Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021
Friday, September 3, 2021
The authorities that exist are placed by God in their relative positions (Rom. 13: 1).
Do elders obey laws on reporting alleged child abuse to authorities? Yes. In places where such laws exist, the elders obey them. These standards are not against God's law (Acts 5:28, 29). Therefore, when an accusation of this type reaches the ears of the elders, they immediately ask the branch for advice on how to proceed in order to ensure compliance with child abuse reporting laws. The elders confirm to the victims, their parents and anyone else who knows the case that they are free to report the alleged abuse to the authorities. Now, what if the accused is part of the congregation and the matter is made public? Should the Christian who filed the complaint think that he has tainted God's name? Do not. The one who has stained it is the one who committed the abuse. w19.05 10 pars. 13, 14
Why is child abuse a sin against the congregation and against the authorities?
It is a sin against the congregation. Anyone who is part of the congregation and abuses a minor blemishes its reputation (Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:12). But it is unfair that the actions of a single person harm millions of faithful brothers who are fighting "tenaciously for the faith" (Jud. 3). We do not tolerate among us those who do evil things without repentance and spoil the good name of the congregation.
It is a sin against the authorities. Christians are to be "in subjection to higher authorities" (Rom. 13: 1). We demonstrate our subjection by respecting the laws of the country. If a person in the congregation violates the law — for example, by abusing a minor — he sins against the authorities (compare Acts 25: 8). Although elders are not authorized to enforce laws, they do not protect the abuser of a minor from the legal consequences of their sin (Rom. 13: 4). The sinner reaps what he has sown (Gal. 6: 7).
How does God view the sins that one person commits against another?
It is above all a sin against Jehovah (Ps. 51: 4). When one person sins against another, he also sins against God. Let's look at an example taken from the Law that Jehovah gave to the nation of Israel. This said that whoever robbed or defrauded his neighbor behaved “unfaithfully towards Jehovah” (Lev. 6: 2-4). There is no doubt, then, that a person who is part of the congregation and abuses a child, robbing him of his sense of security, is unfaithful to God and seriously dirties his name. For that reason, we see abuse for what it is: a detestable sin against God that we roundly condemn.
What Bible-based information has Jehovah's organization provided over the years, and why?
Over the years, Jehovah's organization has provided a wealth of Bible-based information on child abuse. For example, in the magazines The Watchtower and Awake! Articles have been published on how victims of sexual abuse can cope with emotional wounds, how others can help and encourage them, and how parents can protect their children. The elders have also been given detailed biblical instructions on what to do when someone commits this sin. The organization periodically reviews the procedures that the elderly must follow when these cases arise. In this way, we ensure that our approach to this problem follows the law of Christ.
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