defend

Genesis 2:15-24
Psalm 139:13-16
Romans 13:8-14 

As we wade through the series of injustices which currently plague our culture, time and again we return to the conclusion that each social injustice boils down to a heart issue.
A sin issue.
Our modern form of slavery is no different. You may have recoiled at the word “our.” I did, too. But there is a purpose for my word choice.

Loves, until we are able and willing to call them our own, pick up the weight of these collective injustices and shoulder the responsibility required to abolish them, we will remain ineffective and, forgive me, ignorant to what we have been called to do.

Human trafficking is an atrocity for a host of reasons, but at the rotten core, this injustice reeks of lust and selfishness. This heart sin stems from uncontrolled physical desire and the utter disregard for human life in the pursuit of self-gratification. Millions of men, women and children are currently being traded and sold as if they are nothing more than a commodity. Worldwide, it is estimated that almost 21 million men, women and children are victims of human trafficking. (International Labor Organization) Approximately one quarter of those individuals are trafficked for sexual exploitation.
As we go about our daily lives, the temptation to remain ignorant is strong. I don’t mean that in an insulting way, but when our daily routine takes over, it’s easy to fall into the trap of complacency and think that we are either removed from the problem or that we have no sway over such a major issue. Loves, this is happening. It is real. And we have to face the hard truth that there are attitudes and perceptions we allow (and even cultivate) in our culture which blur the lines between good and evil. As we examine tangible ways we can step up and make a difference, we must also examine the ways we are contributing to, or failing to hold accountable, a culture that regards human life with such disdain.

So…where do we start?

We begin by identifying those attitudes and perceptions accepted by culture and perhaps even within our own hearts and minds and call them out for what they are: lies.

Lie number one: Lust is normal, expected and should be celebrated. (See: Magic Mike, 50 Shades of Gray, pretty much any sit-com, reality show and way too many children’s shows and movies.) I could never say it in a way that will not offend someone, but loves, this is truth. We are held to a higher standard, but we are stooping too low. What are we feeding our minds and hearts when we are watching our beloved shows? Imagine inviting Jesus into our living rooms, would we be able to list the shows, books, fill-in-your-blank running through each of our minds right now, without averting our eyes or mumbling under our breath?
None of us are innocent in this.
Although painful to admit, our blind acceptance of this lie has a direct correlation to the widespread acceptance of porn – and by default, the prevalence of human trafficking.
Much of human trafficking is directly tied to the “entertainment industry” which produces the porn demanded by our lust.

Lie number two: Sex is about our own gratification.
Loves, sex has never been about us.
Sex is a gift from God, designed to glorify Him in the way a husband and wife love and cherish one another, thereby modeling Christ’s selfless – to the point of dying on a cross – love for His bride, the Church. Yes, it can be amazing and beautiful and it binds us to our lover in ways nothing else in this life can, but it was never designed to be what we have made it.
Our selfish view taints the beauty of what our Father intended for us.

Lust and selfishness are at the core of human trafficking.

When God says, I formed you in my image; you have value,
Lust says,Your only value is found in what pleasure you give to me.

When God says, I created you to care for and hold fast to your spouse.
Selfishness says,You are disposable. I care only about how you satisfy me.

When God says, I paid dearly for your life, now and forever, and you are worth every drop of My precious Son’s blood.
Lust says, Your body is all I see and care about.

When God says, I will pursue you and win you.
Selfishness says, I will pursue you and capture you.

Loves, we can’t ignore these truths. We are here to fight against injustice and protect those in need. As hard as it is to hear, we must be willing to listen and recognize how we can make a difference.

Father, forgive us for our pride in thinking that we are so far removed from the problem. Remove the blinders we have so painstakingly put on and renew our hearts and minds. Show us how to model purity and hold ourselves – and one another – accountable to Your Truth. Holy Spirit, convict us when we slip into perceptions and attitudes that are not in line with Your purposes. We love you.

Looking for ways to take a stand against human trafficking? Check out these organizations.

Exodus Cry combats sex trafficking by intervening where it exists, bringing restoration to those rescued and exposing sex trafficking in an effort to end this injustice, locally and globally.

International Justice Mission is a global organization that protects the poor from violence in the developing world.

Veronica’s Voice is a Kansas City based organization with the mission of empowering women to exit from, prevent the entry into, and end all demand for, prostitution-sex trafficking in the United States through survivor leadership.

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