The Spiritual Eunuch

 


How to Survive an Unscriptural Divorce

 

Introduction

Some people treat marriages like a bag of potato chips. It’s great when it’s brand new but, after a while, that newness diminishes. You slowly work your way through it until you’re finally left completely empty. The solution? Toss it aside and get a new one. People don’t understand that when you recite the marriage vows, they are to be taken seriously. When you state, “Until death do us part” you’re supposed to mean it. It’s a vow you make to God and marriage is supposed to be for life (Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:10-15)!

 

The Death of Marriage


Marriage is an invention of God; Divorce is an invention of Man. God only allowed his people to get a divorce to preserve the people of Israel as a whole (Mt. 19:8; Deut. 24:1). God created the concept of marriage back in the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:24). This should people how serious God is in regard to marriage and how important it is to the whole of the human race.

In Malachi 2:16, “For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.” If God hates divorce, then we should too.

God did allow one exception to marriage and that was adultery. Jesus said in Matthew 19:9, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

The question then becomes, what does a Christian do who has been unscripturally divorced? Paul answers this in 1 Cor. 7:12, 15, 12. But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.  15. But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

The Christian then becomes what is called a ‘Spiritual Eunuch’. Jesus said in Matthew 19:12, “For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.” The remainder of this article will help you understand what it means to be a ‘Spiritual Eunuch’.

 

The Facets of an Unscriptural Divorce

You are still bound to your spouse! This is the most important facet to remember. Even though you’re not married, you still bound to that individual. Paul states this in 1 Corinthians 7:39, A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

 

Continue to Run the Race (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Even though you’re unscripturally divorced, you’re not eliminated from Heaven. You can stay on the path of righteousness (Mt. 7:14), abide in God’s word (John 8:31), and continue to be faithful even unto death (Rev. 2:10).

 

Take Time to be Holy—As the apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7:32, But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord--how he may please the Lord. To avoid temptation, devote more time to study of scriptures and prayer. Do more for yourself; self-care as opposed to self-destruction.

 

Enter a Covenant with Self—Job was a good example of this, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?” (Job 31:1) Continue to remind yourself that you are still bound and have no authority to look for another mate. Remember what is written in Psalms 119:36-37, Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.

Furthermore, remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:28-30, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. "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.


Continue to Defend Marriage—As we stated at the start of this article, marriage is an invention of God and we, though divorced, should continue to defend it. As the apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:15, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. If Christians won’t defend marriage: One man, One woman (for life) with One exception; who will?

 

Conclusion

As a Christian who was unscripturally divorced, my greatest fear was being eliminated from Heaven. I was assured by the local preacher that this wasn’t so and have been encouraged by the brethren to continue in the teaching and preaching of the gospel.

Over the last few years, I’ve grown spiritually and hope to continue to do so in the years to come. Know that if you are same situation, you have the love of your local congregation and brethren all over the planet who will help you stay grounded in the truth. Remember what Paul wrote in Galatians 6:1-2, Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.      


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