Is there a way to know if it's God's will or mine?

I'm finally figuring this site out. I feel drawn to this page during the day as I know the peace I'm starting to feel is a result of our prayers for each other. I do want God to restore the love back into our hearts and our marriage if that's Gods will for us. How do we know if this is what God wants or if it's what I want? Is there a way to know if it's God's will or mine?
Any advice, experience, or ideas welcome.

Matthew 19:6 "Therefore what God has joined together, let NO man separate."

Malachi 2:15-16 "Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are HIS... so guard yourself in you rspirit, and DO NOT break faith with the wife of your youth. "I HATE divorce," says the Lord God of Israel...."

1 Cor. 7:10-11 "To the married I give this COMMAND (not I, but the LORD): A wife must NOT separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must NOT divorce his wife."

1 Cor. 7:12-17 "If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live wiht him, he must not divorce her." ( I believe this goes for men with unbelieving wives as well.)

There are only two "allowances" (NOT commands however) for divorce... one is sexual unfaithfulness and indicates that it is an ongoing, unrepentant thing (Matt: 5:31-32) and the other is if the unbelieving spouse WANTS and insists on leaving, despite the believing spouse's commitment to the marriage (1 Cor. 7:12-17).

Neither are commanded though. Forgiveness and repentance are ALWAYS the better and higher way. The ONLY reason divorce exists or is permitted by God is because of a person's sin that has resulted from a hard heart.

"Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.... It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote this law," Jesus replied."

God's will is NOT divorce. Divorce is the lesser of two evils. His will is marriage that is lifelong. His will is forgiveness, faith, perseverence, patience, longsuffering, love, goodness, and reconciliation, but I do not have time to list all those verses. However, if you read the letters of Paul especially, you will see His will clearly... how He tells us to fogive, to "bear with one another in love," to be patient, to pray, to trust Him, etc.

Yes, there is a way to know if it is God's will. God has said it is His will in His Word. Will your wife obey? She might not. We are told God's will but we often disobey. You however can obey, even if your wife does not. If she doesn't and she refuses to reconcile or forgive or love and she insists on divorce, even though clearly it is not God's will, then God will guide you as to what to do as each day comes. You will know Him and what His willl is ONLY if you are in His Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with other Christians at a local church.

God bless and may He restore your marriage quickly!

[ January 29, 2004, 12:33 AM: Message edited by: LoveMyEx ]

You can always count on LMX for scripture to back up the things she says. Thank you sister.

G, God said he hates divorce. Can His will be any clearer than that?

Bless you.

S&C

g/lmx/s&c,
I never give up hope, but I do waiver on it being His Will for me <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> .

lmx wrote:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />There are only two "allowances" (NOT commands however) for divorce... one is sexual unfaithfulness and indicates that it is an ongoing, unrepentant thing (Matt: 5:31-32) and the other is if the unbelieving spouse WANTS and insists on leaving, despite the believing spouse's commitment to the marriage (1 Cor. 7:12-17). <hr /></blockquote>I fall into both those cats: I cheated and she is not a believer.

BUT I WILL NOT GIVE UP HOPE!

I ask for the support of my brothers ans sisters in Christ here to keep me up when the enemy tries to lead me astray.

This ministry and fellowship has saved my life; and if it be His Will, it will 'help' save my marriage.

Love and Peace in Christ,
ttsmm