Failures of Community - Sexual Misconduct

Ephesians 5:3

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

The last few months in the Metroplex have revealed quite a few failures by church leadership in the area of sexual misconduct. Our church history is also stained by sexual misconduct (see this video for my thoughts). It is infuriating that men and women who have been given leadership in the church have chosen to abuse it for their own pleasure and pursuits. 

Paul is clear in Ephesians 5 that this should not even be named among you. This accusation should not even be thought of in light of you. The temptation of sexual promiscuity is all around. Whether you are seeking it or not, images, enticements, and invitations are being made to pursue what is outside of what is best. 

The stranglehold that sexual sin can have on your life is not foreign to me nor to many close to me. It is a vicious cycle of shame, guilt, fulfillment, and desire. It is always desiring and never satisfying. 

Today, I want you to pray for those who have been hurt or harmed by the church through sexual misconduct. 

Pray for those boys and girls taken advantage of. 

Pray for the victims of abuse of power and position. 

Pray for healing. Pray for help. 

Pray for them to know that God is love even though what they experienced was not. Pray for the victims of sexual misconduct today.