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| Sexual Abuse of youth Within the church |
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Sexual Abuse among children has always been an issue in society; however, it has become an increasing problem that has caused much physical, mental and emotional damage. Because of the increase of sexual abuse among youth, more and more people are finding ways to help youth who have been sexually abused.
Sexual Abuse among the youth doesn’t care about age, race, religion, or financial status. It is one of the tools Satan uses in order to try to destroy our youth. Psalms 8: 2 says, “Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you; toddlers shout the songs that drown out enemy talk, and silence atheist babble.” (The Message Version) Satan uses sexual abuse among youth in and outside the church in order to sow seeds that would destroy their destiny. He wants to silence the mouth of our youth forever. However, if one will trust in God, his purposes will always prevail!
I can tell you from many discussions with people young and old that sexual abuse in the church is more common than mentioned. According to The Abel and Harlow Child Molestation Prevention Study, 93% of admitted Child Molesters claimed to be religious (Abel, G.G., & Harlow, N (2001). Even though we know that sexual abuse occurs with those who do not claim Christianity, the number of those claiming religion is extremely high. Many people claim to know what the bible says about sexual sin. However, when a sexual sin is broken by the one who preaches it; the media uses it as an avenue to find fault within the religious community. Satan uses this to destroy people’s belief in God.
Sexual immorality is an ever increasing issue not only in the world but in the church as well. Because of this increasing issue, sexual immorality has now even spilled over and is affecting the children in the body of Christ. We as members of the body of Christ have the responsibility to allow God to use us in becoming a solution to the ever growing problem through prayer and support.
Today, many churches try to keep sexual immorality hidden inside the house of God. We must recognize that God ultimately sees everything. He will bring to light those things that have been practiced in darkness. Fornication, adultery, homosexuality and molestation exist in many churches across the world. The body of Christ has a responsibility to make sure that none of these sins be named among us. The places where the body of Christ goes to worship should represent God’s presence and his holiness.
If there is a deep hurt within your heart and you don’t know how to let it go, then I’m here to tell you that God is a deliverer right now! Have you been sexually abused in the church by someone you trusted and it has leaded you down a road of promiscuity? Maybe you have been sexually abused by someone outside the church that you trusted. If so, then I want to pray this prayer with you because God is real and he is a deliverer! I know him to be a deliverer from my own experiences. God has brought me through the hurt, the pain, the rejection, the disappointment and has set me free. Now it is your turn to be free! Come on…. agree with me: Father God in the name of Jesus, I come to you as humble as I know how, offering up your beloved one that is reading this prayer right now. I ask that you come into their life and fill their inward being with your Holy Spirit. I thank you for erasing all of the hurt right now! You said in your word that by your strips we are healed! So I thank you for healing them now from every spirit of torment, withdrawal, depression, heaviness, paranoia, sexual impurity, addictions, retaliation, and un-forgiveness! God you said in Matthew 16:19 “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. So I command these spirits to come out right now by the authority of your son Jesus and command you Satan to loose your hold on this ones life right now! No Weapon that is formed against your child is able to prosper! I bind up every work of Satan on their behalf and loose the power and presence of your Holy Spirit to come and overshadow them with your glory! They shall be the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. God I release your victory over their lives right now and they are free to praise you, free to forgive, and free to let go in the name of Jesus! My sisters and my brothers, I am in agreement with you concerning this prayer and know that God has truly set you free. All you have to do is stand in agreement with the word of God over your life and you will stay free.
If you have read this article and know someone who has experienced any type of sexual abuse and this has been helpful let me know. I have written a book on this subject and you are able to purchase it on my website for more information on how to recover from the sexual abuse within the church and how to prevent it. You will also gain skills on how to minister to others who have been sexually abused in the church. Just go to http://outskirtspress.com/sexualabuseofyouthwithinthechurch Be Blessed!!!
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Dana |
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March 25, 2008 at 3:59pm |
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| Thank you for adding this information. |
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Dana |
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March 25, 2008 at 4:09pm |
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I think I'll add my story. I started not to, but...Short version...
I was a pregnant teen. My father was a pastor so I was aware of problems behind the scenes. But never did I see what I experienced at 18. I had just had my baby, unwed. A ride was arranged for my by my parents with the music minister to a V-Day party. He had to "Stop by the church to pick up music". While there, he wanted to have sex with me and tried to force himself on me. Thank goodness no rape happened, but could have if he would have wanted to. There was no one around but us. This was the last thing in my mind that I expected to happen.
I went to my pastor's wife and told her what happened. She said, "What do you expect? You just had a baby and you aren't married." I was crushed!!! She went with me to tell my parents. By that point I'm learning that I'm the one who is getting blamed.
Long story short. The deacons met with him and he kept his job. I was not even allowed in the meeting to present my side. Yet, I was grilled by a deacon. I wasn't believed.
As adults, we need to step up and realize that things like this do happen in our churches and our children need support and counseling. |
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Dana |
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March 27, 2008 at 9:21pm |
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| Thanks for adding your link!!! |
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Gene |
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March 28, 2008 at 7:49pm |
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| Thanks for your testimony and stance on this issue! |
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Brent |
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March 31, 2008 at 5:30am |
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| Thanks for your input on this. I can't understand how an authority figure such as a minister can stoop to sexual aggression on a child. It makes me sad. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for being hypocrites. |
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Cheryl |
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March 31, 2008 at 5:35am |
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| Thank you for your addition, I can identify with this. |
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| Thanks guys for you supporting this article because many in the church do tend to shy away from this subject but God is truly wanting to bring healing and deliverance within the church in this area. Thanks Dana for your personal testimony, I know it has helped many! |
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| its a big amen to this article |
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Thanks woman of laughter, to God be the glory! |
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My daily trauma( which I am reading this after posting a miracle). I lived with a step father who raped me everyday from the age of 2-7. I also was molested by my mothers female friend for the same time period. And I was raped again in college by my bestfriends uncle. I had been cornered by a bishop when I was 13 during a church conference and my uncle came to get me, what was funny is that my uncle knew what this pastor did, that's why he came out. I know people who live with this church abuse and see their abuser sunday after sunday. I live in a family where my mother, aunt, cousin, myself, brother and others yet to say who live with this abuse. The seeds this abuse plants is future murder and self- destruction. God has and is still healing me amongst other things that I endured. You are the first Minister I know of who has dealt with this subject. Most of the guys I know in church who are gay--- were molester by a church member. More then half of my"street" friends say they lost their virginity to a babysitter( they dont call it rape but it was). Please spread this message, so many people send their kids to church and leave and not knowing that in the church is where these people love to hide.
thank God for healing |
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| Nia you are very brave and bold for sharing your story! Thanks for stepping out to tell it! |
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| Thanks for all you guys comments |
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