C H O F Ministry

Tag: Divorce

“Probing For Spiritual Answers – Divorce”

Praise The Lord Beloved!!! ✝️❤️😊

This Mornings Question is:

Bishop Houston, I been taught that Christians can’t divorce. Can you tell me if a Christian can get a divorce?

😊

Answer: This is a great question. 😊 Thank you for asking.

There are lots of scripture that speaks on marriage and divorce in the Old and New Testament of the Bible. First, I want it to be clear that it’s important to know that God despises divorce-He hates separation. (*1). And even though we can’t say it’s constantly right or wrong for a Christian to want to get a divorce, or for a divorced Christian to marry again, what we can say is divorce is clearly an extremely unwelcome event.

I’m a product of divorced parents and I’ve been divorced, and I can tell you from experience that there’s pain that comes with fractured relationships and there’s a lot of tension divorce puts on family members—and it becomes more complicated when children have been born during the relationship. Everyone is affected by a divorce. The action of marriage realistically unites two people as one flesh. Divorce separates and ends the chapter and the book of this new life that was established.

The Law of Moses tackled the issue of divorce head-on with detailed guidelines. But when Jesus came, He established a new directive that has an even higher requirement. We’re no longer under the law of Moses, we’re now governed by the law of love. Jesus says in John 13:34 (AMP) “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another.”

Beloved this rule is for “EVERY” situation: Romans 13:8, and verse 10 (NLT)says: 8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law – and verses 10 says: Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. Galatians 5:14 (AMP) says: For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” Galatians 6:2 (AMP) says: Carry one another burdens and in this way, you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. James 2:8 (NCV) says 8 This royal law is found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” If you obey this law, you are doing right.

So, when both partners enter the union of marriage makes every effort to walk in the love of God, their marriage will never fail. Now, if a believer is in a marriage in which this isn’t the case, he or she should seek the Lord for advice and permit the Holy Spirit to direct him or her in the direction of the truth (*3). Now I want to make it understood right that divorce is still not the best choice. The Lord may direct the person in several ways. Only he or she and God know if divorce is a choice.

Beloved, divorce is certainly not God’s good quality. But it’s also not the conclusion of a successful Christian life. As believers, we can anticipate to be led by the Spirit of God and know that He neither brings condemnation against us (Romans 8:1 (NLT) – So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.) nor eliminates anyone from a unique place in His plan (Romans 11:29 (NLT) – For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.) It’s only through Him, the divorced man or woman can walk in victory and achieve everything God has called them to accomplish!!!

Beloved, there’s no explicit biblical law for the Christian concerning divorce, other than they follow the law of love. The same law of love is valid when it comes to remarriage. The decision to remarry should be centered on the love of God and not on egotistical or materialistic desires. If a believer does get a divorce and he or she feels they’re genuinely prepared to move into a new union of marriage with another believer, he or she should do so with confidence that the Lord will bless that union. Bear In Mind, in Christ all things become new – 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! Amen? Aaamen. ✝️❤️😊

Probing For Spiritual Answers Cross-Reference Verses:

*1. Malachi 2:14-16

*2. John 13:34

*3. Proverbs 3:5-6, John 14:26

February 12, 2020
“Tested Faith”

Praise the Lord Beloved – let us thank God for allowing us to start another Friday under His covenant.

You know Beloved, sooner or later your faith will be tested, no matter how durable or how frail it is. It may be tested by an unconvinced employer, or maybe more likely it’ll be tested by the trials of life. Beloved, eventually something happens, and your heart will cry out, “Not again Lord, I just cannot handle this.” It may be a parent, child, relative or friend’s illness or death, or a marriage/relationship that turns bitter, or a business deal which has not gone well.

It’s happened to me on several occasions from divorce, lost court case to the loss of a child, relative and friends. I’ve found myself asking God “WHY?” and God You said You would not put no more on me than I can handle, but this one is tough “Lord, I just can’t handle this.”. Many will run away or get upset with God. Beloved, when there’s something which you can’t handle turning and running away or shaking your fist in the face of God is not the solution. When the foundation of your faith is shaken, I encourage you to go first to the Word of God and take refuge in the Bible. There are dozens of promises with your name attached to them. In the Word you’ll begin to see life from His viewpoint. You’ll begin to think God’s thoughts. You’ll understand 2 Corinthians 4:18 – “what’s seen is temporary, but what’s unseen is eternal”. Beloved, when your faith is tested take a look at the situations, and then look at the situations of individuals in the Bible. Match up their problem with yours and notice how God met them.

Today my life, mind and emotions lean heavily on the Written Word of God. So, as you start your Friday and go into the weekend remind yourself of the truth of God’s Word and that He is honor bound to keep His Word. Years ago Apostle Paul wrote (2 Timothy 1:12 AMP) “for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence… that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him].”

Beloved, “a faith not tested means a spiritual life that’s congested.” (Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr.)

Have a blessed Friday and a rewarding weekend Everyone.

