Let the Holy Book speak! Jessa Duggar posted a poignant Bible passage to her Instagram account on Sunday, Aug. 23, in what might possibly be a nod to the string of sins her older brother Josh has confessed to these past few months.
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth,” the passage reads. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanest us from all sin.”
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The 22-year-old, who is currently pregnant with her first child with husband Ben Seewald, has remained otherwise mum in the days since news broke of Josh’s infidelities.
On Thursday, Aug. 20, Josh admitted to his transgressions and called himself “the biggest hypocrite ever” after his name turned up when hackers released stolen customer data from cheating site AshleyMadison.com earlier in the week.
“I am so ashamed of the double life that I have been living and am grieved for the hurt, pain and disgrace my sin has caused my wife and family, and most of all Jesus and all those who profess faith in Him,” he wrote in a statement on the family’s website.
While his parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, reacted with sadness, writing that their “hearts were broken” upon learning of Josh’s infidelity, the Family Research Council, where Josh previously held a position as executive director, was less sympathetic.
“Last night we learned from online reports about allegations concerning Josh Duggar and then read his confession today,” Family Research Council president Tony Perkins wrote in a statement. “We are grieved by Josh’s conduct and the devastating impact of his pornography addiction and marital unfaithfulness.”
“Our hearts hurt for his family, and all those affected by Josh’s actions,” he continued. “His deceitful behavior harms his family, his friends, his former coworkers, and the cause he has publicly espoused. Those of us who advocate for family values in the public square are held to a higher standard, and Josh’s failures serve as a painful reminder of the destructive effects of not living with integrity. We are praying for the family.”
Earlier this year, Josh also confessed to molesting five girls in 2002, when he was 14 years old. Anna forgave him, but has not yet spoken out publicly on the matter.
