Is being married to an unequally yoked partner grounds for divorce?
Assuming that the partner does not come to Christ.
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Asked August 23 2013
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Curt Schaible
Supporter
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Dan Rivers
Supporter
Only if the unbeliever wants to leave... 1 Corinthians 7:13 NLT - And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. 1 Corinthians 7:15 NLT - (But if the husband or wife who isn't a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.)
Chris Eleam
Supporter
I would have to say no, having an unbelieving mate is not grounds for divorce. The only scriptural grounds for divorce is adultery. If marriage mates have different religious views because one of them accepted Christian truth some time after they got married and the other did not Can such a marriage succeed? The experience of many says yes. A husband and wife with different religious views can still have a successful marriage in the sense that it can be enduring and bring happiness to both. Besides, the marriage is still valid in Jehovah’s eyes; they are still “one flesh.” Therefore, Christian spouses are counseled to stay with the unbelieving partner if that partner is agreeable. If there are children, they benefit from the faithfulness of the Christian parent.—1 Corinthians 7:12-14. Peter addresses kindly words of counsel to Christian women living in religiously divided households. His words can also be applied in principle by Christian husbands in the same situation. Peter writes: “You wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, in order that, if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect.”—1 Peter 3:1, 2. If a wife can tactfully explain her faith to her husband, that is fine. What, though, if he does not want to listen? That is his choice. Still, all is not lost, since Christian conduct also gives a powerful witness. Many husbands who at first were not interested in or who were even opposed to the faith of their wives became “rightly disposed for everlasting life” after seeing the fine conduct of their wives. (Acts 13:48) Even if a husband does not accept Christian truth, he may still be favorably impressed by the conduct of his wife, with good results for the marriage. Christian husbands who have applied the principles of Peter’s words have likewise won their wives over by their conduct. Unbelieving wives have seen their husbands gain a sense of responsibility, ceasing to waste money on smoking, drinking, and gambling and no longer using abusive language.
Dorcas Sitali
Supporter
No its not grounds for divorce dear, only when the unbeliever decides to leave 1 cor 7: 13-15
tee miller
Supporter
Not necessarily. But God gives is the grace to be in that situation. He simply wants us to be evenly yoked bc it'll save us a bunch of headaches and jus unnecessary crap that we shudnt hve to put up with. I kno a lady who married her husband who wasn't a believer and she fasted and prayed for him and now he's faithful in the church and to God....he used her to draw him in. Jesus always have tricks up his sleeve....cracks me up sometimes...
Danny Hickman
Supporter
Being married to a person who is hard to love has to be really difficult. I don't wish it on anybody. 'Unhappy at home' can't be easy; it probably feels a bit like being homeless. Solomon wrote that it's 'Better to live in a corner of a rooftop than in a house with a contentious woman' (Proverbs 21:9). (I believe the prudence of that adage is gender neutral; it's probably twice the content in the case of an argumentative man!) So what does Solomon suggest, that you should move to one of the corners of your house? I don't think he offers a practical solution; that's not the intention of the Book of Proverbs. He states the book's intent: "for gaining wisdom and instruction." And here's the summation: "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." We want answers... solutions; something practical. God wants us TO WANT TO BE instructed; taught; He wants us to enjoy being led by the hand; shown the way... (that's why there's no S on ''instruction.') Fools despise instruction; don't want daily private lessons for life lived in a wilderness. That is what walking in the Spirit is; it is to live in the light. The light overcomes the darkness that challenges us daily. Light is desperately needed in darkness! What am I saying? Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12) Divorce is darkness! Jesus is the answer. Everything else is a detour. He's the way! He's the truth, and the truth will make you free!
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