#7 – Why Christians Divorce

In Love for Life

Building or Rebuilding a Great Marriage

Mike Mazzalongo

Avoiding Divorce…

1. Understand what divorce is.

Gen. 2:24-25

24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Matt. 19:9

9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Divorce = Put Away / Loose / Untie

Divorce begins in the heart…

…ends in court.

Divorce Problem:

Glued to - Another Person- Work, Hobbies- Self (Independence)

Divorce Problem:

Unglued by - Sin- Family- Ambition

Avoiding Divorce…

1. Understand what divorce is.

2. Know what God thinks.

Mal. 2:16

16 For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the LORD of hosts. “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”

Matt. 19:6

6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Heb. 13:4

4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Matt. 19:9

9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

I Cor. 7:15

15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.

Avoiding Divorce…

1. Understand what divorce is.

2. Know what God thinks.

3. Know how to keep the bond strong.

Strengthening the bond requires:

A.Complete Honesty

Strengthening the bond requires:

A. Complete Honesty

B.Complete Fidelity

Strengthening the bond requires:

A. Complete Honesty

B. Complete Fidelity

C.Complete Submission

Prov. 31:30

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Prov. 12:4

4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.

Josh. 24:15

15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Eph. 5:25

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

Strengthening the bond requires:

A. Complete Honesty

B. Complete Fidelity

C. Complete Submission

D.Develop Spiritual Intimacy

Intimacy Roadblocks:

• Hectic schedules

Intimacy Roadblocks:

• Hectic schedules

• Poor communication

Intimacy Roadblocks:

• Hectic schedules

• Poor communication

• Unresolved issues

Intimacy Roadblocks:

• Hectic schedules

• Poor communication

• Unresolved issues

• Spiritual inferiority

Intimacy Roadblocks:

• Hectic schedules

• Poor communication

• Unresolved issues

• Spiritual inferiority

• Lack of spiritual experience

Intimacy Builders:

• Unconditional commitment

Intimacy Builders:

• Unconditional commitment

• Caring atmosphere

Intimacy Builders:

• Unconditional commitment

• Caring atmosphere

• Honest communication

Intimacy Builders:

• Unconditional commitment

• Caring atmosphere

• Honest communication

• Modelling

Intimacy Builders:

• Unconditional commitment

• Caring atmosphere

• Honest communication

• Modelling

• Understanding

Intimacy Builders:

• Active Listening

Intimacy Builders:• Active Listening

• Time Together

Intimacy Builders:• Active Listening

• Time Together

• Check-in Time

Intimacy Builders:• Active Listening

• Time Together

• Check-in Time

• Bonding Times

We tie the knot at the wedding

We tighten the knot by developing spiritual intimacy.

Divorce – Proofing Your Marriage

• Watch for danger signs.

Divorce – Proofing Your Marriage

• Watch for danger signs.

•Understand that it is wrong.

Divorce – Proofing Your Marriage

• Watch for danger signs.

• Understand that it is wrong.

•Work at keeping the bond strong.

While we are married, it’s never too late to avoid Divorce!