![\"Tiger\"](\"https:\/\/corehealingfromtrauma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Tiger-300x220.png\" "\\"Tiger\\"")
\n\tRecent news exposing the secret life of Ravi Zacharias* is heartbreaking, a grim reminder of what we already know: Christian leaders can fail. It\u2019s time to focus more on God and less on people and avoid putting any person on a pedestal. There’s no excuse for abuse: anyone entrusted with caring for vulnerable humans (including all<\/em> of us) needs to consistently rely on God instead of being driven by human impulses and instincts.<\/p>\n Currently, sexual violence<\/strong> (SV) is at pandemic levels<\/strong> throughout the world. According to the CDC:<\/p>\n Churches, civic organizations, sports teams, and schools<\/strong> are a few of many places predators go to find victims<\/strong>, intuitively aware people are open to people in power.\u00a0Like hunters in the animal kingdom, sexual predators have a seemingly insatiable appetite<\/strong>. \u00a0A single predator can have hundreds or even thousands of victims. Eerily able to detect human vulnerabilities, predators steadily, stealthily groom victims for their own selfish desires. After being groomed, manipulated, and coerced, victims often numb emotions and suffer in silence, alone, without hope.\u00a0<\/p>\n For decades, I\u2019ve been trying to awaken the church<\/strong> to perils within it, grateful for leaders who are proactively reducing the risk of trauma by offering healing groups, training, and hope. Others, when I mention the need to address sexual abuse, look at me patronizingly and ask (without listening), \u201cOh, you must have been abused?\u201d (Actually, no, I wasn\u2019t.) But our God, the Good Shepherd, compels me to help the helpless and address complex trauma-related concerns with compassion and skill. His love has driven me to write four books<\/strong> (two novels and two counseling workbooks<\/a>) designed to clarify trauma\u2019s ramifications while offering practical ways for survivors to heal.<\/p>\n Perhaps Ming, the legendary New York City tiger, can help us understand<\/strong> how a human leader could take advantage of a vulnerable person. When Ming\u2019s owner, Antoine Yates, went to the hospital with bite marks he claimed were from his pit bull, medical personnel sent authorities to Antoine\u2019s Harlem apartment to check out the pet, certain the bites were from something much larger than a dog. There they discovered Ming, Antoine\u2019s full-grown Bengal tiger. Never the tame \u201ccat\u201d he once seemed to be, Ming did what predators do\u2014attack<\/strong>, ready to devour. But Ming was a wild animal; people have a choice to live differently, treating one another with dignity and respect<\/strong>. In fact, 2 Timothy 2:22 teaches: run away from youthful lusts, <\/em>desires that never mature. We’re to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace…\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n When Adam and Eve rebelled against God<\/strong>, they opened a metaphorical Pandora\u2019s Box, releasing every form of evil<\/strong>, including SV. The question of why some people become sexual predators is a complex one. Whenever we choose to rely on human instincts<\/strong>, following selfish desires, our behaviors can deteriorate into those described in Galatians 5:19-20<\/strong>: Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. <\/em><\/p>\n Do you recognize potentially addictive behaviors in verses 19 and 20? With addictions, people develop tolerance to the behavior, substance, etc., craving more of whatever behavior or substance is chosen instead of God. And we can choose to listen to God instead of human desires<\/strong>. As God told Cain, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it<\/em>. When God commands us to rule over <\/em>our impulses,<\/em> He provides strength to do it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Galatians 5:22-24 says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control\u2026and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.<\/em> When we yield our desires to God, He transforms us!<\/strong><\/p>\n We can trust God for strength and wisdom<\/strong> amidst daily challenges and concerns:<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve experienced sexual violence or any other form of trauma (like hearing about a fallen leader), please accept my invitation<\/strong> to study Core Healing from Trauma<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n *For additional information on the Ravi Zacharias tragedy,\u00a0 watch Josh McDowell share his perspective<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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