**Please see EDIT below. Apologies beforehand...**
I would like some advice.
I am engaged to be married to a divorced woman whom I tenderly love. We are both believers and I believe she divorced for the right reasons. My question is this: after reading the reasons, do you agree those reasons are appropriate?
Her ex-husband claimed to be a believer and was never maritally unfaithful. However, he neglected her for years, treating her like "hired help" instead of a wife. But that's not the main reason I'm giving. Please read on.
For years he dragged her into very "cultish" situations and groups where she was subjected to many things that made her feel a deep sense of spiritual oppression. He began to demand that she observe all kinds of festivals and rituals that he said were essential to salvation. In others words, believing in Jesus Christ's words were not enough; she also had to do all these "things" if she wanted to be acceptable to God and enter into Heaven. His behavior frightened her, and he publicly humiliated her on several occasions including one where he accused her of adultery before several people even though she was innocent. I have no evidence that he ever repented of what I can only describe as heresy and demanding that she participate.
She was alone with a man who was a heretic and pressured her to become one as well. And at one point she came to the conclusion that her husband would never change and even get worse. She was drained, confused, and used up. So she divorced him. She and I found each other on-line afterward, and when we found we were both believers we rapidly fell in love. We have been together for almost two years and will be married later this year.
My pastor agrees that she and I should go ahead with the marriage. I want so badly to do things God's way, even though I know I am not yet perfect and struggle in certain areas.
So, can I have a well-considered opinion? I believe I'm doing the right thing. I know Jesus condemned marrying divorcees but He also said that one must "hate" many things in order to be a disciple. And obviously "hating" means willing to separate from something. Having been present at some activities which must, for lack of a better term, be called "demonic," I know to some extent what my fiance went through. I can't imagine any believer staying married to someone who is persistently courting powers and doctrines that don't come from God.
EDIT: I realize the purpose of this forum is really only to support the already divorced. But I really would like advice and I didn't know where else to turn. I believe God can make something beautiful out of anyone who repents, so I'm hopeful. Please forgive if I've brought offense.
I would like some advice.
I am engaged to be married to a divorced woman whom I tenderly love. We are both believers and I believe she divorced for the right reasons. My question is this: after reading the reasons, do you agree those reasons are appropriate?
Her ex-husband claimed to be a believer and was never maritally unfaithful. However, he neglected her for years, treating her like "hired help" instead of a wife. But that's not the main reason I'm giving. Please read on.
For years he dragged her into very "cultish" situations and groups where she was subjected to many things that made her feel a deep sense of spiritual oppression. He began to demand that she observe all kinds of festivals and rituals that he said were essential to salvation. In others words, believing in Jesus Christ's words were not enough; she also had to do all these "things" if she wanted to be acceptable to God and enter into Heaven. His behavior frightened her, and he publicly humiliated her on several occasions including one where he accused her of adultery before several people even though she was innocent. I have no evidence that he ever repented of what I can only describe as heresy and demanding that she participate.
She was alone with a man who was a heretic and pressured her to become one as well. And at one point she came to the conclusion that her husband would never change and even get worse. She was drained, confused, and used up. So she divorced him. She and I found each other on-line afterward, and when we found we were both believers we rapidly fell in love. We have been together for almost two years and will be married later this year.
My pastor agrees that she and I should go ahead with the marriage. I want so badly to do things God's way, even though I know I am not yet perfect and struggle in certain areas.
So, can I have a well-considered opinion? I believe I'm doing the right thing. I know Jesus condemned marrying divorcees but He also said that one must "hate" many things in order to be a disciple. And obviously "hating" means willing to separate from something. Having been present at some activities which must, for lack of a better term, be called "demonic," I know to some extent what my fiance went through. I can't imagine any believer staying married to someone who is persistently courting powers and doctrines that don't come from God.
EDIT: I realize the purpose of this forum is really only to support the already divorced. But I really would like advice and I didn't know where else to turn. I believe God can make something beautiful out of anyone who repents, so I'm hopeful. Please forgive if I've brought offense.
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