***UPDATED 09.21.09***
I have decided to take down the article that Jody had written. When I first received it I thought it would be a good idea to post it here because I believed it had some value for those who might read it. But after a week or so, I decided it would be wise to remove it for a couple of reasons.
First, I do not have the time to moderate comments on this post. This is naturally an emotionally charged issue that many people have strong opinions about. On top of that, the spiritual principles that relate to this situation are obviously important as well. I just don’t have time to thoughtfully and responsibly respond to each of the comments as they deserve.
Second, I was afraid that this might become a distraction to the gospel message, if it had not become such already. Paul told the brethren in Corinth that he refrained from doing something that was proper (receiving support from them) in order to “cause no hindrance to the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:12). Even if it was appropriate to post Jody’s article, with everything going on, especially his recent “not guilty” plea, it was a distraction to the valid points he was making, and perhaps indirectly, the rest of the material contained on this site.
For those reasons, I decided to remove his article. I hope you can understand the reasons behind my decision.
I would encourage you to remember the important lessons from this though – don’t flirt with sin. It can destroy your life. It can cause immense damage to the lives of those around you. Even if the sin you are tempted with or are currently caught up in is not like what Jody has done, remember that all sins separate us from God. If you have sin in your life, get rid of it. The momentary pleasure it can provide is not worth the consequences and punishment that come with it.
