JESUS TALKS THE TRUTH ON MARRIAGE

April 6, 2006

Read about a bizarre religious view on divorce.

THINK ABOUT IT

"My wife doesn't want this also. She says that if she is forced to marry anybody else then she will commit suicide" - Aftab Ansari

MAN DIVORCES WIFE IN HIS SLEEP

A Muslim couple in India have been told they must divorce after the husband uttered the word "talaq" three times in his sleep.

According to newspaper reports, Aftab Ansari's wife Sohela heard him say the word "talaq", or divorce, three times.

When local Islamic leaders heard the news they said Mr Ansari's words constituted a divorce under an Islamic marriage law known as "triple talaq".

The couple, who have been married for 11 years and have three children, have been told they must split.

The clerics ruled that if the couple wanted to remarry they would have to wait at least 100 days. Mrs Ansari would also have to spend a night with another man and be divorced by him in turn.

The couple, who live in the eastern state of West Bengal, have refused to obey the order and the issue has been referred to a local family counselling centre.

photo & story courtesy news.google.com, 03/26/06

TAKE A LOOK

Matthew 19:3-12 - (NLT)

³Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for any reason?" ⁴"Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied. "They record that from the beginning `God made them male and female.' ⁵And he said, `This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' ⁶Since they are no longer two but one, let no one separate them, for God has joined them together." ⁷"Then why did Moses say a man could merely write an official letter of divorce and send her away?" they asked. ⁸Jesus replied, "Moses permitted divorce as a concession to your hard-hearted wickedness, but it was not what God had originally intended. ⁹And I tell you this, a man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery--unless his wife has been unfaithful." ¹⁰Jesus' disciples then said to him, "Then it is better not to marry!" ¹¹"Not everyone can accept this statement," Jesus said. "Only those whom God helps. ¹²Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made that way by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone who can, accept this statement."

WHAT IS JESUS' TEACHING ON MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE?

The answer to this question is pretty obvious isn't it! In our culture, divorce is not only legal and accepted, but expected by most people. But Jesus makes it very clear that marriage is to be a lifetime commitment.

Jesus explained that God permitted divorce in Moses' day because of the people's hard hearts. God led Moses to set up some laws to help the victims of divorce, especially women who needed protection in the culture of that day.

Jesus also explained that divorce is permitted when one spouse is unfaithful to the other. Jesus said that unfaithfulness makes divorce permissible. The word "unfaithful" means a sexually immoral lifestyle, not a sinful act that is forgiven through repentance and confession. A man and a woman should always strive to forgive and see their marriage restored. God expects married people to look for ways to stay together rather than excuses to divorce.

If you're a teenager, the choices you make now about dating and commitment in a relationship will affect you the rest of your life. If you're already married, God is commited to helping you experience marriage for a lifetime.

Religions around the world have some bizarre teachings even for when someone is sleeping. Stay alert to Christ's teachings! Jesus is the Word and He always gives us the Truth.

TALK ABOUT IT

Thank God for His plan for marriage. Thank Him for His Word which gives clear instructions for a successful marriage. Thank Him for His Holy Spirit which alone can provide the power and unconditional love that couples need to experience a wonderful lifetime commitment. If you are a teenager, ask God to help you keep His Holy command on marriage in mind as you consider and experience relationships with the opposite sex. Ask God to help you trust Him with whatever His plan is for you (maybe single?) and a potential marriage partner in your future.

TRY IT

Pray regularly for God to help you trust Him completely with His plan for you regarding marriage.
View any dating relationship as if you could physically see Jesus with you at all times.
If you are in a dating relationship that is not pleasing to God, ask God to help you get out of it and focus on a growing relationship with Christ.
If you are married and struggling, go to a Christian friend and get help now.
Pray every day for the marriages of family and friends.

ABOUT IT

DAILY DEVOS is brought to you by Youth for Christ. Youth for Christ works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Byron Emmert Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.