"Building a Safe Haven: Embracing Truth as an Act of Love in the Christian Community"

Truths were exposed about a male leader of a church and town. Tis the season therefore for a multitude of sermons, thinkpieces,  and prayers...

Truths were exposed about a male leader of a church and town.

Tis the season therefore for a multitude of sermons, thinkpieces,  and prayers reminding us not to judge others.

There will be fewer calls for these three acts of love:

Encouraging troubled males to get therapeutic care for their forceful sexual urges that cross the boundaries of other unwilling participants.

1. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV): "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

This verse highlights that everyone faces temptations but assures that God provides a way for individuals to overcome them, hinting at the importance of seeking help and guidance during difficult times.

2. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

This passage emphasizes the role of self-control, which extends to respecting the boundaries of others. It suggests that individuals should strive to exhibit these qualities in their daily lives.

3. James 5:16 (NIV): "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

This verse encourages individuals to seek support and share their struggles with others, emphasizing the healing power of confession and prayer.

Encouraging everyone to be kind, loving and protective of women and children.

There are several scriptures that promote kindness, love, and protection towards women and children. Here are a few examples:

1. Matthew 19:14 (NIV): "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"

2. Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV): "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

3. Psalm 82:3-4 (NIV): "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

Encouraging everyone to respect one another's boundaries. 

1. Matthew 7:12 - "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

2. Romans 12:10 - "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

3. Ephesians 4:29 - "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

4. Philippians 2:3 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

5. 1 Peter 2:17 - "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor."

6. Galatians 5:14 - "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

7. James 4:11 - "Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it."

8. Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

9. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

10. 1 Corinthians 10:24 - "No one should seek their own good, but the good of others."

Doing All Things in Love

These things are loving. These things are acts of kindness. These things are even in the Bible. 

And yet, it is disappointing that we continue to be more consumed with protecting men's secrets than we are with protecting the safety of women and children. 

If we put in half this energy protecting women & children, it would be a safer world by sunrise tomorrow.

Protecting women & children from acts of sexual deviance is Christian love too.

Ending harm against women & children is #Christian love too.

Often it is necessary to bring truth to the light to make sure that happens or so the scripture says......

1. Ephesians 5:11: "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." 

This verse urges believers to expose and reveal the works of darkness, implying the need to bring truth to light for the greater good and to avoid participating in deceptive or harmful actions.

2. Proverbs 12:17: "Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit." 

This proverb encourages individuals to speak the truth and provide honest evidence, emphasizing the significance of truthfulness in promoting justice, righteousness, and the well-being of society.

3. John 8:32: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Jesus speaks these words, highlighting the liberating power of truth. 

Bringing the truth to light allows for freedom from deception, falsehood, and bondage, contributing to personal and communal well-being.

4. Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." 

These verses encourage believers to be a source of truth, manifesting it through their actions and shining light into the world. By doing so, they contribute to the better good by inspiring others and leading them to glorify God.

 Guided By The Light

These passages, among others, highlight the importance of bringing truth to light for the better good, promoting justice, righteousness, freedom, and glorifying God.

I will admit, I am not a fan of mean-spiritedness and bullying. I downright despise it.  

Ideally, we would be a better society so that when we find that someone in power is being harmful to the community, the people around that person would see to it that said person stops harming others immediately AND gets the therapeutic care and/or takes the appropriate accountability.  

But that is not who we are. That is not where we are.

And that is NOT the fault of the vulnerable nor victims of violence, abuse, rape, and stalking. Once the truth emerges, good people protect the vulnerable and seek expert help for the harmed. 

No more silence. 

No more darkness. 

No more harm.

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