Bubble Christianity

(Photo Credit)

Well, unsurprisingly another scandal has hit.This time being one that ruffles our Christian feathers before we shake it away. Josh Duggar, a star from the show 19 Kids and Counting who was already discovered to have molested his siblings as a teenager–has been caught in the big Ashley Madison hack.

In case you aren’t aware, Ashley Madison is a dating website for people who are married and want to have an affair. I can’t even make this stuff up. Millions of users were caught in the hack, so it’s definitely not just Duggar who is involved.

I have a strong hunch that there were several hundred–if not thousands–of Christians who were on that site. I also bet a good portion of them are women. Why? Because sins such as lust, adultery, and pornography are struggles that anyone can face–devout Christian or not; male or female.

If you don’t believe me, then go to fightthenewdrug.org or covenanteyes.com and look at the facts and statistics. Why is sexual purity and the struggle for it never really discussed in church? In fact, why are all of the other “hot button” issues like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and modesty not ever talked about?

Sure we may throw in a generic sermon here and there or give counseling when an individual is ravaged by their sin/addiction/mental illness, but this is not enough.

I didn’t grow up in church. My parents taught me about God, and I attended services occasionally. However, I was probably like the majority of American kids who identified as Christian. I was a luke-warm believer. Anyway, I saw firsthand the destruction and devastation that happened to my fellow peers in school, and even I, like everyone else, could not escape the clutches of sin.

People are not perfect, and unless you live in a bubble your whole life, you will sin and see sin around you. The whole bubble thing didn’t work out for Josh Duggar either. In fact, it looks like it backfired on him.

Although we are not supposed to be of the world, we are in it (John 15:19). Unless you’re reading this from another planet, then most likely you know just how broken this world can be.

It’s the church’s responsibility to not ignore some of the most difficult and devastating sins such as pornography. Church is not a place where a bunch of perfect people go to congregate and drink coffee. 

 And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Luke 5:30-32 NKJV).

I’m not saying that we should harp on people and try to save them from everything they do, but we need to create safe havens in our sanctuaries and small groups where people can stop feeling like they are secret black sheep of sin.

If you look at the Bible, Jesus and the other apostles all spoke of difficult subjects such as adultery, modesty, gluttony, and much more. They didn’t do it to judge anyone or to pass out a pamphlet so the subject was covered.

If we really want people to heal and live the best life that God intended for them, then we must start talking about these issues and start seeing all people for who they really are–loved by the Most High God. 

Once we start loving our brothers and sisters the way Jesus does, our motivations will become pure and the Holy Spirit can move in to change all of our lives.

Thanks for reading! Please feel free to comment and share 🙂

******UPDATE ON OLIVIA*******

My friend Olivia who has been in the hospital is doing so much better! Her breathing tube is out and she’s stabilizing. Hopefully she can go home soon. Please keep praying! Thanks <3 See my post on Olivia here.