Look for ways to
restore a marriage rather than leave it
Jesus said that
divorce is not permissible except for unfaithfulness. This does not mean that
divorce should automatically occur when a spouse commits adultery. The word
translated “unfaithfulness” implies a sexually immoral life-style, not a
confessed and repented act of adultery. Those who discover that their partner
has been unfaithful should first make every effort to forgive, reconcile, and
restore their relationship. We are always to look for reasons to restore the
marriage relationship rather than for excuses to leave it.
It has been said,
“Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.” But I
tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness,
causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman
commits adultery. (Matthew 5:31-32, niv)
