God’s Word On Rape
RAPE, GOD’S WORD ON WHERE WAS GOD,
MY TOWER OF STRENGTH, MY REFUGE?
DOESN’T HE CARE?
Psalm 55:17 . . . Morning, noon, and night I plead aloud in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice.
Psalm 118:5 . . . In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and rescued me.
Psalm 10:17 . . . Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them.
Psalm 119:76 . . . Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. We don’t know why God allows tragedies to enter our lives, but we do know that God hurts deeply with us and loves us more than we’ll ever know. He comforts us and gives us the strength to work through our pain.
Genesis 37:28 . . . When the traders came by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty pieces of silver. Sometimes we suffer because of the sins of others, and not our own sins.
John 9:1-3 . . . “Teacher,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. Sometimes the suffering that comes to us is not our fault. It just happens. In this case, how we react to the suffering is the key.
WHAT IS THE LORD’S RESPONSE TO RAPE?
Psalm 11:5 . . . The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates everyone who loves violence.
Psalm 12:5 . . . The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.” God hates all violence, and he hates those who love violence. They will surely be severely judged.
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EVIL DESIRES AND RAPE?
Romans 6:12 . . . Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to its lustful desires.
Galatians 5:19 . . . When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure.
Ephesians 4:22 . . . Throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Lust and evil desires, left unchecked and uncontrolled, will fan into flames of violence, immorality, and rape.
DOES THE VICTIM OF A RAPE SHARE IN THE BLAME OF THE CRIME?
Deuteronomy 22:25-26 . . . If the man meets the engaged woman out in the country, and he rapes her, then only the man should die. Do nothing to the young woman; she has committed no crime worthy of death. This case is similar to that of someone who attacks and murders a neighbor.
Proverbs 16:29 . . . Violent people deceive their companions, leading them down a harmful path.
Proverbs 24:2 . . . They spend their days plotting violence, and their words are always stirring up trouble. Rape is a violent act against an innocent victim. There is no excuse for such a terrible crime. It is important, however, that you don’t fan the flames of lust by wearing provocative clothing or sending provocative signals.
IS REVENGE THE ANSWER TO RAPE?
Genesis 34:2-30 . . . When the local prince, Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, saw [Dinah], he took her and raped her. . . three days later . . . Simeon and Levi took their swords, entered the town without opposition, and slaughtered every man there.
Psalm 94:1 . . . O Lord, the God to whom vengeance belongs, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice be seen!
Romans 12:19 . . . Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, “I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,” says the Lord. Leave revenge to God, for he is the judge of the universe. A crime must be brought to justive, but personal revenge starts an endless cycle of sin and destruction.
HOW CAN I AVOID FEELINGS OF ANGER AND HATRED?
2 Samuel 13:11-32 . . . As she was feeding him, he grabbed her and demanded, “Come to bed with me, my darling sister.” “No, my brother!” she cried. “Don’t be foolish! Don’t do this to me! You know what a serious crime it is to do such a thing in Israel.” . . . But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he raped her. Then suddenly Amnon’s love turned to hate. . . When King David heard what had happened, he was very angry. And though Absalom never spoke to Amnon about it, he hated Amnon deeply because of what he had done to his sister. . . So at Absalom’s signal they murdered Amnon.
Ephesians 4:31-32 . . . Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Psalms 37:8 . . . Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others-it only leads to harm. If we fill our hearts and minds with God and his good things, we will empty our hearts and minds of anger, hatred, and plotting violence.
HOW CAN THE ANSWER POSSIBLY BE FORGIVENESS-IS FORGIVENESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY?
Romans 12:21 . . . Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Matthew 5:44 . . . I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Mark 11:25 . . . When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.
Matthew 18:21-22 . . . Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No!” Jesus replied, “seventy times seven!” Christ forgave those who crucified him. There is nothing harder-or more healing-than forgiving someone who has greatly wronged you.
PROMISE FROM GOD: Revelation 21:4 . . . He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.
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