Ending Sexual Abuse of Children
A commentary by David Treybig
Pastor, United Church of God congregations
St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida
As a resident of the state of Florida, it was
distressing for me and many of my fellow Floridians to learn this past
weekend of more cases of sexual battery being committed against children.
Reports of sexual abuse of children have become all too common in our
state.
A report from Lake Worth, Florida, read: " An 8-year-old girl
was found alive Sunday at a landfill after a teen buried her under heavy
rocks in a recycling container" (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,157306,00.html).
Responding to an Amber Alert, about 100 law enforcement officers were
involved in a search that culminated in the rescue of the girl and charges
of attempted murder, sexual battery and false imprisonment being levied
against a 17-year-old boy. Sadly, this was not a single, isolated incident.
The same day, the Associated Press reported that a man in Port Charlotte,
Florida, 150 miles west of Lake Worth, had in separate incidents, kidnapped
two girls from their homes while their parents slept, taken each to a
construction site and raped them before sending them home. He threatened
to kill their families if they said anything. A 31-year-old man confessed
to kidnapping and raping the girls, ages 13 and 7.
Of course, sexual abuse of children is also occurring in places other
than Florida. But it is no consolation to understand that other states,
nations, communities, families and innocent children are suffering the
same kind of abuse. Civilized people all over the world detest this kind
of behavior and most governments strive to curb this despicable conduct
with varying types of punishment.
The news media reports the facts regarding these incidents but what
seems to be missing in public discourse is an explanation of why humans
commit sexual crimes and how these atrocities will be eradicated. How
did sexual sin begin? When will all children finally be safe? Surprising
to many, the Bible has answers to these questions.
Rejecting God as their source of wisdom and knowledge, the first humans,
Adam and Eve, embarked upon a way of life that led to misery for themselves
and all of humanity that has followed their example. Some of the consequences
of rejecting God and His standards include the inability to recognize
sexual immorality and the inability to control the selfish, lustful thinking
that leads to this kind of behavior (Romans 1:28-29). People who reject
God mistakenly believe that His instructions regarding sex are overly
restrictive instead of loving guidance to help us live happier, more
fulfilling lives.
After Adam and Eve's tragic decision, the ancient world quickly
formed its own gods, choosing its own way of life. When God began working
with the ancient Israelites, they were heavily influenced by the Egyptians
and Canaanites who practiced idolatry. But what made ancient idolatry
so enticing was undoubtedly the sexual immorality that accompanied it.
Slipping back into the lifestyle of ancient Egypt, the Israelites made
a golden calf when Moses delayed coming down from the mountain. After
offering sacrifices to the calf-idol they had made, the Israelites "sat
down to feast and drink at a wild party, followed by sexual immorality" (Exodus
32:6, Living Bible).
In giving the Ten Commandments, God called the ancient Israelites out
of the standards around them and into a holy way of life. The Second
Commandment, which forbids the making and worship of idols (Exodus 20:4-6),
was also a strike against the sexual immorality that accompanied idolatry.
In addition to the Second Commandment, God gave other instructions to
guide us in our sexual conduct and respect for others.
The ancient choice between God and sexual immorality is still relevant
today. While fewer people in this 21st century actually make and bow
down to idols, the lifestyle that accompanied idolatry remains. Not understanding
or practicing the laws that God gave us for our own good have a direct
connection to the sexual abuse we see today.
Thankfully, the Bible predicts a time when there will be no more idolaters,
sexual abusers, or people who don't accept God and His standards
(Revelation 21:8). This will be a time of peace, security and happiness
for all. Therefore, shouldn't each of us examine his own views
and behavior?
 Ask
yourself how well you understand and live by those guidelines that are
guaranteed to bring a better life now and a better world to come? For
a clear understanding of God's guidelines for human behavior
be sure to request, read online, or download now your free copy of our
booklet, The Ten Commandments.
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