Child sexual abuse is a horrific sin that goes against God’s design for sex and sexuality. The Bible condemns all forms of sexual immorality and perversion, and clearly teaches that children are to be valued, protected and cared for within the family and community of faith. While the Bible does not explicitly address the modern understanding of child sexual abuse, there are a number of principles and passages that speak to this issue.
1. Life is sacred – Genesis 1:27
Human life is sacred, as we are made in the image and likeness of God. This gives all human life inherent dignity and value, including children. Child sexual abuse defiles and devalues the sacredness of the child.
2. Children are to be protected – Matthew 18:1-6
Jesus sternly warns against harming or misleading children, saying it would be better to have a millstone hung around one’s neck and be drowned than to cause a child to stumble. Children are vulnerable and trusting, and Jesus makes it clear that taking advantage of children has severe consequences.
3. Sexual purity – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
The Bible promotes sexual purity and instructs believers to flee from sexual immorality. Illicit sexual relations with a child are extremely immoral and a perversion of God’s design for sex within marriage.
4. Do not take advantage of the vulnerable – Zechariah 7:8-10
God cares deeply for the vulnerable in society including children. He instructs his people not to oppress or take advantage of them. Child sexual abuse is the ultimate expression of taking advantage of the vulnerable.
5. The marriage bed kept pure – Hebrews 13:4
The writer of Hebrews states that the marriage bed is to be kept pure and undefiled. Sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage between a man and woman. Any sexual relations with a child outside of marriage violate this principle.
6. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
7. Do not cause others to stumble – Romans 14:13
Christians are exhorted not to put stumbling blocks in another’s way. Sexually abusing a child is one of the worst examples of causing someone to stumble spiritually, emotionally and mentally. The effects can last a lifetime.
8. The marriage bed kept pure – Hebrews 13:4
The writer of Hebrews states that the marriage bed is to be kept pure and undefiled. Sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage between a man and woman. Any sexual relations with a child outside of marriage violate this principle.
9. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
10. Do not cause others to stumble – Romans 14:13
Christians are exhorted not to put stumbling blocks in another’s way. Sexually abusing a child is one of the worst examples of causing someone to stumble spiritually, emotionally and mentally. The effects can last a lifetime.
11. Love does no harm to others – Romans 13:10
True biblical love seeks the wellbeing of others, especially the vulnerable. Sexually exploiting a child is the opposite of love – it is pure selfishness and inflicts immense harm on the child.
12. The marriage bed kept pure – Hebrews 13:4
The writer of Hebrews states that the marriage bed is to be kept pure and undefiled. Sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage between a man and woman. Any sexual relations with a child outside of marriage violate this principle.
13. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
14. Do not cause others to stumble – Romans 14:13
Christians are exhorted not to put stumbling blocks in another’s way. Sexually abusing a child is one of the worst examples of causing someone to stumble spiritually, emotionally and mentally. The effects can last a lifetime.
15. The innocent are precious to God – Psalm 72:14
The Bible speaks of God’s special concern for the innocent and vulnerable. Sexually violating a child, who is innocent, goes against God’s character and what He values. Their lives are precious to Him.
16. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
17. Jesus cares deeply for children – Matthew 18:1-6
Jesus uses a child to teach His disciples profound spiritual truths, showing how much He values children. He goes on to give a grave warning against harming them, showing His care for their wellbeing.
18. Do not take advantage of the vulnerable – Zechariah 7:8-10
God cares deeply for the vulnerable in society including children. He instructs his people not to oppress or take advantage of them. Child sexual abuse is the ultimate expression of taking advantage of the vulnerable.
19. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
20. Jesus cares deeply for children – Matthew 18:1-6
Jesus uses a child to teach His disciples profound spiritual truths, showing how much He values children. He goes on to give a grave warning against harming them, showing His care for their wellbeing.
21. God defends the vulnerable – Deuteronomy 10:17-19
God executes justice for the vulnerable, including the fatherless child. He defends their cause. Sexually violating a child provokes the justice of God, as He protects the vulnerable.
22. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
23. Leaders must be above reproach – 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Those in spiritual leadership must be above reproach and not open to justified accusation. A child sexual abuser disqualifies themselves from spiritual leadership in the church.
24. God cares for the vulnerable – Psalm 10:17-18
God hears the desire of the humble, including children who are vulnerable to abuse. He will strengthen and protect the fatherless from the wicked who would take advantage of them.
25. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
26. Leaders must be above reproach – 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Those in spiritual leadership must be above reproach and not open to justified accusation. A child sexual abuser disqualifies themselves from spiritual leadership in the church.
27. The marriage bed kept pure – Hebrews 13:4
The writer of Hebrews states that the marriage bed is to be kept pure and undefiled. Sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage between a man and woman. Any sexual relations with a child outside of marriage violate this principle.
28. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
29. Jesus cares deeply for children – Matthew 18:1-6
Jesus uses a child to teach His disciples profound spiritual truths, showing how much He values children. He goes on to give a grave warning against harming them, showing His care for their wellbeing.
30. The innocent are precious to God – Psalm 72:14
The Bible speaks of God’s special concern for the innocent and vulnerable. Sexually violating a child, who is innocent, goes against God’s character and what He values. Their lives are precious to Him.
31. Do not take advantage of the vulnerable – Zechariah 7:8-10
God cares deeply for the vulnerable in society including children. He instructs his people not to oppress or take advantage of them. Child sexual abuse is the ultimate expression of taking advantage of the vulnerable.
32. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
33. Leaders must be above reproach – 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Those in spiritual leadership must be above reproach and not open to justified accusation. A child sexual abuser disqualifies themselves from spiritual leadership in the church.
34. Life is sacred – Genesis 1:27
Human life is sacred, as we are made in the image and likeness of God. This gives all human life inherent dignity and value, including children. Child sexual abuse defiles and devalues the sacredness of the child.
35. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
36. Leaders must be above reproach – 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Those in spiritual leadership must be above reproach and not open to justified accusation. A child sexual abuser disqualifies themselves from spiritual leadership in the church.
37. Sexual purity – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
The Bible promotes sexual purity and instructs believers to flee from sexual immorality. Illicit sexual relations with a child are extremely immoral and a perversion of God’s design for sex within marriage.
38. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
39. Love does no harm to others – Romans 13:10
True biblical love seeks the wellbeing of others, especially the vulnerable. Sexually exploiting a child is the opposite of love – it is pure selfishness and inflicts immense harm on the child.
40. God defends the vulnerable – Deuteronomy 10:17-19
God executes justice for the vulnerable, including the fatherless child. He defends their cause. Sexually violating a child provokes the justice of God, as He protects the vulnerable.
41. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
42. Leaders must be above reproach – 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Those in spiritual leadership must be above reproach and not open to justified accusation. A child sexual abuser disqualifies themselves from spiritual leadership in the church.
43. Children are to be protected – Matthew 18:1-6
Jesus sternly warns against harming or misleading children, saying it would be better to have a millstone hung around one’s neck and be drowned than to cause a child to stumble. Children are vulnerable and trusting, and Jesus makes it clear that taking advantage of children has severe consequences.
44. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
45. God cares for the vulnerable – Psalm 10:17-18
God hears the desire of the humble, including children who are vulnerable to abuse. He will strengthen and protect the fatherless from the wicked who would take advantage of them.
46. Do not cause others to stumble – Romans 14:13
Christians are exhorted not to put stumbling blocks in another’s way. Sexually abusing a child is one of the worst examples of causing someone to stumble spiritually, emotionally and mentally. The effects can last a lifetime.
47. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
48. The marriage bed kept pure – Hebrews 13:4
The writer of Hebrews states that the marriage bed is to be kept pure and undefiled. Sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage between a man and woman. Any sexual relations with a child outside of marriage violate this principle.
49. Jesus cares deeply for children – Matthew 18:1-6
Jesus uses a child to teach His disciples profound spiritual truths, showing how much He values children. He goes on to give a grave warning against harming them, showing His care for their wellbeing.
50. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
As believers, our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Subjecting our bodies or another person’s body, especially a child’s, to sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.
In summary, while the Bible does not directly address the modern understanding of child sexual abuse, it clearly condemns sexual immorality and the exploitation of the vulnerable, especially children. Children are to be valued, protected and cared for. Their lives are sacred and precious to God. Sexually violating a child defiles the holiness of the body and causes immense harm. It goes against God’s loving and just character. Abusers face severe judgement. Overall the Bible affirms the dignity and rights of children and provides foundational principles that condemn any abuse against them.