Posts Tagged ‘1 corinthians 7’
Marriage and Alcoholism
Question:
I live with a man that is an alcoholic and is a very carnal person. I been reading about problems of the alcoholics and there are many problems that arise with being an alcoholic besides health problems. he lie’s, he’s very carnal….now my question is how do I fit into this situation why do I continue to be with him, I feel like I am with him for a reason, I believe there is a reason for everything that we do. how does Jesus feel about my situation? am I doing the right thing, what way can I help this person who I care and feel sorry for. I worry about my salvation everyday and I fight with good and bad thoughts of staying or leaving. please help me.
Answer:
There are several things to consider and I suggest you enter into some kind of Christian counseling. This is not a thing to be taken lightly. First and foremost you must consider if you are in danger. I’m not talking about emotional abuse although that can lead to physical abuse. If your spouse is physically abusing you that is a matter for the law and you should get out as soon as you can. Jesus does not ask people to subject themselves to physical harm in marriage. If there is no physical danger first seek counseling. Even if it just for yourself.
The Bible does speak about being married to someone who does not believe. 1 Corinthians 7:
1 Corinthians 7:10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
If your husband is willing to stay with you then you should not leave him. However, if he chooses to leave you then you have no choice. Other forms of danger that you should consider have to do with physical abuse of your children, sexually transmitted disease and behavior that may result in harm i.e. he insists that you ride with him while he drives drunk. You must not put yourself in harms way in order to fulfill your Christian duty as a wife.
Again, I close with this: Seek professional help. A website is no place to receive personal advice on these kinds of matters. We can tell you what the Bible says but you need to have counsel from someone that can help you evaluate the situation on a personal level.
Our prayers are with you.
