Acts of the Flesh

To the Reader: I’m not writing this article to stir up hatred toward those of the LGBTQ+ community. For they just like everyone else, needs a Savior. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24 KJV) Yes, God loves all of us and doesn’t want anyone to die in their sins. For we first read: “Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 33:11 NKJV) Next he says: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 ESV) Yes, this is so true: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17 KJV) Amen.

So, then my brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s always speak the truth in love by exposing this evil among us. For there are too many so-called Christians who are not only embracing those who practice such things but are corrupting their own bodies as well.

“Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” (Leviticus 18:22 NIV)

There are some who may claim that they were born with homosexual tendencies. And of course, we have those who claim that they were born in the wrong bodies, and thus trying to change their gender. But does this make it right? Didn’t Jesus say: “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ “and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?” (Matthew 19:4-5 NKJV) So, just because a person feels they were born a certain way doesn’t give them a license to keep indulging in it. For God’s word says: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 KJV) Therefore, we were all born sinners with desires and feeling that are contrary to what is right and good.

So then, are you willing to give up what you’re bound to? I ask this because God’s word says that there are some who will not come to the light because they don’t want to change. For we read: “And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil. "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. "But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.” (John 3:19-21 NASB20)

Now, from my past experience, I myself didn’t want to come to God because I wanted to do my own thing. For I thought I knew better when it came to enjoying life’s pleasures. However, I found out that this is not true and finally came to realize that God is not some a kill joy. For God’s ways will always bring more pleasure to our lives than when we are fallowing our own sins. And this is true when it comes to sexual intimacy as well. For the pleasure that can be receive between a man and a woman are far greater than any other way. Now, you may have tried and failed in a normal relationship. But have you tried a relationship with the opposite sex while believing in Christ? I say this because with God, all things are possible. So, with his Holy Spirit residing in you, all things that seemed impossible before are now possible through Christ Jesus. So please turn and follow God’s plan and design for you. For by doing so, you will not regret it.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:18-20 KJV)

According to that passage above, we see that there are those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. This they do even though the truth is reveled to them by God. For in Deuteronomy 22:5 we read: “A woman shall not wear a man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 22:5 NASB20) So, don’t we see this happening in our culture today? And don’t they know that God views this as something disgusting? Also, we read: “Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” (Romans 1:27 NKJV)

Now, please notice that it says there is a penalty for this sinful act of homosexuality. And what could be that recompense that they received because of their error? Well, just visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to see that the majority of HIV carriers are homosexual men. So, I personally believe that HIV is a part of God’s wrath that’s revealed from heaven against this shameful act. So, for all you LGBTQ+ and more, please repent of your sin and turn your heart to God. And do this not only for your own good, but for the good of others as well. And let’s remember that even though you may escape the HIV in this life, you can’t escape the judgment of God that’s appointed after death. For we read: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 KJV) And according to God’s word, those who are living this lifestyle of sin will not: “inherit the Kingdom of God” if they refuse to repent. (see passage below)

• “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor those habitually drunk, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NASB20)

Now, as mentioned above, the LGBTQ+ lifestyle is a sin that can keep a person from entering into the kingdom of Heaven. Thus, it could separate you from God and send you into the “lake of fire.” This is true people, for we read: “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15 KJV) So let’s take heed to the warnings of God’s word which says: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV)

So, for all who are caught up in this sin, please simply confess from your heart that you have sinned against God. For God’s word says that he will forgive you and wash you clean by the blood of Jesus Christ. For Jesus took the penalty for our sins upon himself through beatings, whippings and being nailed to the cross. Last of all, he spent three days and nights in hell as well, suffering the torment that was due us. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV)

Therefore, by repenting and turning your heart to God, he will give you the strength to overcome any sin in your life. And let us remember: “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:13-14 KJV) So, come to God today seeking him with your whole heart. For Jesus said: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37 KJV) Amen, and thank God for that.

Some scripture reference on this topic: Male and Female:

• “Then God said, And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28 KJV)
• “And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:22-25 KJV)
• “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:6-9 NIV)

God’s Law:

• “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” (Leviticus 20:13 NIV)
• “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” (Romans 1:26-27 NKJV)
• “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV)
• “But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately. We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral and males who have sex with males, for slave traders, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.” (1 Timothy 1:8-11 CSB)
• “But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were held in custody under the Law, being shut up for the coming faith to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor unto Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:22-27 LSB)

God's Mercy:

• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him. He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 ASV)
• “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24 NET)
• “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NKJV)

Below are the different versions used in this article. This was done to help you in your study of God’s word. Therefore, “Study to show thyself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 WEB)

• KJV = The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• CSB = Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.
• NET = The NET Bible®, New English Translation Copyright © 1996 By Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NET Bible® is a registered trademark The NET Bible® Logo, Service Mark Copyright © 1997 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
• NIV = THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
• NKJV = Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• ASV = New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible 2020 Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• LSB = Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org
• WEB = The Webster Bible was translated by Noah Webster in 1833 in order to bring the language of the bible up to date. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.

