In 2005, revelations of Josh Duggar fondling his younger sisters were everywhere. His actions began more than 12 years before while Josh was a child.
Once again, Josh Duggar, was arrested in April, 2021, on child pornography charges. According to Fox News, who spoke exclusively to a source close to his wife Anna, she isn’t looking to divorce her husband. It would be a “last resort” for the soon-to-be-mom-of-seven.
“He’s currently living with third party custodians at a home away from his wife Anna and their six kids per a court order. While several have speculated if Josh and Anna’s 12-year marriage can survive his latest scandal, a source close to the family tells Fox News that Anna Duggar is a “strong” wife who is holding on to her faith.” (Source)
“That is the kind of wife she is and the kind of person she is and the kind of family that they are,” the family insider said of Anna’s willingness to stay married to Josh. “She and his family are going to stick by him no matter what. They obviously won’t agree with some things he’s done in the past and don’t know what’s happening with what’s going on right now but they’re always going to love him and stand by him and want the best for him, and want him to do things right. They’re never going to be different than that.””
It continues to be a nightmare for those harmed by Josh Duggar’s past actions. The victims of his behavior must not be forgotten in all of this.
Unfortunately, this type of thing is all too common. Victims of sexual abuse often suffer greatly for many years as a result of these sins committed against them. We mustn’t downplay the gravity of the confusion and pain they produce, sometimes for a lifetime, and earnestly be in prayer for them. The actions Josh committed were horrendous and criminal. As we can see, it’s damaging his life and reputation now years later.
But (and it is a big BUT), as a sinner saved by God’s mercy and grace, I did not (and still don’t) join the chorus of people publicly crying out against Josh Duggar. Hopefully, he is broken by this and will repent, putting his sins behind him. If he does, they shouldn’t define him years from now (although they are more aggregious) any more than something you, dear reader, did 12 years ago (or last month), either. When I was in college, I lived a life of blatant sin, even doing illegal things during the anti-establishment era of the 1970s. The prayer, like that of his family, is that he can repent and turn his life around.
12 Certain Signs That Someone Is Genuinely Repentant
I know I’m just another voice in a discussion like this, but I speak up because I too have a horrible past.
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From the way liberals always react in these situations, you’d think that a Christian committing a sin somehow delegitimizes the [Christian] faith itself, but that’s not quite accurate. They would indeed be correct in their assessment if the central tenet of the Christian faith was that all believers in Christ are without sin or blemish. But far from that being a doctrine of the religion, it is actually the precise opposite of what Christians believe. None of us — not the Duggars, not anyone — claim that a faith in Jesus bestows perfect holiness on the faithful. It is because of our sinful nature that we need Him. When we sin, we do not disprove that thesis; we underscore it. ~Matt Walsh, The Duggars Aren’t Hypocrites. Progressives Are.
Shark Attack
There’s blood in the water, and the sharks are coming to have their taste. As the crew of a whaling boat began reeling in the whale they had just harpooned, they spotted a couple of sharks that were attracted to the blood.They knew if they didn’t quickly hoist the whale out of the water, they would be inundated with sharks. Within minutes, dozens of sharks were biting and frothing the water. With their eyes rolled back, the sharks began taking bites out of the whale.
The whaling crew desperately tried to save their catch. They begin beating the sharks off with paddles and hooking rods. Although they are able to injure several sharks, they still lost 1/3 of the whale.
The ironic thing was, during this bloody feeding frenzy, the sharks started attacking the other wounded sharks.
Unfortunately, this savagery is typical of many Christians. You may have heard it said, “The Christian army is the only army that shoots its wounded.”
This shooting of our fellow wounded illustrates a practice as old as time itself. Consider the story of the woman caught in adultery. The condemnation of those willing to stone her illustrates this concept poignantly.
Pointing The Finger
We take aim more readily at the wounded when the sins in the other person are a glaring reflection of our own hidden struggles.
Attacking a sinner somehow makes us feel better about ourselves and turns the focus off us. I’ve heard it said that when we point a finger at the accused, three fingers point back at us!
