The Bible and Sexual Abuse

Abuse, Harassment, or Misconduct, no matter what you call it, God had something to say about it long ago.  I am amazed at the current flood of powerful, influential men who have been outed as to their egregious and once hidden and protected behavior.  Thankfully, our culture still respects the concept that an individual is to be offered protection from the predatory practices of those who are in position to coerce one into non-wanted intimate activity, and to offer justice to those who have been violated.  We rightfully respect and support those who have been victimized, traumatized and objectified.  

Unsurprisingly God’s standards are higher than our cultural consensus.  In many of the well-publicized cases, the abuser has claimed that all activity was “consensual.”  While that may be an attempt to save one from legal peril it does not save one from the burden of sin before a Holy God.  To be brief, God makes it very clear in the Bible that sexual activity is his gift to mankind and is to be practiced within the protection and blessing of marriage between a man and woman.  When channeled in the right direction our God-given passion can bring a loving couple together in guilt-free intimacy that not only strengthens the bond with a spouse but builds healthy families that build healthy communities that build healthy societies. 

Maybe it is time to say what God had said all along.  Obedience to His standards of sexual practice is to be proclaimed as the norm, not the exception, in a society that wishes to protect all of its constituents.

Following are a few portions of Scripture for your consideration.

Blessings,

Jesse Waggoner

2 Timothy 2:22

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

Colossians 3:5

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Exodus 20:14

You shall not commit adultery.

Proverbs 5:18

Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,