Obscured by the frenetic pace of modern life and a consuming focus on materialism, many 21st Century sojourners have not discerned the palpable erosion of morality in our land.

Measurable elements of our society openly live in unbridled lusts and moral abandon.

However, it is no longer a disaffected minority of our culture that has been adversely affected by effacing God's moral law and the inner law of conscience. A generalized moral malaise has settled over our landscape that has brought leanness to the soul of most of our nation.

In a society and culture no longer governed by God's unchanging moral principles, social pathologies abound. Hostility to Biblical religion thrives in our land in a way that would make the participants of the French Revolution of the late 1700's proud. Secularism, humanism and paganism are thriving in post- Christian America. We are jaded, effete and pagan as a nation.

THE LAST DAYS

In 67 AD, Paul, by inspiration of God, delineated the literal events we observe taking place in our culture. In 2 Timothy 3:1- 9, he described these times as "perilous times" that would occur in the "last days? (2 Timothy 3:1).

Technically, these "last days" describe that period between 67 AD and the return of Christ. However,, one can logically expect the sad litany of wicked practices described in verses 2 - 5 to intensify as the end of the age draws near.

When our nation honored the Lord, we were exalted ("Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" Proverbs 14:34), but we now bear an increasingly marked reproach. Disdaining our God brings ominous results: "The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that forget God." (Psalm 9:17)

Note some of the particular descriptions Paul uses to explain these perilous times: "lovers of their own selves, unholy, without natural affection, incontinent, fierce, heady and lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God". (verses 2 - 4).

Such dissolute libertines can be expected to engage in pernicious, aberrant, self-serving and anti-social behavior. Hence, a culture of self has yielded a catastrophic destruction of the nuclear family (50% divorce rate, unprecedented number of working mothers, burgeoning growth of single parent homes).

Temperance, or self-control is becoming an endangered character quality in our culture. Personal responsibility and the notion, "I am accountable for my behavior," is gradually disappearing from the modern scene.

SEXUAL PREDATION

In addition to breaking a marriage covenant, killing an unwanted unborn child, titillating one's dissolute libido with pornography, accepting sodomy as an alternative way to live, a debauched citizen of these perilous times will easily become an unblushing sexual predator.

When Paul characterized this class of souls as "fierce" (verse 3), he was aptly using a word which literally means an "untamed beast." How else can one describe an individual who will prey on vulnerable, defenseless youth to satiate his demented and twisted libido?

IT IS HAPPENING TO OUR CHILDREN

In over 30 years at Hephzibah House, we have listened to numerous tragic tales of girls whose innocence has been stolen and scarred by their father, step-father, brother, step-brother, grandfather, or other respected and trusted family member or authority figure.

These victimized girls arrive with troubled spirits, a sad demeanor and a haunting look. Some have learned to sublimate, and their horrifying past experiences are a secret personal nightmare over which they constantly seek to erase its effects from their present and future experience.

Most, however, suffer ongoing consequences that retard spiritual growth and victory, mitigate against a lack of genuine, consistent joy and engender a deficient view of sel LINGERING CONSEQUENCES

A victim of incest and/or molestation sometimes considers herself beyond the reach of a "normal life" by virtue of being so "soiled and dirty." Such girls are often left with a predisposition to be promiscuous, finding a pathetic value in numerous dalliances that in fact only serve to further desensitize and scar her soul.

Others fear rejection and/or judgment if she unburdens her soul about her victimization. Thus, she purposely conceals her past and carries a heavy burden of guilt and shame she is not equipped to carry.

Also, some old enough to understand the subsequent consequences of reporting a parent, sibling or authority figure, do not want to be responsible for "breaking up the family," or the incarceration of the one that has victimized her. Like some abused and battered wives, she endures the agony of "her secret" rather than jeopardize the security she believes she still has in her relationship, as dysfunctional and aberrant as it is.

VICTORY IS POSSIBLE

I vividly remember the confession of one young lady in our ministry who haltingly and hesitantly shared her sordid story of having been used by her father over a prolonged period of several years. As she was encouraged by a sympathetic ear, she poured out the facts she had been hiding.

