Nigerian preacher Apostle Michael Orokpo has cautioned Christians against rushing into divorce and remarriage following marital crises, urging couples to seek spiritual guidance, counselling and reconciliation where possible.
In remarks attributed to the cleric, Orokpo argued that marriage should not be entered into solely on the strength of emotions and maintained that couples must approach marital challenges with a commitment to biblical principles, personal transformation and the preservation of their union.
He criticised social media advice encouraging spouses to leave their marriages immediately after conflicts, including situations involving physical altercations, insisting that couples should seek help from appropriate authorities rather than make decisions based solely on online opinions.
According to the position attributed to him, church authorities should investigate serious marital disputes, identify the underlying problems and determine whether the relationship can be repaired.
Where reconciliation is not immediately possible, he advocated temporary separation accompanied by counselling, discipleship and efforts to address the behaviour and attitudes contributing to the conflict. He maintained that the objective should be to help both partners change and, where appropriate, reunite.
Orokpo also expressed a strong position against remarriage after divorce, citing his interpretation of biblical teachings on marriage and adultery. He referenced the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:32 and related passages as the basis for his argument that divorce and subsequent remarriage can have serious spiritual consequences.
The preacher urged unmarried Christians to follow what he described as the biblical approach to choosing a spouse, while encouraging married couples to invest in prayer, godly character and the teachings of Scripture to strengthen their relationships.
However, his position raises important questions about how Christian teachings on marriage should be applied in situations involving domestic violence, abuse and threats to personal safety.
Seeking reconciliation does not require anyone to remain in immediate danger. Physical violence and abuse are serious matters, and a person facing danger should seek safety and appropriate professional or legal assistance. Counselling or pastoral intervention should not be used to pressure an abused spouse into returning to an unsafe environment.
Christian denominations also differ in their interpretations of the biblical grounds for divorce, separation and remarriage. Consequently, Orokpo’s statements should be understood as his particular religious interpretation rather than a position universally accepted by all Christian traditions.
The discussion highlights the continuing debate among religious leaders and Christian communities over marital commitment, forgiveness, reconciliation and the responsibility to protect people experiencing abuse.
