And I say, especially with his children, because they don't have the maturity to understand that God did not cause this. Too many times young children want to question, "Why does God allow this to happen to Christians?" And that leads to "I hate God!" Or, "Maybe there isn't God." And, then they often turn to their peers who don't reason any better and they console one another with things that can be highly detrimental to their well being.

I noticed in the interview when he was groping to say something to his family that he called his daughter by name … she would be the same age as the girl he had the affair with … and seemed to especially ask for her forgiveness and say he loved her. He had already said the girl was a "family acquaintance." So, just think what his 13 year old daughter is dealing with … an almost impassable "mountain"! Will she climb over it? Only time will tell. But, only time will tell for the whole family. We must all pray fervently for them. And, anyone who is in a position to help them in any way, do so.

I would like to address what Jody said about the relationship he had with this young 13 year old girl. And, I'm going to say for this point only, that it does not matter about the age of the ones involved. He said it started with a "friendly relationship" that included talking and texting by cell phone. He also said she was more mature looking and acting than that of a girl her age. What that says is that he was attracted to her in the early going … she appealed to him … and, because of that appeal, he wanted to spend time with her alone. She could have been his own age and this would have been wrong! He was putting himself square into temptation!

Remember, when our Lord taught his disciples how to pray, He not only taught them to pray for the Father to forgive their debts or sins, but also to deliver them not into temptation, but deliver them from the evil one (Matt. 6: 12-13). If you are praying for God to keep you from temptation, you are not likely to walk right into it, or at least not wallow in it.

Jody also talked about his spirituality during these months that this relationship was building. He said he was NOT STUDYING OR PRAYING. That was his conscience at work. It would not let him open up God's word or pray to God when he in fact was living a lie and lusting after a woman that was not his wife. He could look at God. He could not talk to Him. What he was lusting after came first in his life.

I say this as a warning to all … to myself … to other brothers and sisters … to other preachers of the gospel. You must know that knowing the word of God will not put an invincible shield around you. The key is to continue … to continue to study and to pray and to do what you are studying and praying about. As Paul says: "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong" (1 Cor. 16: 13). It is hard to get in trouble when you are doing that. Jody stopped doing that. No, he didn't stop preaching, but I can tell you, he was preaching "canned" sermons. It was just a rote thing.

When Judah (not Jody now) lusted after the things of the world, they stopped looking at the Law and stopped seeking God … they stopped praying. Both of their good kings towards their end, Hezekiah and Josiah, had to find and bring the book of the Law back out and have it read to the people. Both prayed fervently to God, and both found favor with God. We must learn from them, the good and the bad, as Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 10: 6, 11. Not only from them, but from Jody and others who we know. And, yes, even from our own sins … if we but look back.

After viewing Jody's interview, which was a confession to all, we should pray for his forgiveness. We should pray for Shannon Lusk, and his daughter Holly, and his two sons. But, we should also let this build our faith and our understanding at how easy it is for a "friendly" relationship with the opposite sex that is "unguarded" by our spouse … that leaves our spouse out … can lead to destruction! As you said, Edwin, "we need to establish healthy boundaries" with our spouses. (I like how you put that.) We need to watch out! Watch out for the signs … have you stopped praying and studying? Are you hiding from God?

"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren" (Jas. 1: 13-16).

Edwin … thanks for your blog and for allowing us to blog with you. This is my first time to blog, but this tragedy brought me out. I hope I've said something that might be helpful to someone … including myself. Keep up the good work, my brother!

By the way, Jody has released a statement to WBKO. I believe that is a television station in Bowling Green, KY.

http://www.wbko.com/home/headlines/58125642.html

It's interesting that Paul points out yet another way that our sin can lead others to sin. When we commit a sin that it difficult for others to forgive, then Satan can employ yet another "device". He can cause another to stumble by being unable, or unwilling rather, to forgive the one who sinned, thereby bringing them into judgement. (Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.)

Gene, I think you are getting at something. Hurt is a problem and many times the external "anger" is really just a mask for hurt. The reality is I don't think the church can actually do anything about a person's hurt. That is an individual journey. What the church can do is simply provide a safe atmosphere for the hurting and point them to Jesus the healer of all hurts.

Those of us who have hurt people, must apologize, seek forgiveness, and then be patient as those we hurt work through their hurt. The greater the hurt, the harder this whole process will be.

One other thought that came to mind about this is that maybe we are using the wrong word, maybe it's not so much "anger" as it is "hurt". On the one hand, anger is specifically addressed in scripture, on the other (and correct me if I'm wrong) hurt is never addressed as being sinful. Perhaps it's the hurt that is taking so long rather than the anger that it appears to be.