Matthew 5:31-32

God takes covenant very seriously, and God hates divorce. Divorce is not to be considered for just any reason, even though this seemed to be a custom at certain points in the Old Testament. Jesus clarifies that divorce is not to be pursued except in cases of sexual unfaithfulness known as adultery.

Adultery is sexual unfaithfulness that occurs when a married man or woman engages in sexual relations with someone outside the marriage covenant. Yet it runs much deeper than the physical act itself—it is the breaking of trust and exclusivity that are meant to exist only within the marriage covenant. Two people have made vows to one another with God as their witness, and those vows are not meant to be broken.
At its core, adultery is the breaking of covenant.

Scripture presents different types of covenants that fall into two broad categories: unconditional and conditional. Unconditional covenants are those in which God binds Himself by promise. The Noahic covenant is one such example—God promises never again to destroy the earth by a flood. These covenants are initiated by God, guaranteed by God, fulfilled by God, and cannot be broken by human failure.

Conditional covenants are different. The blessings of the covenant are contingent upon obedience to its terms. The Mosaic covenant is one such example. Marriage is also considered a conditional covenant—sealed with vows before God and contingent upon mutual faithfulness. Adultery occurs when those conditions are violated and trust is broken. Worse still, when divorce takes place, it is the tearing apart of what God has joined together. The two become one, and that unity is being ripped apart spiritually. This is why divorce is so deeply painful.

One of the most important decisions a person will make in life—aside from accepting Jesus as Lord—is choosing whom to marry. That decision can either strengthen or severely damage a person’s life. Scripture is clear that we are not to be unequally yoked; entering such a union is like drilling a hole in your boat before you ever leave the shore.

It bears repeating what Proverbs 4:23 teaches:

“Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.”

Matters of the heart truly make or break us.