What Is Incest?
Incest is any type of sexual contact or involvement between relatives; related by blood, marriage or adoption.Sexual assault (sexual abuse/incest) includes:
- exposure,
- fondling,
- oral-genital contact,
- vaginal and anal intercourse.
It may also be:
- visual,
- verbal,
- or psychological, regardless of whether or not there has been physical contact.
Sexual assault is considered a crime by law and a sin committed by the abuser against the victim according to Scripture (Leviticus 18:6,29; 20:11,12,14,17; 2 Samuel 13:1-20). Biblically, sexual intimacy is designed only to be shared within the boundaries of a loving marriage relationship between a man and a woman.
There Is Hope
There is hope for you if you are a victim of sexual abuse/incest. The trauma of your past experiences need not prevent you from having a healthy and fulfilling life. You may feel powerless, betrayed, confused and rejected by both people and God. The cycle of these feelings, refueled by your painful memories, can be broken. Help is available to heal and restore the damage. There are now trained Christian therapists and support groups available to help you overcome the destruction caused by abuse. God loves you very much. With His help and healing power, you can be set free from the pain and shame of the past.If you have not been reborn spiritually, you can be. In other words, you can be spiritually renewed and experience the new life God has designed for you (2 Corinthians 5:17). You can invite Jesus into your heart right now (1 John 1:8,9; Romans 10:13; John 1:12). He will be with you as you begin your journey to wholeness.
God desires to release you from the pain of the memories. As you remember the ordeal of the assault, allow the power and healing of the Holy Spirit to cleanse your mind and give you God's peace and presence. Begin to praise God and He will release you and lift your burdens (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Psalm 22:3; Romans 8:28). Sacrifice praise to Him, the Great Physician (Hebrews 13:15), and over time you will experience peace in your heart and liberty in your spirit. When this becomes a reality for you, then you are well on the way to your spiritual and emotional healing.
Although it may seem difficult--and even impossible--an important step for you, in time, is to develop forgiveness for your abuser. Also, ask God to forgive him or her. This releases God's forgiveness. Jesus and Stephen, at the time of their deaths, were both able to forgive those who executed them. They both looked to heaven and asked God to forgive the sins of those who were guilty.
You may call the Crossroads Ministry prayer line in your area so that we can pray with you, or The Bayridge Family Centre (located at the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario) for referral to a Christian therapist who will help you work through the healing process. You can reach The Bayridge Family Centre at 905-315-9061 (toll free 1-866-253-7739) or through their website at www.bayridgefamilycenter.com
If You Discover Abuse
Both the abuser and the victim need help. You may also need help if you are a close friend or relative. It is important to pray for God's wisdom and guidance before you do anything. Also realize that health professionals, clergy, teachers, counsellors, therapists and others, are legally bound to report sexual abuse to the authorities when children are involved. This is done for the sake of protecting the victim from further abuse. Reporting of abuse can be done through the family and children's services in your area.It may be best for you to seek the counsel of a professional Christian counsellor or minister in confidence when deciding what you should do. Or you may call the Crossroads Ministry Centre nearest you. Be sure you understand the consequences of any action you may decide to take. Begin to intercede in prayer for everyone concerned. Remember that it is not vengeance, but help and restoration that is needed.
What Scripture Says
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed...” (Luke 4:18,19).
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1,2).
Suggested Reading
- A Door Of Hope by Jan Frank,
- Child Sexual Abuse by Maxine Hancock,
- Healing For The Sexually Abused by John & Paula Sanford,
- Betrayal Of Innocence by David Peters,
- The Wounded Heart by Dr. Dan B. Allender,
- Helping Victims Of Sexual Abuse by Lynn Heitritter & Jeannette Vought,
- Surviving The Secret by Pamela Vredevelt & Kathryn Rodriguez.
Crossroads is happy to help. In fact, that's the whole reason we exist as a ministry. The daily 100 Huntley Street telecast and the 24-hour-a-day Telephone Ministry line are here for the same reason. You may want to call us as you are reading this: 1-866-273-4444
God loves you and we love you! Please give us the privilege of doing our best to help more. For further ministry, you may contact the Crossroads Ministry Centre by writing to:
Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.
Attn: National Ministry Centre
PO Box 5100
Burlington, Ontario L7R 4M2
