The list of organized churches and associated parachurch organizations dealing with revelations of sexual, spiritual, child abuse, and more is unfortunately too long to recount.  Adult survivors and children deeply hurt by these abuses often have the similar stories, if they ever reveal the trauma: stories revealing that their cries for help were ignored, dismissed, rejected. In too many cases, Christians have acted to protect leaders, churches, institutions, rather than the vulnerable and victimized.

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For many, church etiquette frowns upon identifying any denomination as being dishonorable to others in the Body of Christ, as if the reputation of the denomination and its members surpasses our call to righteousness.  1 Corinthians 6:9 – 10 asks, Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Adult survivors and children impacted by sexual exploitation and spiritual abuse have experienced unrighteous ones who are in fact fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, and spiritual thieves.  The abusers have and are operating as covetous, revilers of truth, depending upon extortion and threats to continue hurting the very little ones Yeshua corrected the disciples for trying to keep them from Him in Matthew 19:14, saying “But Jesus said, “Allow the children, and do not forbid them to come to me, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Are we to hate the men and women, created in the image of GOD, who have done these horrible things?  No. Harboring hatred in our hearts toward any person or people dishonors what Yeshua commands of us in Luke 6:27, But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.  This call to love is an agape love, and is only possible through the power and fruit of Holy Spirit.

Are we to protect the Christian “brand” or leader or church by continuing to only passively address the Enemy’s work through them to kill, still and destroy children? No.  We all must confess and turn from wicked ways, including passively or actively allowing structures and systems of abuse. In 1 Corinthians 14:33, the expected wholeness of GOD’s Ecclesia made clear, for God is not a God of unruliness but of shalom. As in all the congregations of God’s people.  In His wholeness there can be no abuse.

Let’s pray:

Father, forgive us for any way that we have knowingly or unknowingly allowed abuse to occur in our churches, community organizations and homes, because of pride or because we have idolized people.

Give us discernment about everyone we are entrusting with children and the wisdom to know how to act as You reveal wolves in our midst.

Teach us to love the abuser as You love them, even as we do all that is necessary to remove them from the assembly according to Your precepts.

Strengthen us to judge rightly, but to refrain from condemning men and women to hell as if it is within our authority to do so in this age.

We ask that You render justice for every adult survivor and child who has suffered abuse in churches, para-church organizations, camps and other Christian-branded entities.

Fill our hearts with lovingkindness and tender mercy toward the wounded ones, who will soon accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

Does this article resonate with your church experience? Is there anything we may pray with you about? Is your church truly prepared for prodigals to return home to the Father’s love and into righteous family relationship?

Mavourene began full-time ministry in 2014, campaigning for the Howard County Public Schools Board of Education in 2017/18 and the Maryland Senate in 2022. A life-long learner about the intersections of faith with international relations and domestic policy, Mavourene is actively engaged in intercession for family, government, education, and religion.  She releases prophetic insight at Judgment Begins in the House. Photo Credit: rdegrie/Getty Images via Canva Pro.