Back to the Top

To You the Reader: I have written this article my brothers and sisters in Christ, in response to the lax views is see concerning divorce and remarriage. And I must say I would rather be writing about our common faith and salvation we have in Christ Jesus. However, I felt compelled to expose this sin which has crept into our churches today. Because if we become like those of this world, what good are we? For Jesus said: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out to be trampled under foot by men.” (Matthew 5:13 LSB)

Therefore, it is my hope that we as Christians can view this as a sinful act. And let’s not forget that Jesus also said to love our neighbor as ourselves. So then, we should want to see a couple’s marriage flourish. Therefore men, if you marry a divorce woman, you could permanently destroy her chance to be reunited to her husband. And this is also true for all you divorced women. Shouldn’t you remain single and be pleading with God to restore your marriage? For by running off and marrying another man, you could destroy any chance of reconciliation as well. Therefore, true love should always be seeking to reunite one’s marriage, not to further divide it. This would be true whether you’re the one involved in the divorce, or you’re the one that want’s to marry someone that’s been divorced. For we must take heed to what Jesus said: “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:6 ESV)

May love, mercy and grace be to all who love our Lord. Amen

“The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?” (Matthew 19:3 KJV)

In that passage above, the Pharisees confronted Jesus on his view of divorce. So: “He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6 ESV) But not being content with that answer: “They said to Him, Why did Moses then command to give a bill of divorce and to put her away? He said to them, Because of your hard-heartedness Moses allowed you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, Whoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is put away commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:7-9 MKJV)

So, according to Jesus, the standard for marriage should be “until death do us part.” However, because of their hard hearts, Moses allowed them to put away their wives. Therefore, God gave them over to their own corruption. We see this also to be true where Paul the apostle said: “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” (Romans 1:28 ESV) However, God sent his Son Jesus Christ to set things back to their proper standard by saying: “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:6 ESV)

So, to sum up what was already read; if a man puts away an innocent wife and marries another, he commits adultery. Also, if a divorced woman marries another man, she as well as the man she marries commits adultery. And as long as they’re in this adulterous relationship, wouldn’t they be committing this sin of adultery? Something to seriously pray and think about my brothers and sisters in Christ.  

Below are a few more verses on this topic:

• But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, except for cause of fornication, makes her commit adultery, and whosoever marries one that is put away commits adultery. (Matthew 5:32 DBY)
• And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:11-12 ESV)
• Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. (Luke 16:18 ESV)

“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.” (1 Corinthians 5:1 KJV)

Here above, we read of a man who is having sex with his father’s wife. Now, I personally believe that this is not his biological mother but his father’s second wife or concubine as we see happening in Genesis 35:22. Now, we do not have the details of whether she was divorced or still is married. However, we do see the Greek word for “fornication” being used to describe this sinful act. So, if she is still married, shouldn’t her husband have the right to divorce his unfaithful wife? For Jesus did say “except for fornication” in Matthew 19:9.

Now, the reason I’m bringing this up is because there are some who claim that the word “fornication” can only refer to a wrongful sexual act that happened before the marriage. In other words, the husband discovers on his wedding night that his wife wasn’t a virgin. So, those who claim this are trying to make marriage so binding that a man can’t divorce his wife for any wrongful sexual act that happens during their entire marriage relationship. However, I firmly believe that a husband should be able to put away his unfaithful wife anytime during their entire marriage. For even Strong’s Definitions concerning fornication says it can include harlotry, adultery, as well as incest.

“And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” (John 8:3-5 KJV)

Okay, there may be some who would argue saying that any sexual misconduct was dealt with by stoning, not divorce. And even though that was generally true, we see that there were exceptions both in the Old Testament as well as the New. For didn’t God spare David and Bathsheba the death penalty for their unlawful sexual misconduct? (2 Samuel 11) And let’s remember that Jesus did show mercy to the woman who was caught “in the very act” of adultery in John 8:3-11. And of course, we have Joseph showing mercy to Mary when he found out she was pregnant. For even though he may have assumed she conceived through fornication, he still didn’t want to expose her publicly. So, even though these cases were normally dealt with by stoning, we see mercy and forgiveness being shown instead. For throughout the bible we can see God’s grace being displayed.

