Should I date a woman who divorced her husband because of his infidelity?
Question:
There is a young woman who I'm interested in. Last year she divorced her husband because she found out through the woman he slept with and her friends that her husband was cheating on her. She said he also later confessed to her about sleeping around and that's when she decided to file for divorce. I've heard a couple of people in the Lord's church speak of "challenging a divorce." They think that since her ex-husband has family in the church that they might ask to challenge her divorce if she tries to remarry. This woman has since been baptized into the Lord's church and her ex-husband is still in a denominational church. I'm not sure if I should continue to date her due to the fact that I'm not sure if she would be eligible to remarry. I've talked to some ministers and they mentioned something about "what does the court documents say?" The court document says they divorced because of broken marriage vows. I'm lost because I recently was baptized into the Lord's church, and I never knew the rules of divorce and remarriage. I have no clue what the process involves. Would there be an actual investigation? She's a very sincere woman whose story never changes every time she describes the events leading to her divorce. And her mother along with various sincere people can pretty much describe the situation the same way. I need help. I've been praying. She's an awesome woman who just didn't have the right man in her life. I have grown to love her children and provide a positive and godly influence in her and the kids' lives. She was married for several years. She never dated anyone but him. He left a scar on her heart that her relationship with God is starting to heal.
Could you help me understand this "remarriage" process and provide some insight?
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Answer:
See: I need a dumbed-down version about divorce and remarriage.
The only question anyone should have is whether she left her husband because he was committing fornication. The answer to that is clearly, "yes." Her divorce matches the exception clause in "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" (Matthew 19:9). Therefore, she can marry again. You should have no qualms about this.
There will always be people who try to second guess events, not because of facts but to accomplish some other agenda. There is no formal "challenging a divorce" in the church. If someone thought a divorce was improper, they should have discussed it at the time. If someone wonders whether she has the right to remarry, just mentioned that she did divorce her husband because of his infidelity.
Response:
Thank you so much for your spiritual insight.
