My views on Divorce

There are 2 clear Biblical grounds for divorce

(1) sexual immorality (Matthew 5:32; 19:9) and (2) abandonment by an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:15).

These grounds are not absolutes, they give ALLOWANCE for divorce.

Confession, forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration are always the first steps. Divorce should only be viewed as a last resort.

 The most frequent additional grounds for divorce that people inquire about are spousal abuse (emotional or physical), child abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual), addiction to pornography, drug / alcohol use, crime / imprisonment, and mismanagement of finances (such as through a gambling addiction). None of these can be claimed to be explicit biblical grounds for a divorce. It is very dangerous to go beyond what the Bible says. 

 However, we cannot imagine that it would be God’s desire for a wife to remain with a husband who physically abuses her and/or their children. In such an instance, the wife should definitely separate herself and the children from the abusive husband. However, even in such a situation, a time of separation with the goal of repentance and restoration should be the ideal, not necessarily immediately beginning divorce proceedings. If there is any risk to self or children, separation is a good and appropriate step.

 Questions that arise for me are - is emotional/verbal abuse a ground for separation? What is emotional/verbal abuse, really? What of the person whose spouse serves them divorce papers? What should they do? I have to admit that I have more questions than answers for this question...