Now, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, the disciples gave their instruction to the gentile church by saying: “Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” (Acts 15:19-20 KJV) Now, please notice that it doesn’t mention the word adultery, but only fornication. So again, wouldn’t the word fornication include the act of adultery that happens during ones marriage as well?

Below are more passages that only use the word “fornication” to describe sexual sins. So, you be the judge on whether this word fornication can include adultery as well:

• Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18 KJV)
• But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:3-4 KJV)
• Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. (Colossians 3:5-7 KJV)
• For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 KJV)
• And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21 KJV)

“For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.” (Romans 7:2 NKJV)

Now, according to the bible, we can see that only men are able to divorce their wives. For in the Old Testament, Moses, because of their hard hearts said: “When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.” (Deuteronomy 24:1 KJV) And in the New Testament, Jesus only mentions men putting away their unfaithful wives for the cause of “fornication.” But concerning a wife he said: “And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” (Mark 10:12 KJV) This is the only passage that mentions a woman divorcing her husband. However, there is no passage in the bible that gives her the right to do this.

Now, there may be times that a wife may need to get away from an abusive husband. This would be true for both her safety and any children she may have. For we read: “And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:10-11 KJV) However, even in this case here, she still isn’t allowed to divorce and remarry someone else. For she should be praying for her husband and hoping that things would get better so that they can be reunited together again.

So, from everything mentioned so far, we can see that only men have the right to put away their wives. And wouldn’t this would be true even if there was another woman involved in his relationship? For after the fall, there were godly men who had more than one wife. This included Abraham, Jacob, and King David to name a few. However, their wives never had the legal right to divorce them for this. And let’s also remember what God said to David: “I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more.” (2 Samuel 12:8 NIV) So, after King Saul’s death, God gave to David all of Saul’s wives. Now, I myself don’t know if King David was intimate with any of them. But we do know is that this wasn’t something that was viewed as evil. For concerning God we read: “You are too just to tolerate evil; you are unable to condone wrongdoing.” (Habakkuk 1:13 NET)

Now, that all being said, I’m in no way encouraging any man to build himself a harem. For I’m just showing that according to both the Old and New Testament, there is no exception clause that gives a wife the right to divorce. So, please read on to see what I believe an ideal marriage should look like.

“It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. (1 Timothy 3:1-3 NASB20)

Now, please notice that is says a “husband of one wife” in that passage above. Now, this could be referring to one who divorced his wife or one who has more than one wife. But in ether case, we know is that such man can’t be a leader or deacon in the church. And why is that? Well, we must remember that God only brought one wife to Adam. For even Jesus himself said “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?” (Matthew 19:5 NKJV) Therefore, leaders and deacons in the church should set an example of what an ideal marriage should look like for all. And again, wouldn’t that be “one wife for life?”

And most importantly, let’s not forget what happened to King Solomon who had many wives. “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.” (1 Kings 11:1-3 KJV)

So, we read that God warned that “they would certainly turn away your heart after their gods.” And unfortunately, that happened. “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.” (1 Kings 11:4-8 KJV) So, what did God do? Well, sense there is much to read on this, you must open your bible and read it for yourself in 1 Kings.

Below are some other issues that occurred because of men having multiple wife’s:

• “Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.” (Genesis 16:1-5 KJV)
• “In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son's mandrakes.” But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” (Genesis 30:14-15 ESV)
• “Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophnind Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. ... And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.” (1 Samuel 1:1-3, 6-7 KJV)

“But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.” (1 Corinthians 7:15 ESV)

Now, we have read earlier that scripture only mentions men being able to put away their wives. Therefore, would this passage above be giving a divorced woman the right to remarry? For notice that Paul uses the Greek word which means to be “enslaved,” instead of the word “bound,” which means to tie the knot. Therefore, isn’t marriage a mutual commitment that binds two people together? But on the other hand, bondage (enslavement) is something that makes your life miserable. And this could be the case if you are married to an unbeliever? And remember that in verses 12 through 17, Paul is only giving his advice for their current situation. For he admits that he DID NOT receive this from God. For he says: “But to the rest I say, not the Lord” in 1 Corinthians 7:12.

