Words can be powerful tools for good or they can be destructive weapons. When I first heard about the Duggar family situation, I was heart broken. I've said many times I hope their lives are the same off camera as they are on. They have the kind of values the world needs to learn and uphold.
But, the first words I heard in regard to Josh were "assault, molestation, and rape." Then, a Christian I respect said they had done something shady in turning their son over to the police. Of course, I was devastated, sick. I was told they chose to tell a policeman who is now in prison for pornography. Their side of the story is that he happened to be on duty when they turned their son in at the station. Where is innocent until proven guilty?
I spent days praying for that family and their heartache. Even Christians were assuming far worse than actually happened based on how it was reported in the news. No one I talked to, not even Christians, were willing to hear their side of the story. One women on television was literally screaming her condemnation. I regret to say I believed the worst, too.
Whoa!
Last night, Michelle and Jim Bob were interviewed by Megan Kelly on the "Kelly File." I'm grateful. Earlier in the evening, on "The Five" a clip was played-out of context of course-when Greg Gutfeld and Juan Williams piled on. Gutfeld was griping that the Duggars had no right claim media bias because of their faith. He was saying non-religious people like himself would be condemned for the same thing. Really? Hmmm. I seem to remember a President who was defended hotly when his sexual behavior came to light and his was not only far worse, but reportedly, still going on.
Mr. Gutfeld, I cannot begin to tell you how wrong you are. God holds His children to a much higher standard. Jesus said "everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Quite frankly, I don't understand how you can sit across from Kimberly Guilfoyle's naked thighs and avoid lustful thoughts. Jesus goes on to say, "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:18 and 20) If you don't know about the scribes and Pharisees, they were the uber-religious.
Let's look at the facts as presented by the parents last night. First of all, it wasn't assault, molestation, or rape, even though the media relishes calling it that. Well, the dictionary defines molestation as "to bother, interfere with, or annoy," and that's the primary definition. If that's the case, I'm molested every time I turn on the TV news. The lesser definition is "to make indecent sexual advances." But, I have to admit, I've always believed molestation was a far stronger word than that.
Second, Josh went to his parents at the age of 14 and confessed to what he'd done. Since his sisters were asleep when he touched them inappropriately OUTSIDE their clothing, this entire thing would never have come to light if Josh had not confessed. Josh acknowledged there were two incidents of touching skin and an incident of touching a child whose age was "in the single digits" as Megan Kelly so compassionately put it.
Apparently, he'd been fondling their breasts. If that's a crime, (it is sin) then almost every 14 year old boy in America needs to be hauled before a judge. I experienced many humiliating situations in junior high school. One neighbor boy about 9 or 10 was fascinated with breasts. Cousins have said and done inappropriate things to others as well as me. Even now, most of the boys I tutor are always digging at their crotch-not a pleasant sight.
Face it, their bodies are changing, Hormones coursing through their bodies are causing new and unfamiliar sensations. And, I challenge every single man to dredge up things he did at 14 he's hoping no one ever discovers. Let's not throw stones, folks. In Genesis 8:21, God says "The intention of man is evil from his youth."
David pleads with God in Psalm 25:7 "Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love, remember me."
I am not excusing Josh Duggar. America has become that festering, fetid sewer Moody spoke of more than 100 years ago. What he did was wrong and he knew it. That's the biggest difference between that young man and most of the youth of America. They're oblivious. Perhaps one reason I want to believe the family and yes, I do, is that when I was enduring the unwanted touching and fondling in school and before (I was well-endowed, even in junior high) any complaining was either ignored or I was blamed. It was a part of growing up or they did it because I was a tease. Those days do not hold the best memories. No, I was not a tease. They were boys who'd not yet learned to discipline themselves.
This morning as I was reading my Bible and I came across the verse, Psalm 17:10. "They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly." The Duggar parents have it right. Josh got his life right with the Lord and there's been no problem since. Even Megan Kelly quoted statistics that 85-90% of youthful offenders never repeat. But, it's the Duggar family's relationship with the Lord that gives me confidence. God promises to forgive when we repent. (I John 1:9) Unfortunately, some people don't. They'd rather use abusive words and point fingers. I'd rather stand before a holy God and give an accounting of my life as a Josh Duggar than some of those sanctimonious finger pointers.
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