Divorce is a conflict that never truly ends; it carries on into the children and even the grandchildren suffer because of it. It brings pain to both sides of the family, breaks people financially, ruins their relationship with God, and severely harms children. It puts personal integrity in jeopardy—no one walks away unscathed—it drives people into debt, causes the loss of property, and brings trauma to the family.
Divorce causes hatred that can often lead to death; divorce reeks. In a divorce, the devil rejoices because he hates marriage as God instituted it. Did you know how many young people are in prison today because their parents decided to divorce? Did you know that the recklessness of adultery leaves many families in pain? Did you know how much pain it causes when people mistreat each other physically, verbally, or psychologically until it leads to divorce?
Many fall into partying, alcohol, and drugs, and that too leads to divorce because that life becomes unbearable, yet they do not realize they are destroying themselves and their families. Divorce is not a game; divorce is not of God. It is easy to go to a lawyer, pay money, and say “I want to divorce,” sometimes even lying, or remaining stubborn, refusing to forgive, or using manipulation to obtain a divorce. Many people do not take it into account, or do not know, or harden their hearts, but later they regret it. In divorce, there are no winners.
The figure of the authentic and true mother—the biological mother—always remains a necessity in the home. The figure of the authentic and true father—the biological father—always remains a necessity in the home. People may try to cover the sun with a finger, trying all sorts of replacements, but because of divorce, society feels the pain. Many do not want to hear that marriage is the pillar of society. Everywhere you hear about the pillars of our economy, but how do we stand regarding the pillar of our society, which is marriage? Does no one notice what is happening? Does no one notice that every divorce sets us back, and every divorce is a downfall for society?
In the book of Malachi 2:16, it is written: “For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with violence,” says the Lord of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”
The Lord is against mistreatment between couples; the Lord is against manipulation; the Lord is against adultery. In Matthew 5:32, it is written: But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, for any reason except sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
In Matthew 19:6, it is written: So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate. Mark 10:9 states: Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.
Be aware that the enemy, the devil—the old and wicked serpent—is not a friend of marriage, nor a friend of the family. He does not like unity; marriage demonstrates the union of Christ and His Church. Let us pay close attention to this as a people, and let us not allow evil and immorality to continue destroying marriage and the family.
Sincerely, Pastor Marcel Balootje.