THE TWISTED LIE OF “GOD HATES DIVORCE”

By Edwin Christiaan | 9/29/2022 | www.instituteoflove.net

Once again, welcome to the Christian church with its false doctrines and teachings that cause the ruin of many people’s lives! And this one is a doozy!

Church leaders are using the Old Testament verse in Malachi 2:16, where God said to the Israelite men “For I hate divorce,” to tell married couples that they are not to divorce no matter the circumstances, because ‘God hates divorce.’ Divorce is equaled to an unpardonable sin! 

So, these false pastors are telling you that you are not allowed to divorce your husband when he is abusing you emotionally or physically! 

When your husband is into porn, you are not allowed to divorce him. 

When your spouse is a drunkard, you are not allowed to divorce. 

When your spouse is greedy or worship idols, you are not allowed to divorce. 

Because they are being told that “God hates divorce,” people end up staying in unfaithful or abusive marriages for decades, destroying their own lives!

This is an absolute travesty perpetrated by the Christian church. A total deception! 

Let’s see what the Bible really says about this subject: 

First of all, Malachi 2:16 was written about 500 years before the time of Christ. The original Hebrew translation does not say, "I hate divorce" or "God hates divorce." The New International Version (NIV) gives the right translation when it says, 

“The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.” 

Malachi 2:16 NIV 

This passage was written during a time when men, mostly leaders, were divorcing their wives without cause. What Malachi 2:16 basically says is that God hates the man who tosses out his wife, who hurts his wife, who mistreats her, who covers her with violence, especially so because the husband is supposed to be her protector. The entire context of Malachi chapter 1 and 2, is about God’s rebuke of the Israelite men, who hypocritically made a show of loyalty to the Lord, but in reality, were cheating Him. Then God says He doesn't answer their prayers because of how bad they treat their wives. 

Malachi 2:16 is NOT about God’s anger at divorce, but His anger at hypocritical, unfaithful, violent husbands, who dump their wives without just cause. 

In fact, God does permit divorce! Under the Old Testament Law of Moses it says, 

“If a man who has married a slave wife takes another wife for himself, he must not neglect the rights of the first wife to food, clothing, and sexual intimacy. If he fails in any of these three obligations, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment.” 

Exodus 21:10-11 NLT

“Suppose a man marries a woman but she does not please him. Having discovered something wrong with her, he writes a document of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house. When she leaves his house, she is free to marry another man.” 

Deuteronomy 24:1-2 NLT 

In the New Testament, Jesus specifically allowed divorce for infidelity: 

“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.” 

Matthew 19:9 NKJV 

Jesus did not say that this is the only reason for divorce! 

The Apostle Paul allowed divorce for abandonment: 

“For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy. (But if the husband or wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the believing husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.)” 

1 Corinthians 7:14-15 NLT 

Furthermore, Paul teaches the church, 

“Not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.” 

1 Corinthians 5:11 NLT 

“Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.” 

Ephesians 5:3 NLT 

Naturally, this does NOT EXCLUDE those being married to someone living this sort of evil lifestyle. In other words, as a Christian, you cannot be married to someone like that! Only a foolish pastor will say these verses apply to everything except marriage! 

It for this reason we encourage people to get out of churches who are teaching this “God hates divorce” garbage. 

May the Lord have mercy!