Therefore, would Paul go out on a limb and give a so called “deserted” woman the right to divorce, let alone to remarry. For that would be a contradiction not only to what Jesus said in the gospels, but what Paul himself said as well. For in his letter to those of Rome he said: “For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.” (Romans 7:2-3 NASB95) And in his first letter to the church of Corinthians he said that: “A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:39 ESV)

So, let’s not believe that an act of desertion by an unbeliever allows one to remarry. And wouldn’t it be an act of desertion as well in Jesus’ statement in Matthew chapter 5 as well as 19? For Jesus didn’t make any distinction concerning the persons religious stance, nor does he give any details of the couple’s separation. Therefore, wouldn’t this passage in verse 7:15 only allow the unbeliever to leave in order for a Christian spouse to live at peace? However, a Christian man or woman should be praying for their unbelieving spouse to come to know Christ. This of course would not only be for their salvation, but in order for their marriage to be restored as well.

“Because of the present distress, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. However, if you do get married, you have not sinned, and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But such people will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.” (1 Corinthians 7:26-28 CSB)

Now, this passage above is another that’s being used to find some exception clause. But how can that be? For we must first take notice that verses 26, 27 and the first part of 28 are speaking of a man who is ether “bound” or “released” from a wife. And couldn’t this only happen if his wife committed fornication or has died? Therefore, if he does remarry because of this, he has not committed any sin. However, in the middle of these same verses, Paul makes it clear that a virgin woman (not one who is divorced) who marries has not sinned. Therefore, I do not believe that Paul is giving a divorced (or abandoned) wife the right to marry. Now as said before, there may be times that a woman would flee from her husband for safety reasons. However: “But if she shall depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:11 Webster) So, Paul is saying here, “let her remain unmarried” which should clearly show that he is not allowing a her to remarry.

Therefore, if a man marries a divorced woman whose first husband is still alive, wouldn’t they both be living in adultery? Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s stop looking for some “exception clause” and instead honor God by standing upon his word. Amen.

“They say, ‘If a man divorces his wife, And she goes from him And becomes another man's, May he return to her again?’ Would not that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me,” says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 3:1 NKJV)

In that passage above, we see an illustration of Israel who has backslid from God and turned to foreign gods. Yet, in this illustration of a marriage, God is pleading for her to put away her sin of harlotry and return to him. This is true even though he gave her a certificate of divorcement. For God still said: “I’m married to you” in verses 13-14 of this same chapter. So, isn’t this illustration showing us that a divorced woman still belongs to the man she first married? Also, wouldn’t God only use an illustration that reflects a true marriage situation? Therefore, if a previously married woman remains is in the arms of another, wouldn’t they both be committing adultery? For scripture does say the only exception would be if her former husband has died.

So, the question; does God allow a divorced woman who marries another man return to her first husband? Well, even though this second marriage was not one which “God has joined together,” we do read: “And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.” (Deuteronomy 24:3-4 KJV) So, Moses said: “for that is abomination before the LORD.”

Now that being said, this passage mentioned above was the latter portion of Deuteronomy 24:1-4. And according to Mathew 19:8-9, Jesus eliminated the first half of it. For he said it was Moses (not God) who gave that commandment. So, wouldn’t this eliminate the latter portion as well? This I personally do not have an answer for. So, it’s up to you the reader to decide this one for yourself. So, my advice for all you women who are put away, stay single and pray that God would restore your marriage. This would be true whether you are the guilty party or not. For according to what we already read, if you do remarry another man, you are both are committing adultery. So, please follow what Jesus said instead of what others are telling you.

Below are a few scriptures to consider:

• “Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. ... “Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. “And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:8, 14-15 NKJV)
• And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now. ... Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. (Hosea 2:7, 14-15 KJV)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ... “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:27-28, 31-32 ESV)

In those passages above, we have two forms of adultery being committed. One, is to lust after another man’s wife, and the other is to marry another man’s wife. But, did you notice that there is a missing verse that goes between these two passages above. And that verse would be: “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” (Matthew 5:29-30 NKJV) So, is Jesus in a metaphoric way pointing out the need to end an adulterous marriage relationship? I personally believe so. For I do not believe that this is a marriage which God has joined together.

Now, let’s remember what the children of Israel did when they were exposed of their wrongful marriages. For we read: “And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land: yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing. Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.” (Ezra 10:2-3 ASV)

So, we read that the children of Israel separated themselves from their wrongful marriage relationships. This they did for even those who bore children to them. And wouldn’t this be a true act of repentance my fellow Christians? For does just saying “I’m sorry” give us the right to continue in our sins? This is something that you need to seriously consider and pray about my fellow Christians.

