In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. -Matthew 23:28, NIV Dealing with a religious cheater and religious supporters of said cheater results in a master’s class in spiritual abuse tactics and religious manipulations. The lessons I have learned … Continue reading “A master’s class in recognizing spiritual abuse and religious manipulations”
Category: Theology of divorce
PSA: The worst piece of advice I followed in my first marriage’s ending.
“Contend with your mother, contend, For she is not my wife, and I am not her husband; And let her put away her harlotry from her face And her adultery from between her breasts…” -Hosea 2:2, NASB While I do not mind the end result–the merciful divorce paving the way to my marriage to Mrs. DM–I am still … Continue reading “PSA: The worst piece of advice I followed in my first marriage’s ending.”
Worldly Wisdom says, “Own your part to the marriage’s breakdown.”
“And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery–unless his wife has been unfaithful.” -Matthew 19:9, NLT What did YOU contribute to your marriage’s breakdown?! Years ago, I used to believe this was a reasonable question to ask any divorced individual. After all, we are imperfect creatures. We … Continue reading “Worldly Wisdom says, “Own your part to the marriage’s breakdown.””
Mailbag: What is our role?
Pastor David, I did want to ask your opinion/insight on something else if you don’t mind. I am struggling with what our role is as Christians when it comes to this sexual sin that is permeating our society and destroying marriages. I don’t want to let my pain blind me from the truth of the … Continue reading “Mailbag: What is our role?”
Some Christians are more upset over divorce than adultery!
Thou shalt not commit adultery. -Exodus 20:14, KJV In some Christian circles, the only unpardonable sin in a marriage is filing for divorce. Everything else might be frowned upon but does not receive the vitriol from the pulpit that choosing divorce does. Such priorities are evidence of idolatry as this is not how God treats … Continue reading “Some Christians are more upset over divorce than adultery!”
Is the cheater seeking forgiveness or really just accountability?
Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin. Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the word of the Lord by doing this, your child will die.” -2 Samuel 12:13-14, NLT Is the cheater asking for forgiveness or simply seeking to avoid … Continue reading “Is the cheater seeking forgiveness or really just accountability?”
Public Service Announcement: Being “miserable” does NOT justify cheating!
Public Service Announcement: Being “miserable” is no excuse to cheat! What astounds me is how some pastors do not think this one through very well. They “joke” about their wives “putting up” with them even in the presence of a divorced pastor whose wife cheated on him. They either fail to see how insensitive that … Continue reading “Public Service Announcement: Being “miserable” does NOT justify cheating!”
Pastors, be more biblical and leave divorce off your vice list!
Pastors, let us strike “divorce” from our list of social ills and vices! Before going through a divorce myself, I probably never would have understood the importance of this simple move. I was not sensitized to the subtle shaming messages such inclusion sends. What I have noticed is how pastors and other Christian leaders will … Continue reading “Pastors, be more biblical and leave divorce off your vice list!”
God’s Deal-Breakers: Eschatological Lessons on Covenant
But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. -Romans 11:20b-21, NIV An often used argument against faithful spouses choosing divorce from a cheater is the analogy to God’s covenant with his people. … Continue reading “God’s Deal-Breakers: Eschatological Lessons on Covenant”
Re: Comment on “Divorce lessons from the Christmas Story”
I recently received a comment responding to my Christmas post where I share divorce lessons from the Christmas story (click here to read what I wrote). It is a thoughtful comment that I believe deserves some engagement from my end. So, I decided to pull it out and share my thoughts in response to it. … Continue reading “Re: Comment on “Divorce lessons from the Christmas Story””