by Jeanne Gibson

Created on: April 05, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

We like to blame Western culture for the rise in heinous crimes such as those committed by Karla Curls.

It is true that pornography has become a rampant force in today's world. That should come as no surprise since adult sex stores are located in nearly every city or town, and the magazines, videos, and sex toys they sell are enough to corrupt the morals of the most upright citizen if he or she allows it.

Adultery, homosexuality, and deviant sexual acts stare us in the face from our TV screens hour after hour, every evening, even during the so-called prime-time hours when the programming is supposed to be family oriented. Sex has become the main topic of every book, every program, and every conversation, and not just in the Western world.

In spite of all the emphasis on sex, I believe that the increase in sexually based "crimes, such as the ones Karla Curls took part in, is due to an even deeper problem; a spiritual problem.

True, we could ban all reference to sex on TV, in the newspapers, in books, etc.
We could shut down all the adult sex shops. We could execute everyone who commits a sex-related crime, but the problem would still be there. Our society is sick because it has rejected God.

According to the Bible, God has promised to heal the land of the people if they meet certain conditions. Not just the land of any people, but the land of those who are His people. That means Christians, and this is the promise that He made.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (II Chronicles 7:14)

How many, I wonder, are willing to do this? Christians want the bad guys to quit sinning, but this verse makes it plain that God's people are the ones that hold the key.

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