JESUS SPEAKING
“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offenses come.” (Matthew 18: 5 – 7)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
Young children are naturally innocent, faithful and pure. They share a closeness with God that even adult Christians are encouraged to emulate. Some responsible parents today attempt to shelter their children from the corruption of this world; thus ensuring their proper development. And yet there are those demonically depraved individuals who are like filthy beasts; they take pleasure in defiling the purity of little ones. These twisted people are the enemies of God; thus Jesus expresses the severity of the punishment that awaits anyone who harms a child.
I grew up in a home with a stepfather who was a child molester. As a boy scout troop leader and respected lawyer in our small community, he was able to hide his evil deeds for many years. He molested family members, friends, and acquaintances alike. He was skilled at robbing children of their innocence. As these victims grew into adulthood, most of them struggled with life; some turned to alcohol, some to drugs, and some to other forms of deviant behavior. Many suffered from psychological disturbances, relationship difficulties, and poor life outcomes. And yet, while his evil deeds went unseen by most, they weren’t hidden from God. The Lord’s wrath was being stored up against him. (Truly it would have been better “if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”) One day his entire life became a nightmare. He was arrested at his law office and led away in handcuffs. Having been publicly shamed, everyone he had ever known had abandoned him. His freedom, his family, his occupation, and his privileges in life were taken away. His once large home was replaced by a tiny prison cell; his bed became a cot. His suits were worthless, as he would never again wear anything other than prison issued attire. The judge sentenced him to serve decades behind bars. We later learned that he was likely being violated and abused by other inmates. The very atrocities he had visited upon little children were being visited upon him. He eventually died alone in that place. I am sharing this account as a warning to others. (Having become a Christian, I can only hope that he gave his life to Jesus Christ and was reborn before his death. I have forgiven him completely, because God has given me a new heart.) However, his life, his sins, and his eventual punishment represents a powerful example of how God’s wrath is poured out upon those who harm children.
Today, those who are Christian must aspire to protect children from the evil influences of this world. We must exercise caution and behave righteously in the presence of little ones; setting a good example without causing them to stumble. We must be mindful of what we watch, of how we speak, and how we act. If we choose to live as Christ lived, our children will grow and develop into believing adults. Children are special, and they have the Lord as their defender. We must tread carefully as we seek to edify them, build them up in the faith, and protect them from evil.
“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You now and stand in the light of Your divine presence. You are a just and righteous God. We pray for those who are lost; may you enter their hearts and convict them and transform them. Please continue to protect our children from those who would abuse them or destroy their faith in Your Son. Also Lord, help us to be good examples for the little ones in our lives. May they see Your goodness in us and choose what is right. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!
Jesus Speaks 