One could easily discern the emotional and spiritual catharsis that ensued as she unburdened her soul and sought help, healing and grace from the Lord. I am glad to report she is now happily married, a contented mother of children, and in the Lord's work today.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

What about prevention? Can these unspeakable crimes against youngsters be prevented? As the apostasy deepens and these "perilous times" become more dangerous, loving parents need to be aware we are living in a hostile and dangerous atmosphere.

One can no longer assume one's neighbor, friend or relative is controlled by the dictates of a morally enlightened conscience. Some youngsters are violated by pastors, missionaries and gray- headed grandparents!

Nor can one escape by living in remote areas, away from population centers. Several of our girls have voluntarily or involuntarily been violated by their own family members, through they lived in sparsely populated, remote places.

Several procedures can be put in place in every home to inhibit or retard the incidence of these grievous crimes. Modest behavior and dress should be a hallmark of every moral home. It is not decent and enlightened behavior to parade around in front of family members in various stages of nudity, it is shameful and alluring, especially as young bodies mature and develop.

It is noteworthy that God provided coats of skins to cover nudity once man fell in sin. Nakedness in Scripture is universally proclaimed as being "shameful." Every child early on should be taught to cover their nakedness and to never expose themselves in shameful ways.

Supervision of children should be predicated on the fact that we live in a wicked and sinful world, and that ubiquitous, imminent dangers lurk for unsupervised, trusting and naive youngsters. Not only so, but every youngster himself is possessed of a wicked, fallen nature, and therefore is in critical need of constant moral supervision and accountability.

Children should always be under the supervision of their God- ordained authority figures, or to those delegated by the same. Such practices as sleeping overnight at friends' houses, riding in automobiles with members of the opposite sex, or unsupervised outings ought to be forbidden. In each case, the parent does not have control or supervision. The defilement of an unsupervised and unassuming Dinah is an alarming illustration from antiquity, and may I say we do not live in an environment morally superior to Schechem (Genesis 34:1-2).

Children, young people and teens ought not to be left home alone. Many a youngster has lost their innocence with one of their siblings as parents are away and naively assuming nothing would happen to their child at home.

Commercial television, contemporary music, worldly videos and salacious periodicals and newspapers do not encourage young people to remain pure in thought and deed. Nominal Christianity is actually dangerous for a youngster in these perilous times; they become inoculated with a weakened form of the real thing and consequently become immunized against the real thing (vital Christianity).

They become desensitized to the plague of their heart, the insidious and pernicious character of sin and the absolute necessity of a holy walk. Having friends with questionable character and participating in worldly activities does not help youngsters to grow strong in spirit.

Recreational dating ought to be viewed for what it is: wicked, worldly, unbiblical and an activity that predisposes its participants to harmful lusts and temptations, including future marital problems.

BE SOBER, VIGILANT, PROTECTIVE

Praise God for the resilience of children and the healing balm of God's grace for those involved in molestation/incest. However, it is a severe bump in the road for its victims, and its scarring, debilitating effects ought to be a stirring motivation for every parent to be vigilant, sober, watchful and protective. If it occurs, it ought not to happen because of carelessness and naivete', but in spite of every caution and care.

Dear Parent, do not be deceived by our enlightened culture. Do not become so consumed with the business of modern life that you forget we are living in a hostile, depraved and debauched world. Sexual predation is a tragic reality perpetrated on multitudes of hapless youngsters by rapacious, intemperate felons, who have no compunction about the innocence, youth or vulnerability of their victims.

Until the inchoative character and maturity of your child is in full bloom, your children need your active guidance, protection and oversight. Just as locked doors "keep our friends out," but do not accuse them of burglary, living by standards requiring constant parental supervision of children, insistence on modesty, shamefacedness and being demure, will prevent much molestation without accusing anyone of being a predator.

TORCH EDITOR: These are wise words coming from Pastor Williams. Here in the Las Vegas area there have been six public school teachers arrested and charged with sexual crimes with children. Also a Catholic School and a Baptist School with the same problem. These were crimes against both boys and girls. Some of these predators are already serving jail time. THIS IS ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.