{"id":63051,"date":"2007-04-08T21:55:00","date_gmt":"2007-04-09T02:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=63051"},"modified":"2023-10-02T21:58:20","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T02:58:20","slug":"marriage-and-divorce-the-good-news-and-the-bad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/marriage-and-divorce-the-good-news-and-the-bad\/","title":{"rendered":"Marriage and Divorce: The Good News and the Bad"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>by Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\t<p>Text: Psalm 50<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\nI.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;An article came out in the paper in April of 2007 trumpeting the news that divorce rates\nare falling\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Divorce rates rose rapidly in the 1960s through the 1980&#8217;s with the adoption of no-fault divorce laws in the United States.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At its peak in 1981 there were 5.3 divorces per 1,000 people.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But today that has dropped to 3.6 divorces per 1,000 people.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Great news! Isn\u2019t it? Well, not fully. You see, the rate of marriage is dropping too.<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The peak was in the 1940, 12.1 marriages per 1,000 people, after the Great\nDepression delayed marriages and there was a strong rebound.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The rate people are marrying is the lowest it has ever been at 7.5 per 1,000\npeople in 2005\n<p>II.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Bad News<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The number of people choosing to live together is continuing to increased\ndramatically\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Numbers<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Between 1960 and 2004 there has been a 1,200% increase in the\nnumber of couples living together without being married\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It has increased 72% just since 1990.<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;c.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In 1960 there were 90 married couples for every one cohabiting\ncouple.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;d.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2004 there were 12 married couples for every one cohabiting\ncouple.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;e.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If the trend continues, in 2010 there will be 7 married couples for\nevery one cohabiting couple.\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Reasons<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The stigma of having sex outside of marriage has been removed<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;People are not concerned about being accountable to God &#8211;\nHebrews 13:4\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;People only give lip service to God &#8211; Psalm 50:16-22<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Technology has allowed people to have sex without producing\nchildren\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With the consequence removed, people were no longer\nrestrained\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Without consequence, people tend toward evil &#8211;\nEcclesiastes 8:11\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Just like a child unrestrained &#8211; Proverbs 29:15<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;c.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Worse, even if a slip up occurs and a child is produced, many\npeople have no restrain on removing the inconvenience by aborting\nthe child\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Currently there are 1.3 million abortions occurring per year,\ndown from a peak of 1.6 million in 1990.\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;God will not justify the wicked &#8211; Exodus 23:7<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In condemning the sinful &#8211; Isaiah 59:7<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;People are choosing not to marry<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Numbers<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The number of people who never marry has been rising since 1970<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What is particularly alarming is trend is higher among the younger\npeople.\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Reasons<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;People focus on self, but marriage is a commitment to another<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Feminism emphasizes independence from men. Dependence\non a man in any way is seen as offensive &#8211; Ephesians 5:22-24\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Men are rejecting their responsibility to support a wife and\nchildren &#8211; Ephesians 5:28-30\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We emphasize the gaining of things, but marriage is the\nsharing of things.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prenuptial agreements which define what are my\nthings before a marriage so I can take them with me\nwhen I divorce.\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;People are reluctant to become one, so they remain two.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No reason is seen for marriage<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Though never marrying the majority of these people are still\nliving with the opposite sex and producing children\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In 1960 5.3 percent of children were born to an\nunwed mother.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2004 36.8 percent of children were born to an\nunwed mother.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Don\u2019t forget that aborted children are not counted in\nthese numbers!\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;People are getting what the want without apparent cost to\nthemselves.\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How different is God\u2019s advice &#8211; I Corinthians 7:8-9<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;c.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A fear of failure<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;You can see this as people put off marriage until they are\nfinancially set.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In part, they are being selfish, but another part is an\nunwillingness to start unless you are certain of\nsuccess.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So many see their parents or their friends\u2019 parents\ndivorce.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Living together, they see their own relationships\nbreak multiple times, and the relationships of those\naround them. The median duration for cohabiting is\nonly 1.3 years! [\u201cCohabitation Facts\u201d,\n<a href=\"http:\/\/members.aol.com\/cohabiting\/facts.htm]\">http:\/\/members.aol.com\/cohabiting\/facts.htm]<\/a>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In other words, they lack courage<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The fearful put off when they are uncertain what the\noutcome will be.\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It takes courage to follow God &#8211; II Corinthians 5:6-10<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;People are waiting longer before marrying<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The numbers<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Around the turn of the century men delayed marriage because they\nand to prove they could support a wife and children.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Americans became wealthier, this pressure was relieved and\nwith World War II, many soldiers married young.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;c.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But now the age is rising both among males and females, not\nbecause of financial pressures but because people aren\u2019t as eager to\nmarry.\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Reasons<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Because teenage marriages have a high rate of failure, people have\ncome to believe that the longer you delay, the more likely the\nmarriage will succeed.\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But our own history shows this to be false.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;People are marrying later, yet half the marriages are failing.<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Just a few generations ago people married younger and\nthose marriages lasted!