Protecting our Children- Part 3
August 29, 2004
Dear Friends,
In this last installment on this topic, we hope to look at what the Bible says about the subject of child sexual abuse. The Bible covers a wide array of sexual situations, but APPEARS to offer little guidance on sexual misconduct with children. There is no statement that “thou shalt not sexually abuse children” in the Scriptures. If we look a little closer, however, we see that the Bible covers the subject quite adequately.
If we start with the basics, the God-ordained place for sexual relations is marriage. This being the case, any sexual relations outside of marriage is sinful. We probably are immediately drawn to the most common sins in this regard — heterosexual fornication or adultery. However, the prohibition against sex outside of marriage also includes many of the other sexual sins such as incest, bestiality and our topic, child sexual abuse. We could end our case here, but the Bible is even more specific.
Many of the cases of child abuse are men abusing young boys. The Bible’s prohibitions against homosexuality cover this. Leviticus 20:13 states very clearly how Yahweh feels about such activity. “The man who has intercourse with a man in the same way as with a woman: they have done a hateful thing together; they will be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” (NJB) This also covers women abusing young girls. The first chapter of Romans states “That is why God abandoned them to degrading passions: why their women have exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural practices; and the men, in a similar fashion, too, giving up normal relations with women, are consumed with passion for each other, men doing shameful things with men and receiving in themselves due reward for their perversion.” (Rom. 1:26-27)
God also specifically forbids incest. Sexual relations between a man and his sister, half-sister, daughter and granddaughter are all forbidden under the Law (Lev.18:6-18). This is important since 34% of child sexual abuse cases are perpetrated by members of their own family.
The Bible also forbids rape. “But if in the field the man finds the girl who is engaged, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lies with her shall die. But you shall do nothing to the girl; there is no sin in the girl worthy of death, for just as a man rises against his neighbor and murders him, so is this case.” (Deut. 22:25-26) Child sexual abuse is rape by default since the minor cannot give their consent. Whether they are psychologically, emotionally or physically coerced, it does not matter. An adult or even an older child has the advantage of power and knowledge over a younger child and as such can often elicit cooperation. The appearance of willingness on the part of the younger child does not negate the fact that it is rape.
In short, we see that the Bible forbids sex outside of marriage. It forbids homosexual relations. The Scriptures do not permit incest or rape. Therefore, if it is not already intuitively obvious that child sexual abuse is greatly offensive to our Heavenly Father, we have His testimony on it. We can also gauge how strongly He feels about it by seeing that in each case, the penalty for these crimes were death in the Old Testament.
Let this be the last word on the subject: “Among you there must be not even a mention of sexual vice or impurity in any of its forms, or greed: this would scarcely become the holy people of God!” (Eph. 5:3 NJB)
May God bless us and our children and give a special blessing to those children who are enduring such abuse. May he also bless those adults who are suffering the aftereffects of having been abused as children.
Have a great and a safe week!
Kyle
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