The Bible distinguishes between marriage and casual sexual relationships by virtue of the three characteristics… Namely, the creation of a separate household, the permanence of the relationship and the becoming of the one flesh union. Sadly, the church has often felt okay about leaving a man or women in limbo, happy that they haven’t applied for an official, legal divorce but as far as God is concerned they are separated because all the biblical elements of marriage no longer exist.

• If a man or woman moves out of the home he has separated.
• If a man or woman separates from his or her spouse he has broken the relationship.
• If a man or woman refuse intimacy with their spouse it is displeasing to God as far as Jesus is concerned.