\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;c.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marriage is meant for the young &#8211; Proverbs 5:18; Malachi 2:14<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With the delay, people who marry late are so set in their\nways that they are unwilling to adapt to another and mold\ntheir life around someone else.\n<p>III.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Good News?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;People still see that marriage is a commitment &#8211; Malachi 2:13-16<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Some of those who are marrying are working at keeping those marriages\nfunctioning. They are willing to learn what it takes to keep a marriage together.\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unfortunately, since 1975 the rate of divorce has remained at about half the\nrate of marriage.\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meaning half the marriages in the United States have been failing.<\/p>\n \n<hr>\n<p>Marriages and Divorces from 1900 to 2005<\/p>\n<br>\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"6\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td rowspan=\"2\" width=\"20%\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\"><br>\n<p>Year<\/p><\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"40%\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\"><p>Marriages<\/p><\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"40%\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\"><p>Divorces<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\"><p>Number<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\">Per 1,000\nPopulation<\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\"><p>Number<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\">Per 1,000\nPopulation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1900<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>709,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>9.3<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>55,751<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>0.7<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1910<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>948,166<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>10.3<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>83,045<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>0.9<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1920<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1,274,476<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>12.0<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>170,505<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1.6<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1930<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1,126,856<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>9.2<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>195,961<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1.6<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1940<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1,595,879<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>12.1<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>264,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2.0<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1950<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1,667,231<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>11.1<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>385,144<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2.6<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1960<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1,523,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>8.5<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>393,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2.2<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1970<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2,158,802<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>10.6<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>708,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>3.5<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1980<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2,406,708<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>10.6<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1,182,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>5.2<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1990<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2,448,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>9.8<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1,175,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>4.7<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2,329,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>8.5<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>[1,150,800]<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>4.2<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2001<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2,327,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>8.4<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>[1,108,095]<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>4.0<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2002<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2,254,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>7.8<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>[1,155,897]<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>4.0<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2003<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2,187,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>7.5<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>[1,108,080]<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>3.8<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2004<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2,279,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>7.8<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>[1,081,064]<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>3.7<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2005<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2,230,000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>7.5<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>[1,070,400]<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>3.6<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n<br>\n<hr>\n<p>Source: Information Please Database, 2007, <a href=\"http:\/\/infoplease.com\">http:\/\/infoplease.com<\/a><\/p>\n<br>\n<p>Those Who Never Marry, 1970 &#8211; 2004<\/p>\n<br>\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"6\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>Percentage<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>Age<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1970<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2004<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"5\" width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>Male:<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>20 to 24<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>35.8<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>83.7<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>86.4<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>25 to 29<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>10.5<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>51.7<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>56.6<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>30 to 34<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>6.2<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>30.0<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>32.2<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>35 to 39 <\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>5.4<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>20.3<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>23.4<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>40 to 44<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>4.9<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>15.7<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>17.6<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"5\" width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>Female:<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>20 to 24<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>54.7<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>72.8<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>75.4<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>25 to 29<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>19.1<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>38.9<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>40.8<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>30 