He Could've Said Adultery

# 570 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:9 "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

I want to talk again today about the mythical exception clause of adultery for divorce. The church has followed a policy for years that divorce can be granted when adultery is involved. But is that the case?

Adultery is horrific, and it is never to be condoned, but it is not grounds for divorce. Read the so-called exception clause verses in Matthew carefully, in Mt 5:32 and Mt 19:9, Jesus says, “except on the ground of sexual immorality ( the King James says “fornication,”). He does not use the term adultery.

The Holy Spirit uses His words very carefully, and if adultery were grounds for divorce He would've said adultery. (It's not like the word wasn't available, He uses it later on in the same verse!)

Well, what's the difference? The difference is fornication is defined as illicit sexual relations before marriage, and adultery is defined as illicit sexual activity after marriage. The exception therefore is linked to the Jewish custom of betrothal, and that's why it is only found in the Gospel of Matthew. (See yesterday's blog)

Divorce is an extremely emotional topic, but we in the church need to stop interpreting Scriptures according to our emotions. With emotions in neutral we are ready to receive this text. “Let not man separate.” Don't allow for divorce.

Father, you meant for divorce to be an emotional subject because marriage matters to You. Help us to regard marriage as You do.