Hello All,

I am new here so let me begin by telling you a little about myself. I am 26 years old, and new on the marriage block. I have been married for about a year and a half.

My marriage is not the problem I am concerned with. It is my sisters, she is 27, and has been married for 5 1/2 years. We are all Christians, but go to different churches. They are Church of Christ, and we are Baptists. The problem is, that my brother-in-law has been going out to drink and coming home drunk for about the past year or so. He goes out about 3 or 4 times a year, and comes home so drunk that he cant even walk straight. My sister has been talking to hima about it seriously and telling him that she can not live with that. They have a 3 year old daughter and a 2 month old son. My sister is stressed out enough with a new baby, and a new job. She says that she wants to file for divorce, and that she thought about separating from him first, but that she didnt think it was worth the trouble. He told her that she would be the one that was unscriptual if she left him. (As if what he is doing is not.) I dont want to be naive about the whole thing, but I dont know what would be the best thing for her to do. How does God feel about a spouce leaving if that kind of thing is going on? I dont want her or the kids to be in danger if they stay, but I do know how God feels about divorce, and as far as the children go, I know how it feels growing up with out a father. She says that she doesnt like to think that her daughter has to listen to them fuss. Any help would be greatly appreciated. What kind of advice can I give her?

Julie

No, I'd say it's unscriptural for her to leave. If he was cheating on her, that would be different.

3-4 times a year does not seem like something that should be impacting her daily life, either. She may not like it, and may disapprove of it, but it's not even close to a monthly occurance. You've got to decide what you really want to fight about, and I sure wouldn't fight about it if it's really that infrequent.

I agree with pretty garnet. There are alot of christians who do drink occationally-this is occationally. All christians do things that are not right sometimes.
If my ex-husband went out drinking only that often-I'd prabably still be with him.
Are you sure that your sister isn't just looking for a way out and to be able to blame her husband?
Just curious.

Thank you for your responses. I certainly agree with you. I dont think I would leave if it were only that often. I know I wouldnt like it, but before I would take that kind of action, I would take it to God. I really do not think that God would approve of her leaving. Espically since I dont think her or the kids are in any danger when He drinks. My mom always says that you have to pick your battles. So I guess this is just one of the many things that she may have to deal with.

Julie