*Just some food for thought*.
You know how there are some things that you think are a given until you read that they’re not? That’s how I felt today when I read an article about the Internet dating site, Match.com (officially) removing sex offenders from its list.
OK, is it just me or does it seem like with all of the questions on those sites, it would seem like, “Have you molested a child or raped a person?” would be *top* on the priority list?!? And yet, 16 years in and only after the sexual assault of one of its clients/members has something been done. In two to three months, a screening process will be implemented.
Sex offenders. Hmph.
I Corinthians 10:32 (NKJV) tells us to give no offense (“…either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God.”). And to believers, especially, 2 Corinthians 6:3 (NKJV) says, “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.” *We give no offense in anything that our service to others may not be blamed.*
The world sees sex offense as extreme acts of violation: sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape, etc. But in God’s eyes, I think a lot of us can admit that we have been on his “sex offenders list” before. I Corinthians 6:13 (NKJV) says, “Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” Our bodies are for the Lord. I Corinthians 6:18 (NKJV) says, “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” Sexual immorality causes us to sin against our own selves. And, a verse that I think isn’t quoted nearly as much as it should be in re: to this topic is Acts 15:28-29 (NKJV): “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.”
IF YOU KEEP YOURSELF FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY, YOU WILL DO WELL.
*That* made think about an article that I read earlier last week. It was a study that stated that married women are happier than those shackin’ up. Their reasoning was because society approves more of espoused relationships (which kinda makes me think of Proverbs 3:4 (NKJV): “And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.”). My mind, again, went to Scripture: “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4-NKJV) I’ve stated on more than one occasion that one of my favorite quotes on sin is by a man by the name of Elbert Hubbard: “We’re not punished for our sins, but by them”, and that marriage vs. living together article seems to be a blarring reminder of that because those of us who honor the Word know that not listening to it brings about grave consequences. Sooner or later. Rules are not made to be broken. They are made for our protection.
Again, just a thought, but I wonder how many people could “just not go without” fornication, adultery or porn (etc.) if there were things like jail time offered to those who got caught. I wonder how many of us mistake God’s mercy for believing that there is also not judgment. For our sexual sins. Again. Sooner or later.
Me? Oh, I’ve been a sex offender before. And trust me, just like Match.com, at almost 37 with only four years of abstinence under my belt (pun intended-LOL), I have been implementing my own screening process. Dating men who don’t believe in abstinence? Wait. Let me further clarify: *Who are not personally convicted to live a life of abstinence until marriage?* Nah. That’s a bad date just waiting to happen.
Dating a sex offender. There’s more than one way to do it. And avoid it.
Thanks Match.com for the heads up. And the reminder.