What One Must Consider Before Divorce

Introduction

Generation today has grown up w/the thought that nothing lasts too long. Has this attitude carried over w/popular opinion when it comes to marriage & divorce? Divorce is rampant in society.  More people today are part of a 2nd marriage than a first.  Most likely, divorce has happened to someone you know – possibly someone close to you – no one has been left unaffected by this plague on society. It is likely that there is someone here that is...or has...contemplated divorce. Everyone must consider the consequences of this drastic & destructive measure.  Today we’ll consider what divorce does to the home.

I.  Consider the commitment you made.

A.    Ecc. 5:4-5 – It is important that our word means something.

B.    When you married...you made promised to “have/hold” your spouse.  These = words of commitment/ownership.

1.     To hold is to “grasp & not let go.”  To “cling to.” 

C.    Divorce?  You BREAK THESE PROMISES. 

1.    You promised to live w/your spouse for better/worse.

a)    You promised to be there during good/bad times.

b)    You promised that you would live w/your spouse for richer/poorer.

c)    You made a promise to stay w/your spouse until death.

2.     Rom. 7:2; Mt. 19:6.

II. Consider your children.

A.    Divorce shatters stability/security for children.

B.    Home to provide stability/security for children – regardless of age.

C.   Divorce forces children to take sides.

D.   Divorce creates distrust in some children toward their parents.

E.    Divorce causes children to be suspicious of entering into their own marriage.

F.    Divorce causes bitterness/animosity against one or both parents.

G.   Creates a generational divorce pattern.

H.   Divorce creates restlessness in your child.

III. Consider the effects on yourself.

A.     Severe economic impact.

B.    Divorce affects one’s conscience.

1.    Unscriptural divorce pricks the conscience.  See Psa. 6:6-7.

C.   Divorce damages your influence.

D.   Divorce increases tendency for pattern of failure.

E.    Mt. 19:9; 5:32 – increases your chances adultery.

F.    Creates loneliness – leads to sin.

IV. Consider the condition of your soul.

A.    Mt. 19:6; Mal. 2:16 – God has spoken plainly about the subject of divorce. 

B.    Mk. 8:36-37 – nothing in this life worth the price of your soul.

C.   Many bail out of their marriage – refusing to work out their problems in a godly fashion – and sin in doing so!

Conclusion

A.    If you find yourself considering divorce,...consider both of the lessons we have discussed today.  Your eternity may hang in the balance.