June 7, 2019
“To Divorce or Not To Divorce?”

Dear Bishop Houston, I am Ubura a Christian. Me and my wife have been married for 15 years and I think I want to divorce her. What shall I do?

Praise the Lord Ubura thank you for your question.

Well, Ubura contemplating divorce for many is very difficult and there’s a lot that may impinge your divorce (children, property, money and emotions, ect….). I’m not an attorney so I will leave those legal matters to the men and women that are properly authorized to litigate.

Now, as a Christian spiritual leader, the first thing I advise you to do is take it to God first. It’s mandatory that you know the will of God. And once that’s done, you’ll have the assurance of 1st John 5:14-15 “God always hears and answers prayers which are prayed in line with His will”. It’s major for us as Christian to discern God’s will in His Word.
Now, we as Christians, divorce among believers is definitely unwanted. God’s best is for two Christians once they become husband and wife is to remain married throughout their lifetime. Matthew 19:4-6 says: “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And 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.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together”.

Then there’s 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 which outlines how the God kind of love is supposed to perform. Now, Romans 10:17 says, faith comes from the Word. So you must meditate on those verses until your mind is completely renewed Romans 12:2 (Amp) says: And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

So Ubura, you must act on the Word in faith for your marriage.
in other words your decision and response should be made according to God’s love no matter what happens.

So, instead of reacting emotionally to your spouse, allow 1st Corinthians 13 to be your guideline. As a Christian you must respond with the God kind of love. You must be patient, kind, forgiving, always protective, trusting, persevering and hopeful. Don’t be envious, boastful, proud or rude. Don’t keep track of wrongs or be self-seeking or easily angered. Since God promises you that love never fails, if you walk steadfastly in His kind of love, your marriage cannot fail!!!

Even though the Apostle Paul did not discuss divorce between two unsaved people, he did say that adultery, divorce or anything else the flesh produces in the life of a sinner is a result of the sinner following his true nature. According to
2nd Corinthians 5:19, God will not hold his sins against him. This would include divorce.
In 1st Corinthians 7:12-13, 15, Paul dealt with situations involving one saved and one unsaved partner. In this case, Paul says that if the unbeliever is willing to live with the believer, the believer should not seek a divorce. However, if the unbeliever leaves, the believer is not bound to the marriage. He ended with the statement, “God has called us to live in peace.”
Beloved, God’s Word is His will for you. I encourage you to read over the scriptures I’ve just mentioned and meditate on 1st Corinthians 7. Pray and trust God to bring the clarity of His will in regard to your stand. 😀

Thank you for your question.

April 11, 2018
First Lady Donece Houston’s “Christian Concept”

When is it OK to get a Divorce?

In today’s society it is impossible to watch tv, read your newspaper or a magazine without encountering a major breakup. You are guaranteed of seeing an announcement about another couple getting ready to call it quits and get a divorce.

Divorce has become an everyday occurrence.

The laws of the land state that you can be granted either a fault or no-fault divorce for the following reasons:

Grounds for a No- Fault Divorce
Irreconcilable differences
Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage
Incompatibility
Separation for longer than a year

Grounds for a No- Fault Divorce
Adultery
Cruelty
Abandonment or Desertion
Mental Illness
Criminal Conviction

So let’s take a look and see how Divorce is governed in the Bible
(B)- basic
(I)- instructions
(B)- before
(L)- leaving
(E)- earth

In Matthew 9:3- we see where the Pharisees came to Jesus to question him about what reasons allowed a man to be able to divorce his wife. They wanted to know if was ok for a man to up and put his wife away for any reason that the man felt was fit to use.

Jesus responded to them by asking had they not read where God created Man and Female to be intertwined as one flesh after they left their mother and father. This was so that they would become as one flesh that was inseparable; not allowing anyone or anything to come between them.

Matthew 9:6 (Amplified)
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together let no one separate.

After Jesus defined the foundation of what marriage was intended to be the Pharisees once again questioned Him on why did Moses decree for a man to give the wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.

Jesus responded to them by saying that divorce was permitted by Moses because of the hardened and stubborn hearts of men; however in the beginning marriage was not designed to be ended with a divorce.

Jesus went on to say that the only reason for divorce was if sexual immorality had occurred.

So in essence divorce should be the last resort and it should only be allowed as a result of sexual immorality in that relationship.

So as Christians what can we do to try to avert divorces from happening?

We can ensure that before we marry that we are equally yoked and both parties have went through marriage counseling together
We can start believing in our vows that we take before each other and God.

We can enter into the marriage knowing that in order for it to work it will take hard work, dedication, loyalty, honesty, and lots of love

Remember that when you get married you will be taking an oath that is supposed to last forever. You will be making a commitment that you will be there for each other not only during the good times but also the bad times.

That is why it so important to pray and wait for God to bring your soulmate to you. Don’t be in a hurry. God will provide the one for you that He has set aside just for you.

God Bless you all,
Have a great week! 🙂

August 8, 2016