How to Divorce-Proof Your Marriage

Notes: How to Divorce-Proof Your Marriage

Matthew 19

Pastor Greg Laurie

Happily Even After

1. Selfishness: our culture is completely self absorbed.

2 Timothy 3:1-2 (NKJV)

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: [2] For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Genesis 4:7 (NKJV)

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."

Ephesians 5:28 (NKJV)

So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

Philippians 2:3-5 (NKJV)

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. [4] Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. [5] Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

2. Communication Breakdown.

Deal with conflict as it arises. Do not let it escalate. If its important to your mate then it should be important to you.

We should not answer a matter before we hear it.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NKJV)

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. [32] And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Fight to resolve NOT to win.

3. Adultery.

This one "made Gods top ten."

Unfaithfulness is one of the greatest threats against marriage.

1 Corinthians 6:9 (NKJV)

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

Proverbs 7:24-27 (NKJV)

Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: [25] Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; [26] For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. [27] Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.

Matthew 5:27-28 (NKJV)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' [28] But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Sexual temptation is everywhere

This does damage to you and to your spouse.

1 Corinthians 6:16-18 (NKJV)

Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh." [17] But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. [18] Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

This does damage to your children. They will follow your example for good or bad.

This does damage to the church. If one is affected we all are affected.

This is a damage to your witness.

This hurts God that you have sinned.

Matthew 19:7-9 (NKJV)

They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" [8] He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. [9] 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."

1 Corinthians 7:15 (NKJV)

But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

Protecting your Family:

1: walk with God

2: walk with your spouse

3: don't walk in the council of the ungodly.

4: count the cost

God forgives and gives a second chance. Jesus said let him who is sinless cast the first stone.

"Go and sin no more"