A sage trying to work things out with a fool gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble. -Proverbs 29:9, THE MESSAGE Arguing Over Why You “Deserved It” This is a wasted argument. It is like talking with someone with your face still bleeding and him/her asking you what you did to deserve having your … Continue reading “Arguing Over Why You “Deserved It””
Category: Sin
Even Our Most-Forgiving God Required Repentance
“If you want to come back, O Israel, you must really come back to me. You must get rid of your stinking sin paraphernalia and not wander away from me anymore.” -Jeremiah 4:1 (from 1-2 block), THE MESSAGE This verse comes on the heals of the chapter where God declares His divorce of Israel over … Continue reading “Even Our Most-Forgiving God Required Repentance”
“No Divorce Allowed!” Legalists
11th Commandment- Thou Shalt Not Divorce.* -Hardline, Evangelical Fundamentalists on Divorce (e.g. John Piper) For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” – Galatians 3:10, NIV *Addendum: If … Continue reading ““No Divorce Allowed!” Legalists”
Cheaters Are SO Cruel!
Nothing can heal you; your wound is fatal. All who hear the news about you clap their hands at your fall, for who has not felt your endless cruelty? -Nahum 3:19, NIV (About Assyria) I continue to be astounded by how cruel humans can be to other humans. Stories I hear and experiences I have … Continue reading “Cheaters Are SO Cruel!”
Mailbag: Can Christians Still Go To Hell If They Sin After Asking For Forgiveness?
M wrote: I came here looking for answers to an issue I have had with a cheating ex and why God continues to bless him with the girl he cheated on me with, as well as he has cheated on her, too and she knows nothing about any of it. I came here for advice … Continue reading “Mailbag: Can Christians Still Go To Hell If They Sin After Asking For Forgiveness?”
Primary Issue Is The Adulterous Spouse
The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it. -Proverbs 22:14, NIV While the Other Man (OM) does not escape censure in this verse, I find it fascinating to see the ancient wisdom of the Bible pointing to the adulterous woman as the … Continue reading “Primary Issue Is The Adulterous Spouse”
God’s Forgiveness Is Great But What About Adultery Victim Care?
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. -Isaiah 1:17, NLT An observation I’ve noticed is how evangelicals are quick to point to God’s forgiveness for adulterers and adulteresses while totally ignoring their victims. It as as if faithful spouses do not exist … Continue reading “God’s Forgiveness Is Great But What About Adultery Victim Care?”
The Oblivious Ones
So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. – Luke 17:3, NIV If you have survived discovering infidelity and/or gone through divorce, you will inevitably encounter “well-meaning” but oblivious Christians. They may even be related to you by blood. These are the sort of … Continue reading “The Oblivious Ones”
“Monogamy is unnatural.”
A reader of Divorce Minister wrote in asking for me to tackle the old saw that “monogamy is unnatural.” It did not take me long to think of an old Steven Curtis Chapman song addressing such a fatalistic, naturalistic stance: You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though … Continue reading ““Monogamy is unnatural.””
Cheaters Underestimate Faithful Spouses’ Worth
Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! – Luke 12:24, NLT Words are weighted. It is harder to dismiss hurtful words from someone who is close to us than from some stranger. … Continue reading “Cheaters Underestimate Faithful Spouses’ Worth”