1Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.
2The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him.
3And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?"
4They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her."
5And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' 7'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
10In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. 11So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
This is another text that is very difficult. Not because it is so vague that it is hard to understand, but because it is so clear but against what I would like to believe.
Jesus is very clearly stating that God intended from the very beginning that men and women would be joined in marriage, and when joined they would become one flesh. What God has joined, no man should separate. Divorce followed by another marriage is adultery. The end.
I don't know if I am right or wrong, but here are my thoughts on marriage and divorce. God intended many things for us from the very beginning of creation. In our sinful state and our hardened hearts, we have made a real mess of many of his intentions. Marriage is only one of them.
God intended for men and women to marry, but I don't think He meant or wished for any man to be able to be married to just any woman. I think if God wants you to be married, there is a "right" person out there for you, as well as there being many "wrong" people. To our misfortune, we were given the freedom of choice. In all aspects of our lives, we make some good choices, but also make many bad choices. I am a firm believer that God loves us so much that He always leaves us a way out of a bad choice.
Yes, I agree it is a sin to separate a good marriage which God has joined. A marriage joined by God as he intended is a very beautiful, wonderful thing. But what about a marriage where the husband and/or wife do not separate themselves from their family and friends enough to join with their spouse as God intended? Or what about those marriages where the couple do not become one flesh, but eat at each other's flesh through their animosity toward one another? Even though these couples went through a marriage ceremony, are they really joined by God? Really being joined is much more than getting a certificate that says you are married. Therefore is divorcing from such a marriage really separating what God has joined?
I think it is as much of a sin to enter into a marriage that God didn't intend to be as it is to divorce from a marriage that God had meant to be together. Therefore I think as much heartfelt prayer should lead into a couple's decision to marry as is expended on discussions of if a couple should divorce.
Just as no one is perfect, no marriage is perfect. Therefore we can't expect our marriage to be the perfect union that God intended. There will be ups and downs, trials and celebrations in every marriage. So how do we know if our marriage is bad because it was a bad choice to enter it, or if we just need more of God's help to join us in the union He intended for us? This is a question I am not able to answer. Nothing is impossible with God. Can he fix a bad marriage? I think He can, but there are many situations we are in that God could fix but chooses not to. Only He knows what is best for us.
Just be assured that God loves each and every one of us. He wants what is best for us. Keep your faith in God and an open heart so He can work through you. I don't think he will condemn you for any actions you take that are guided by Him. ...But exactly how that applies to marriage and divorce I'm not sure. These were just my thoughts.