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:17-18 ESV)

Now, there may be some of you who declare that two wrongs don’t make a right. And I agree that this is true. For wouldn’t the first wrong be for a man to marry a divorced woman who still has a living husband? And wouldn’t the second wrong be to remain in such a relationship? So, we should be asking ourselves, is this a marriage which God has not joined together. For as quoted earlier, God does not tolerate or condone evil. (Habakkuk 1:13) And let’s remember what John the Baptist said when he confronted Herod who married Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. “For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her” (Matthew 14:4 KJV) This John said to Herod and ended up losing his head. Again, John said this because Herod was not in a relationship which God has joined together.

So the big question. Should such couples be separating themselves from each other? Yes, I know that this is a hard thing to even consider. For even Jesus’ disciples said: “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” (Matthew 19:10) However, Jesus did say: “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:29-30 ESV)

Therefore, does simply saying “I’m sorry” to God give you a license to remain in your sinful state? And let me ask you this; if you stole someone’s wallet, can you keep it if you felt sorry and repented before God? No, of course not. So, true repentance should cause you to return the wallet you stole? We can see this to be true when Jesus confronted Zacchaeus. For after spending time with Jesus, Zacchaeus must have felt convicted. For he said: “‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham’.” (Luke 19:8-9 ESV) Yes, Jesus said: “Today salvation has come to this house.” So, this is something to seriously consider and be praying about fellow Christians.

“Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:6-7 NKJV)

Now, if we as a church don’t speak out against divorce and remarriage, wouldn’t it start flourishing in our churches? Because the reasoning would be, “if they can get away with it, we can do the same.” Therefore, let’s take heed to what Paul the apostle said instead: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV)

So, it says that adulterers will not enter the kingdom of God. Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, shouldn’t we be doing our best to but away this sin from among us? And let’s remember what Jesus said to the adulterous women whom he saved from stoning, for his said: “go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11) Jesus said the same thing to the lame man whom he made whole. For Jesus said to him: “Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” (John 5:14 KJV) So, we need to put away our sins far from us.

Consider some other passages below:

• Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:7-10 ESV)
• We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. (1 John 5:18 ESV)
• “Thus shall it go also with the wife that leaveth her husband, and bringeth in an heir by another. For first, she hath disobeyed the law of the most High; and secondly, she hath trespassed against her own husband; and thirdly, she hath played the whore in adultery, and brought children by another man. She shall be brought out into the congregation, and inquisition shall be made of her children. Her children shall not take root, and her branches shall bring forth no fruit. She shall leave her memory to be cursed, and her reproach shall not be blotted out. And they that remain shall know that there is nothing better than the fear of the Lord, and that there is nothing sweeter than to take heed unto the commandments of the Lord. It is great glory to follow the Lord, and to be received of him is long life.” (Sirach 23:22-28)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 KJV)

So, the good news is, there is hope for anyone caught in the mess of adultery. I say this because the Lord Jesus Christ took our sins upon himself. So, shouldn’t you be taking the next step by repenting and putting away this sin from you? This way you can have true peace knowing you’re no longer in an adulterous relationship. And as said before, true love does no harm to one’s neighbor: “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:9-10 KJV)

Therefore, my brothers and sister in Christ, please consider what was mentioned in this article. Read and study God’s word for yourselves to test what I and others have said. For in the end, it all comes down to you acting on your own convictions. And let’s remember that God always gives us the strength to put away any sin that comes our way. This would be true no matter how deep we’re caught up in them. For God says: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:18-20 KJV)

God bless you as you seek to do his will. Amen.

Below are a few video’s concerning what was mentioned in this article:

• Divorce & Remarriage – Dr. Mike Gorrie
• Divorce & Remarriage – Joseph Webb
• Putting Away an Adulterous Marriage

Below are all the different versions used in this article. These I have included to help you in your study of God’s word:

• KJV = The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• CSB = Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.
• NET = The NET Bible®, New English Translation Copyright © 1996 By Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NET Bible® is a registered trademark The NET Bible® Logo, Service Mark Copyright © 1997 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
• NKJV = New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
• ASV = New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• LSB = Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org
• DBY = In 1867, John Nelson Darby translated the New Testament from Greek into English. Further revisions were done in 1872 and 1884. Darby’s work was first published as The Holy Scriptures: A New Translation from the Original Languages by J. N. Darby. After Darby’s death in 1882, some of his students worked together to produce the complete Darby Bible based on the Masoretic Hebrew text, Darby’s German (Elberfelder), and the French (Pau) translations. In 1890, the first complete Darby Bible was published in English. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.
• Webster = The Webster Bible was translated by Noah Webster in 1833 in order to bring the language of the bible up to date. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.
• MKJV = 1962-1998 by J. P. Green, Sr. All rights reserved, used with permission.

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