Every so often, someone suggests to me that “the Christian approach to divorce” is inherently negotiation from a position of weakness.
They cite Luke 6:29-30 in particular. “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.”
The Quest Study Bible provides an interesting commentary to this point on page 1427. “In this context, Jesus was talking primarily about religious intolerance. When we are persecuted because of righteousness, we should not strike back (Matthew 5:10-12).” That’s hardly a universal invitation to “come hit me.”
It goes on to reference Romans 13:4 as a call to confront evil by way of government action.
Look further.
When Jesus came upon men in the temple courts who were exploiting others, “… He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables,” John 2:14-15. This clearly refutes any image of weakness or passive acceptance of wrongs.
The real question for Christians engaged in divorce negotiations, then, is to know when and how to apply this. See Psalm 119:125.