But, OC brought it up in another way. Is "Spiritual adultery", the same Biblical grounds for divorce as physical adultery?

[Guest Biblicist]

I hear a lot about unrepentant adultry being the only Biblical reason for divorce. What about a woman who's life is in danger from an abusive husband, or a man who is endangering the lives of their children by his angry abusive behaviour?

Would God want a woman to stay with a man who is beating her [for whatever reason] or their children?

Shalom,

Thank you, but that's not really the question.

The question I'm asking is that is this wife's claim that the drugs are the adulteress, BIBLICALLY sound? I don't see it in the Scriptures and I have never heard this claim before.

But, OC brought it up in another way. Is "Spiritual adultery", the same Biblical grounds for divorce as physical adultery?

Well I answered that question.

We forgive much because we have been forgiven much. Love covers over a multitude of sins.

I'm just tired of hearing everyone argue about adultery being the ONLY Biblical reason for divorce, when clearly there are none. If a abuse is not a Biblical reason for divorce, adultry should not be either.

[chrisb]

I hear a lot about unrepentant adultry being the only Biblical reason for divorce. What about a woman who's life is in danger from an abusive husband, or a man who is endangering the lives of their children by his angry abusive behaviour?

Would God want a woman to stay with a man who is beating her [for whatever reason] or their children?

It is not the only Biblical reason. Abandonment is also mentioned. I would argue that a husband abusing his wife is abandonment. She is not physically able to live with the husband because her safety is in danger. He has abandoned her. I think one must give the husband a chance to correct his behavior, and if he refuses to divorce would be the answer. This one is a bit fuzzier than the adultery question though in my opinion. In other words immediate separation would be warranted, but divorce would need to be carefully considered once it was obvious that the husband is not willing to change his ways.

[Guest Biblicist]

I hear a lot about unrepentant adultry being the only Biblical reason for divorce. What about a woman who's life is in danger from an abusive husband, or a man who is endangering the lives of their children by his angry abusive behaviour?

Would God want a woman to stay with a man who is beating her [for whatever reason] or their children?

It is not the only Biblical reason. Abandonment is also mentioned. I would argue that a husband abusing his wife is abandonment. She is not physically able to live with the husband because her safety is in danger. He has abandoned her. I think one must give the husband a chance to correct his behavior, and if he refuses to divorce would be the answer. This one is a bit fuzzier than the adultery question though in my opinion. In other words immediate separation would be warranted, but divorce would need to be carefully considered once it was obvious that the husband is not willing to change his ways.

Then your take on this is abandonment, not only physical but spiritual and emotional, as well, is grounds for divorce.

God allows for divorce because of "hardness of hearts", that would be physical, emotional, & spiritual abandonment.

[Vickilynn]

I hear a lot about unrepentant adultry being the only Biblical reason for divorce. What about a woman who's life is in danger from an abusive husband, or a man who is endangering the lives of their children by his angry abusive behaviour?

Would God want a woman to stay with a man who is beating her [for whatever reason] or their children?

Shalom,

Thank you, but that's not really the question.

The question I'm asking is that is this wife's claim that the drugs are the adulteress, BIBLICALLY sound? I don't see it in the Scriptures and I have never heard this claim before.

But, OC brought it up in another way. Is "Spiritual adultery", the same Biblical grounds for divorce as physical adultery?

Well I answered that question.

We forgive much because we have been forgiven much. Love covers over a multitude of sins.

I'm just tired of hearing everyone argue about adultery being the ONLY Biblical reason for divorce, when clearly there are none. If a abuse is not a Biblical reason for divorce, adultry should not be either.

Shalom Bib,

uhh, thanks. But that's not the question. I'm sorry that you are "tired" of hearing people argue about adultery, but that's NOT what this thread is about, so please don't take it elsewhere. Please read the OP. Thanks anyway.

This is the question:

Is "Spiritual adultery", the same Biblical grounds for divorce as physical adultery?