Marriage is a sacred covenant that God created.
It signifies a union of two people and their commitment to each other under God’s eyes.
Unfortunately, not all marriages are happy and long-lasting.
Marital issues such as infidelity, emotional abuse, communication breakdown, and financial problems may arise.
Often, spouses seek solace in prayer and ask for divine intervention to save their marriage.
However, some may wonder if God’s plan for them involves separation from their spouse.
In this post, we will tackle this question deeply and reflect on what the Bible says.
The Bible teaches that marriage is intended to be a lifelong commitment
Mark 10:9, it says, “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
However, we live in a world with a broken relationship, and sometimes separation is necessary.
When infidelity, abuse, or addiction is involved, separation may be the best option to protect the victim from further harm.
In such cases, separation can be a blessing, and it can lead to reconciliation if both parties are committed to healing and restoration.
But when separation is caused by selfishness, pride, or unforgiveness, it can be detrimental to the marriage and hinder the couple’s ability to reconcile.
God dislikes divorce
In Malachi 2:16, it says, “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “And I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.”
This verse expresses God’s view of divorce. He hates it and sees it as unfaithfulness to the covenant that a couple made with each other and Him.
However, God also hates violence and the covering of oneself with it.
It implies that an abusive marriage is not God’s design, and He will not want anyone to stay in an abusive relationship.
God desires that we honor Him and our covenant with our spouse
In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, it says, “To the married, I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband.”
This verse indicates that separation is not God’s will for a couple, but He also grants some leeway if it is necessary for protection.
However, God does not allow divorce except for the case of unrepentant adultery of one of the spouses.
Even then, divorce should only be used as a last resort after all means of reconciliation have been exhausted.
Trusting God’s plan for our marriage can be challenging, particularly when we are experiencing marital problems that seem unresolvable.
Separation from a spouse is not something that should be taken lightly and should only be considered when absolutely necessary.
Our goal as Christians should always be to honor God in our marriages, and that means doing everything we can to fight for and preserve our marriages.
Let us turn to God in prayer, seeking His guidance, strength, and wisdom to navigate the challenges of married life.