Sexual sin, abandonment, and abuse are biblically-supported grounds for divorce and remarriage, though God's ideal is lifelong marriage. While divorce always stems from human sin, not everyone who divorces commits sin themselves.

God permits divorce in these specific cases:

1. Sexual Immorality

• Includes adultery and homosexual acts
• May include unrepentant pornography use
• The innocent spouse has the right to divorce
• Marriage can potentially be restored through repentance

2. Abandonment

• Applies when an unbelieving spouse leaves
• Includes willful neglect of marital duties
• Church discipline process needed if abandoning spouse claims faith
• Freedom to remarry is implied

3. Abuse (as a form of abandonment)

• Represents severe marital neglect
• Includes patterns of oppression and coercion
• Physical safety must be prioritized
• Requires wisdom to distinguish from normal conflict

While God hates divorce, He provides these exceptions to protect innocent spouses from covenant violations. Churches must balance protecting marriage with protecting victims of serious marital sins.

Key principles:

• Marriage is designed as a lifelong covenant
• Divorce should only be a last resort
• Each situation requires careful biblical wisdom
• Both protection of marriage and victims is important
• Reconciliation should be pursued when possible
• Remarriage is permitted for those with biblical grounds

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