What Went Wrong?

By John Weaver

May 1, 2021

I wrote an article recently about sexual predators in the church. Tears came as I read some of the testimonies of abuse. How incredibly sad. 

I have long asked God, “Why is there so much sexual sin among the plain people?”  Seemingly, among the most conservative ones,  the problem is even worse. Why Lord? Why? I believe that God showed me the answer. I welcome your thoughts.

I know from my own experience that an undisciplined mind is where sins of a sexual nature begin.  (I never touched anyone inappropriately.) Everything good or bad, starts in the mind. If we as much as look at a woman to lust after her, we are guilty of adultery. All done in the mind.

In Romans 12,  we are told...not just told, we are earnestly implored (beseech), to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God... and to not be conformed to the world, but to be transformed, by the RENEWING Of OUR MIND. It’s all about our mind. 

As I was growing up in very conservative groups, I heard a lot about not being like the world, meaning anyone who was not part of our groups. I cannot remember ever hearing any teaching on the last part of verse two. It was always the first part, “be not like the world.” It was never about being transformed, or having a new mind. 

I believe that God showed me what He thinks when people take His clear instructions in scripture, and reinterpret them in another way. It is what the Pharisees did. It is what many of the ultra conservative groups do as well. 

They recite, “Be not conformed to this world,” but then ignore the rest of the verse and insert a whole list of do’s and don’ts that are supposed to keep a person from the world, focusing on dress and all kinds of outward appearance. This is all done with the same unregenerate mind. God is not pleased.

Jesus had harsh words for the Pharisees for focusing on the outward appearance, when the inside was full of corruption. That is the way I grew up. Sadly, the same teaching continues. Not surprisingly, the same results continue as well.

In Romans chapter 1, we read of people who become vain in their imaginations (mind) and their foolish hearts were darkened. God gave them up to unclean-ness through the lusts of their own heart.

Much more is in that chapter about men who knew God but did not glorify Him as God. It says that God gave them over to a reprobate mind. This is talking about homosexuality, but it is not limited to that.  It is also about other forms of sexual sin. 

God said that in the new covenant, He will write His laws in our hearts, and put them in our minds. He takes away the heart of stone and gives a new soft heart of flesh.  I believe that the epidemic of sexual sin in many groups today is the result of not pursuing the new heart and mind that God promised to us, and instead focusing on the outward appearance, making laws and rules to supposedly combat the “world,” while allowing Satan access to the mind.  The results are tragic and disastrous. 

We are never a match for Satan with our corrupt old nature.  It takes a new nature within—the new heart and mind that God freely gives to those who earnestly seek Him. And then, we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.   (Philippians 4:13)  Amen!

 

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