to 34<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>9.4<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>21.9<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>23.7<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>35 to 39<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>7.2<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>14.3<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>14.6<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>40 to 44<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>6.3<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>11.8<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"><p>12.2<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n<br>\n<hr>\n<br>\n<p>Median Age at First Marriage, 1890 &#8211; 2003<\/p>\n<br>\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"6\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>Year<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>Males<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>Females<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1890<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>26.1<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>22.0<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1900<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>25.9<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>21.9<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1910<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>25.1<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>21.6<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1920<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>24.6<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>21.2<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1930<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>24.3<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>21.3<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1940<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>24.3<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>21.5<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1950<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>22.8<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>20.3<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1960<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>22.8<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>20.3<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1970<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>23.2<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>20.8<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1980<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>24.7<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>22.0<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>1990<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>26.1<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>23.9<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2000<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>26.8<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>25.1<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2001<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>26.9<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>25.1<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2002<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>26.9<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>25.3<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>2003<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"33%\" valign=\"top\"><p>27.1<\/p><\/td>\n<td width=\"34%\" valign=\"top\"><p>25.3<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n<br>\n<p>Source: Information Please Database, 2007, http:\/\/infoplease.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 50 &nbsp; I.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;An article came out in the paper in April of 2007 trumpeting the news that divorce rates are falling &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Divorce rates rose rapidly in the 1960s through the 1980&#8217;s with the adoption of no-fault divorce laws in the United States. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At its peak in 1981 there were&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[167,64],"class_list":["post-63051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon","tag-divorce","tag-marriage"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":57486,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/challenges-for-the-year\/","url_meta":{"origin":63051,"position":0},"title":"Challenges for the Year","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 1, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 1:28-32 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toward the end of each year, people tend to review the year and record the trends that are evident \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve been collecting several articles in the last few months dealing with moral trends \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We are not of the world, but we must\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Audio&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18479,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/isnt-divorce-for-any-reason-other-than-fornication-a-sin\/","url_meta":{"origin":63051,"position":1},"title":"Isn&#8217;t divorce for any reason other than fornication a sin?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 22, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Where is the Scripture that God allows divorce for any reason other than fornication,\u00a0such as\u00a0drug addiction, or abuse? I Corinthians 7:10 is not giving permission to divorce.\u00a0It is a command not to.\u00a0 If disobeyed, however, I Corinthians 7:11 says she must remain unmarried.\u00a0There is only one scriptural cause for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Answer&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":29716,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-cant-i-remarry-if-i-fought-the-divorce\/","url_meta":{"origin":63051,"position":2},"title":"Why can&#8217;t I remarry if I fought the divorce?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 25, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: If my wife files for a divorce and I fight it because she is not divorcing me for adultery and the courts give her her way, am I not allowed to remarry even if I fought it and was forced to allow her a divorce? Answer: There is only\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Answer&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":67739,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-if-a-person-lied-about-his-past-marriage\/","url_meta":{"origin":63051,"position":3},"title":"What if a person lied about his past marriage?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 21, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Greetings, I have enjoyed reading your studies and answers for many years. I have two questions if you could answer them please. So far I have only been able to find an answer in necessary inference. If a Christian in good standing unknowingly marries a person who lied about\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Answer&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":17196,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/can-a-divorced-person-remarry-if-adultery-occurred-after-the-divorce\/","url_meta":{"origin":63051,"position":4},"title":"Can a divorced person remarry if adultery occurred after the divorce?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 5, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: If two people are divorced for unbiblical grounds and there is no adultery at the time, yet one spouse after the divorce marries someone else or is sexually immoral is the other then free to remarry another? Answer: \"And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Answer&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2894,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-it-matter-who-files-for-the-divorce\/","url_meta":{"origin":63051,"position":5},"title":"Does it matter who files for the divorce?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 24, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: When you say that someone may divorce their spouse due to fornication, does it matter who actually files the papers? A woman I know moved out of her house, filed divorce papers, and then started dating another man. Her husband didn't know for sure if she was committing adultery\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Answer&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63051"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63051\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}