The Bible and Sexual Misconduct

Note: Alan is taking some well-deserved vacation time this week.  In his absence, this week's blog is written by the BibleQuestions.Org webmaster, Jeff.

Introduction. In the United States over the last several years, there are growing public allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, or assault committed by well-known men.  The alleged perpetrators come from all walks of life, including politicians (Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Al Franken, Roy Moore), entertainers (Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein), reporters (ABC/Mark Halperin, NPR/Michael Oreskes), and even religious leaders (Catholic clergy, Mormon Warren Jeffs).  Social media is buzzing with the new Twitter hashtag "#MeToo" encouraging the sharing of personal stories of alleged sexual misconduct.

These allegations often result in public condemnation by the news media, loss of reputation, and ruined careers.  Less frequently do these allegations result in criminal charges and ensuing convictions in a court of law.
 
How does God feel about all this?  How should we view these events from a Biblical perspective?  What useful scriptures apply in cases like these?

The Bible and Human Sexuality.  The Bible is abundantly clear – God created mankind (including sexuality Gen. 2:18-24) and provides loving instructions for the benefit of both individuals and society.  Consider:

• "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.  . . . It is good for a man not to touch a woman.  But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. " (1 Cor. 6:18-7:2)
• "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral [fornicators] and adulterous." (Heb. 13:4)
• "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY '; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matt. 5:27-28)
• “For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do – living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.” (1 Peter 4:3-4) (NIV) 

The Golden Rule.  As is often the case, Jesus' statement of the "Golden Rule" applies to those would force their sexual intentions on others:

• "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them . . ." (Matt. 7:12)

Wouldn't it also apply to those allegedly wronged and how they should try to deal with the misconduct?
 
The Golden Rule has special meaning for people in positions of power and authority:

• "Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him." (Eph. 6:8-9)
• "But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven." (Col. 3:25-4:1)

Dealing with Sin.  As a very practical book, the Bible recognizes people will do things to others that they should not.  How should those who are sinned against respond?  Consider the wisdom expressed in the process of personal sins and congregational discipline:

• "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector." (Matt. 18:15-17) (NIV)
• "Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses." 1 Tim. 5:19
• Evils of gossip and slander - Lev. 19:16; Rom. 1:29; 2 Cor. 12:20; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; 2 Tim. 3:3; Titus 3:2.

Even the 14th amendment to the US Constitution reflects the need for multiple witnesses and a presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law, not the court of public opinion, or the court of social media.
 
Ultimate Justice.  Sometimes these allegations are made years after they occurred.  This illustrates the truism that "sin will find you out", if not in this life, then in the Judgment Day.  But it is also a warning to those who bear false witness as well:

• “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8) (NIV)
• "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:10)

Conclusion.  Since the 1960's, there has been a pronounced trend toward sexual liberation as well as a denial of external authority.  "If it feels good, do it."  "I don't need anyone telling me what do to."  "There is no God (and no ultimate standard of right and wrong)." "Man is just an evolved animal, so I'm only doing what comes naturally." "To the victor belong the spoils."
 
Should it be surprising that such sentiments, encouraged by the entertainment industry and the media, have contributed to the somewhat sex-crazed society in which we now live?  Or that people can say whatever they want in spreading rumors and allegations?  Would that our society still acknowledged the foundational principles, rights, and responsibilities enshrined in the Bible.  Or as Proverbs says:

• "Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people." (Prov. 14:34) (NLT)