I just finished watching season 7 of the reality TV series “Welcome to Plathville.”
Here are my thoughts on divorce (based on Scripture) and apologies.
First, let me say I love Lydia! Such a sweet Christian who loves God and radiates God’s love and joy! It was very sweet that Lydia and her now husband Zac Wyse saved their first kiss for their wedding day! That’s a topic for another time though.
If you watched the series’ seventh season, you’ll know what I’m referring to briefly in this post.
They shared Moriah’s letter of apology to Veronica and I thought Moriah’s apology was sufficient and nice and that Veronica should accept it. It’s okay to apologize via letter.
When Veronica apologized to the mom, Kim Plath, her apology seemed sincere to me, with Veronica looking Kim in the eyes and Veronica’s tone of voice. I wish Kim would not have questioned the authenticity and just told Veronica, “I forgive you.” The Bible teaches that God won’t forgive our sins unless we forgive other people their sins when they sin against us. Of course, we can forgive people without them ever apologizing, without their saying sorry or without their saying they were wrong. We just can, by God’s grace, and have to throughout our lives, because some people may never apologize. But we can be free.
For the most part, Kim did a very nice job of moderating the family discussion with Veronica. They talked openly and gave Veronica a chance to explain, apologize, express remorse, and try to resolve things. I really believe the Plaths were giving Veronica a chance to work things out and make amends with the family. I thought Veronica might actually do that to try to keep her then boyfriend Micah Plath. I was really disappointed that Kim said that to Veronica at the end, “I don’t really want anything further to do with you.” That wasn’t necessary to say. Kim could have rather said, “I’m sorry things worked out this way.”
Now on divorce. The Bible is very clear on divorce.
I have been hoping and praying that the Plath parents, Barry and Kim, would reconcile, forgive and not get divorced. It was sad and upsetting to see the divorce finalized. Barry seems like a loving, caring father and husband. I wish Kim could see what a great catch she already had in Barry. May the Lord open her eyes! It’s so sad to see the way she has treated him.
Jesus says about divorce in Mark 10: 11-12:
“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”
“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery,” Jesus says in Luke 16:18.
I Corinthians 7:10-11 says, “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.”
So clear. Right?
If a woman is in a dangerous, abusive situation for her and her kids, I think she needs to leave to protect herself and her children, but she can remain unmarried, which in many cases is safest for the children.
I was also hoping Ethan Plath and Olivia would work things out, reconcile and not get divorced, because of what the Bible teaches. If they thought that, according to the Bible, it’s either have each other or no one else, maybe they would have stayed together? Ethan said on the program that his friends and family sometimes tell him of things they see online, so I hope they tell him this!
One time when I was on a dating site, there were so many divorced men it was very sad. I got to the point where I flooded my online profile with verses on marriage and divorce hoping that God would speak to them. One of the verses I posted was Malachi 2:16 where God says that a man who divorces his wife, “does violence to the one he should protect” and says that God hates divorce. I’ve even encouraged divorced men to see if they can reconcile with their wife. Because of what Jesus teaches, I won’t date a divorced man.
So there you go. Many Christians will get persecuted for speaking what the Bible teaches on divorce from divorced people in the church. Quick way to make a lot of people angrier than they already were. I didn’t write it, but I think a husband and wife staying faithful to each other and keeping their vows is a great idea. The way God intended it to be.
One more story on forgiveness. I just watched a Disney episode of Lizzie McGuire where Lizzie has a falling out with her two best friends Gordo and Miranda. At the end of the show, Lizzie blurts out, “I’m sorry” and basically tells them whatever happened, whose ever fault it was, let’s make amends and be friends. They agree that in the future when they get mad, they should not stop talking with each other. Forgiveness on a Disney show put so simply. Sometimes that’s what you have to do.
If you haven’t asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, ask Jesus today to save you and forgive you of your sins. Give your life to God! Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose from the dead so you can have a relationship with God, know and experience His love, joy, peace, forgiveness and salvation and spend eternity in heaven with God. Happy Easter!
Hope to see you in Heaven one day!
May God’s rich blessings be upon you!
In the love of Christ,
Sarah
Who we hang out with can have a big influence on our lives. Who are your friends? Not only people you hang out with in person, but who are your “media” friends? Who you follow on social media, who you watch on TV, who you spend time with through books – fictional and real life people. The Bible says, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm,” (Proverbs 13:20).
In this interview with recording artist Clay Crosse, we discuss the importance of who you hang with as friends. Who you hang out with can actually be a matter of life or death.
“He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD,” (2 Chronicles 21:6).
The Importance of Who You Let Influence You and Whose Counsel You Take
“Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri. He too followed the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him to act wickedly. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing. He also followed their counsel when he went with Joram son of Ahab king of Israel to wage war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram; so he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds they had inflicted on him at Ramoth in his battle with Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziahson of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab because he had been wounded,” (2 Chronicles 22:2-6).
Notice it says “He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing.” He listened to his advisors and soon after was his downfall and death. Be careful whose advice you take and who you let advise you! Notice also it says “He too followed the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him to act wickedly.”
Don’t let rotten friends ruin your life! When speaker and author Jimmy Evans became saved, he knew he had to get away from his friends in order to continue in his faith and follow Christ.
For more on what kinds of friends to avoid and people to stay away from, please see Proverbs 1 and Proverbs 2. (The Bible actually gives us permission not to hang out with people!)
“My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, ‘Come along with us …’ do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths,” (Proverbs 1:10,11, 15).
Where’s that 1980’s ad “Just Say No” when you need it? It’s okay to say no.
For teenage girls and young adults looking to hang out with good friends, please see my post about some “great friends” in great Christian books for girls by author Robin Jones Gunn. God may work through these books to change their lives forever in positive ways! Remember, who we hang with in books, TV, online and movies can influence us (negatively or positively) and makes a difference!
Be sure to check out Clay Crosse’s book Dashboard Jesus. It’s a book for men but one of my all time favorites because it’s so true, practical and helpful for anyone’s walk with Jesus.
Soul Check TV is a Christian TV show featuring backstage interviews, family fun, behind-the-scenes, music videos & more! Host, Executive Producer and Editor Sarah Kittle works on the show with her family, including her Mom Lynette Kittle (Associate Producer) & sister Hayley, who are also featured on the show. Interview guests discuss their faith, music, relevant issues and more!
Soul Check TV exists to be a positive influence in the world, share the Gospel and encourage believers in their walk with Christ!
Soul Check TV aired on NRBTV, DirecTV Channel 378 & affiliate stations, 2011-2018. Watch episodes here on our website. Please select an episode from the menu below. Thanks so much for watching!
Soul Check TV 