Question: Brother Dollar, I was divorced several years ago because of some very bad circumstances in my marriage. I have since met someone who also is a Spirit-filled Christian, and we have been talking about getting married.

Some people I know at church, however, have told me that, as long as my former spouse is living, I cannot remarry or I will be committing adultery. Would you please help me to understand what the Word of God says about this?

Answer: Right from the start, I want to make one point very clear. I am not dealing with this subject to give someone a reason to marry or an excuse to get divorced. I'm dealing with this to set the captives - people who have been in bondage through bad doctrinal teaching - free. After all, Christians are not looking for a way to sin, they're looking for a way out of sin.

The Word of God says,

...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
(John 8:31-32)

If you approach it from a religious point of view, people will tell you all types of things where marriage is concerned. But when you deal with it from a Word-based point of view, you'll get understanding and it will never leave you.

In other words, when you continue to study and meditate on the Word of God, you become discipled, or disciplined, in it. Then you will know the truth, and the truth that you know will make you free.

Unfortunately, we've taken that scripture religiously and reduced it to one little phrase, "The truth will make you free." There are a lot of people who know the truth, but they're still in bondage.

Therefore it's important for you to realize that it takes more than knowing the truth. Living consistently with the truth that you know and hear-getting involved in it, continuing and getting disciplined in it - makes you free.

Consistency is the Key
You see, consistency is the key to your breakthrough. Once you are disciplined, the result will be freedom. You also need to understand that God's Word is not designed to condemn or frustrate anyone.

On the contrary, it gives you liberty. Being the pastor of World Changers Church International, I deal with people who are getting divorced, already divorced, and some who have been divorced two, three or four times. Unfortunately, sometimes when I speak to these people, I discover that other "well-meaning Christians" have already tried to advise them, but all they managed to do was to put them under condemnation.

Let's take a moment to consider the following: If divorce really is a fixed law, then why does the Word of God allow for exceptions? Fixed laws have no exceptions. But I have found several examples where exceptions have been given to biblical laws: Matt.5:31-32; 1 Cor. 7:10-15; John 8:1-9.

The Bible can be confusing if you attempt to comprehend it through your carnal (fleshy) mind. That's why 2 Corinthians 3:6 says,

[God] also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
(2 Cor. 3:6)

In the case of these exceptions to divorce and remarriage, there must be balance. Reading the Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you through your spirit man gives you that balance.

Until this is achieved, you cannot live the abundant life Jesus spoke of in John 10:10. He said, "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

So ask yourself: Is it abundant life for a spouse to get beaten every day? Or to live in bondage to what other believers say who are unlearned in the Word and are self-led instead of Spirit-led?

The truth is, your decision must come in line with the Word of God and your spirit, which is the voice of your conscience. If you sense in your spirit that God wants you to remarry, then do so.

If He says get out of your abusive relationship, Honey, do it quickly! Don't expect your pastor to make the decision for you because it's not his to make - it's yours. Your responsibility is to pray and seek God for direction regardless of your situation.

Child of God, trust in the Lord! He knows what you desire and what to do in order to perfect the relationship He's ordained for you. Hear from God for yourself and concentrate on doing exactly what He says.

And while He's mending your hurts and giving you peace of mind, make a daily deposit of the Word by reading it, speaking it and hearing it. Be empowered by it and live like the overcomer you are. Remember "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Ps.30:5).

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