Lonely is Not an Excuse For Divorce

When my husband and I are apart because of business, we often stay in touch through technology. Today, people have the option of using chat, voice, and even virtual worlds to stay close.

Can you imagine what it was like in the past when that did not exist? The spouse would leave town, and except for an occasional short phone call, you may not hear from them again until they returned. Depending on the occupation that could be a long time.

Many marriages break up today because one spouse gets lonely. With all the technology we have at our fingertips, it’s hard to believe that is a problem. But if you ask, often that will be the answer. One spouse felt neglected.

Perhaps as much as technology is a solution, it is also a part of the problem. Many folks crawl into their phones and computers and forget to come out to the real world.

What does scripture say specifically about marriage and divorce?

And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
Mark 10:2-12

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Matthew 5:27-28

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 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.
Matthew 5:31-32

From these verses, we see that God meant for a man and a woman to get married and stay married. Divorce was not something to do just because you feel lonely.

You might try shutting down the technology and snuggling up instead!

LIFE APPLICATION

Key Focal Verse:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.
1 John 4:18-19

Today’s challenge is to pray for your marriage. Pray for your spouse. Pray for better communication. Set down the technology if you find it getting in the way. If you are not married, pray for your future spouse. Pray for the marriages of your friends.