Divorce
Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery"
Matthew 19:8-9
If you consider getting a divorce, you should feel shocked and faint. In the future, the word "divorce" will be erased from the dictionary. God will never compromise one inch on this. If you can discuss the possibility of divorce without feeling stunned, then you know how far from God you are. This is an absolute criterion. We have to live according to that standard before we can say we have gained absolute love.
True Man, True Church, True Country
January 9, 1983
Should a woman discard her husband if, for some reason, she feels he doesn't suit her? Should you divorce? No. Mankind never knew this before, but divorce is similar to the act of abortion. Staying married creates the possibility for the fulfillment of all these goals, but divorce breaks down every possibility destroying the parents, the children, and the ideal.
Ask your original mind: Should you divorce your spouse? Ask your children whether they want you to divorce. What about your parents? Ask them if they would like you to divorce. Nobody wants to go through divorce. The one who is pursuing a divorce will feel sad, but if he doesn't realize the seriousness of the issue, he will go ahead and sign the paper.
Thank You for Protecting Us
November 22, 1987
In this world, parents do not have absolute unity. They are inclined to struggle and fight with one another and even think about divorce. Is such a world heaven or hell? Do you imagine that your two eyes desire to divorce? These eyes always have harmony and unity one with another. They follow each other. Do you think that your left nostril desires to divorce your right nostril? They always work in harmony with each other. Your upper and lower lips always operate in oneness and remain eternally together. Do you think that your right ear will decide not to hear anymore and let the left ear do it all? Actually our five senses do not have any concept of divorce. However, our body's desire is the problem. Our bodily desire demands that our mind follow.
Within my family there are children from two different mothers. When I lost my first wife through divorce, I had to go through a wilderness course; I lost everything, in a way now the entire world is experiencing the same thing through the breakdown of families. The world has completely lost God's true love family center. It has lost God's value system.
Our Responsibility in Becoming Children of True Parents
February 16, 1997
From all the usual standards of appearance and education, your husband may seem impossible, but the important question is whether he is genuinely living for the will of God. However ugly that person may be, he can be refined by dressing him up and educating him and teaching him manners. The handsome man, on the other hand, would more likely think it is foolish to live for God and not for himself. Which type of husband would you want?
I experienced this very thing in my own life. My first wife was outstanding as an individual, but she only thought of her own welfare and that of our family. But I was looking for a woman who would take care of everyone else first. I wanted our home to be open for public service and a place of God's love, but she could not live like that. If I had listened to her, would I be here today teaching you this message? I knew that my wife had a very difficult task to truly live for the sake of others, while to follow her direction would have led to permanent death. I could not possibly live that way. When she knew she could not change my mind, she left.
New Family Given by God
September 5, 1982
The Book of Malachi and Marriage
• “Malachi” is not a real name.
• In Hebrew, it means “Messenger.”
• The person who wrote it called himself a messenger of God or a prophet.
• Malachi was written at a time when the priesthood of the Jews was very corrupt, and the people were very lax about spiritual observances.
• Because of this, Malachi called the priests out on their bad practices, especially how they conducted their marriages.
• In Malachi 2: 13 - 16, the prophet says:
“You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, ‘Why?’ It is because the LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant . . . 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.”
• Notice how the messenger invokes the Lord twice in that sentence to give his words more power and authority.
• This last book of the Old Testament, the book of Malachi, was recorded about 420 years before Christ.
• There is no other recorded message from God for another 400+ years.
• We can assume, then, that God meant what He said with these strong words.
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