We see sin everywhere but in ourselves.
And Satan loves it!
The negative response to Josh Duggar’s sin by Christians is absolutely going against the entire purpose of the Gospel. God doesn’t even remember Josh Duggar’s sin if he truly has repented. And IF he hasn’t God does know it and will deal with it. God hates a hypocrite!
I would like to point out there is a difference between forgiving a person and trusting and respecting him.
Trust and respect is something that has to be earned. Many people assume if you forgive a person, you must put things back to the way they were. Not only is this untrue, it is often unwise. There are always consequences for our sins.
In the six thousand years since the Garden of Eden, two of Satan’s most strategic assaults have been focused on destroying the sanctity of the marriage covenant and the unity of our homes.
Satan will use any tactic he can; he will capitalize on every advantage imaginable to disrupt the harmony in our relationships and in our homes.
Ultimately, Satan’s greatest desire is to discredit the name of Christ through the weaknesses of His wounded followers.
We Are All Wounded
Christianity is the religion of second chances and u-turns for the wounded. While we accept this for ourselves… often we seem to delight in refusing God’s grace on behalf of others. Love does not rejoice in iniquity (1 Corinthians 13:6)!
God can, and does, use adulterers, liars, prostitutes, thieves, murderers…those who doubt, gossip, covet, mock, etc… to advance the Kingdom. Hebrews 11 gives us an unusual lineup of heroes:
Moses had an anger problem that led to murderer and cover up.
David coveted Uriah’s wife and then had Uriah murdered.
Rahab was a prostitute who slept around.
Eli was given an “F” in parenting his sons.
Abraham was willing to sell out Sarah twice.
Samson had a lust problem.
Sarah laughed out loud at God in disbelief then lied about it.
Jacob was a deceiver who completely duped his brother Esau, Barak left the leadership up to Deborah, Gideon wanted power …
I am so thankful I am not interrogated today for who I was years ago. I am grateful that I am not held up to the light and cross-examined as a Christian TODAY because of my past sins. The reason I am so in love with my Savior today is because of His merciful forgiveness.
So my question about the Josh Duggar story yesterday or today is, “Why does this situation matter at all?” All of us are desperate, wounded, patched-up, wretched sinners, and our only hope is in Jesus Christ. The best Christian examples I know are broken people who openly confess that they don’t have it all together and that apart from the almighty saving work and preserving grace of God, they would slide into utter corruption.
Who of us can throw that first stone – or shoot, as in the context of this post? If you haven’t committed some sin you genuinely regret at some time or other, then maybe you can go ahead and shoot.
If you have a stone in your hand… Please drop it! We are all called to repent and walk upright before God. If you have repented of your sins, then you should be Sooo full of mercy to where you have to share it, because you remember your own stink! You may say, “But I didn’t do what the other guy did!” But are you bitter? Unforgiving? Vengeful? Gossiping? Backbiting? Immoral in your thoughts and/or entertainment? Are you Consuming things that are harmful? Flirting with someone who is not yours? Do you have secrets in your closet?
If so then forgiveness awaits you, too! However, you must repent to receive it! Then once you have been pardoned by Heaven, the accusations and penalties of Earth will lose their real sting, which it eternal damnation. ~Nicole C. Mullen
As with Josh Duggar or any one of us, the key word is repentance. I really hope he will. That is between God and him. And it will determine his eternity. God is not mocked!
I thank God we can be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb by accepting His merciful grace and confessing our sins. Please, think twice if you are a Christian and judging or posting about the current target in the news or anyone else, especially someone in the household of faith!
If Josh Duggar is not in Christ (because his fruit does not show it), pray that he will be one day very soon!
Let’s remember why Christ died on the cross and not shoot our wounded.
May God use this horrific situation, and others like it, to bring glory to Himself.
Could Something Reminiscent of the Duggars Happen In Your Home?
12 Certain Signs That Someone Has A Genuinely Repentant Heart
Trey Pearson and His ‘Coming Out’: A Christian Perspective
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” ~Ephesians 5:3
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