The sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.(Genesis 6:2,NIV)
Genesis 6 shows how sexual depravity rapidly spread after the fall of Adam and Eve. From that point on, sexual sin was not only rampant in places like Sodom and Gomorrah, but also among the people of Israel—the very nation chosen by God.
According to the Korean Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s “2021 Statistics on Women’s Lives,” incidents of sexual violence increased by more than 10,000 over the past decade. In 2019, 31,400 cases were reported—about 1.5 times higher than the 20,375 cases in 2010. The number of arrests for sexual violence also rose, along with the rate of repeat offenses. In 2019, 33,700 individuals were arrested, and 2,133 of them (6.3%) were repeat offenders. This is a 1.7-fold increase in arrests and a 1.5-fold rise in recidivism compared to 2010.
The Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center reports that about 85 percent of sexual violence cases involve a perpetrator known to the victim. A total of 452 such cases were recorded, and this trend has remained largely unchanged over the years. In 2021, one alarming shift in the data was a significant rise in sexual violence committed by relatives, accounting for 14.2 percent of all cases. Victims range across all age groups, from infants to the elderly. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of victims are male, and nearly 50 percent are under the age of 19. While most sexual violence is committed by men against women, there are also cases such as those within the military where men are victimized.
Sexual crimes and violence are not only a pressing issue in Korea but a widespread global problem. In a world where fallen sinners follow their bodily desires and depraved hearts, only the power of the gospel has the strength to break the chains of sexual sin.
》Prayer Points
1. God created human beings as male and female, blessed them, and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28). Let us acknowledge the sin of corrupting the holy and beautiful gift of sex, designed for a husband and wife to become one and bear children, with lust and obscenity. Let us pray for the power of the gospel to bring an end to sexual violence in the world.
》Scripture Prayer
2 Peter 2:9–14, 17–18(NIV) 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; 11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. 12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish. 13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!
17 These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.
Matthew 5:27–28 (NIV) 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Believing in Jesus Christ is the strength and victory that overcomes sin. The cross is the only true hope for overcoming the desires of the flesh. Let us pray for those who, even though they know this truth, still fall into sexual depravity without seeking God’s help. Pray that they will repent of despising God and acting in sin, and return to Him.
2. Let us stand against and destroy all the schemes of Satan that lead people into destruction through sexual temptation in families, schools, and throughout society. For those who are trapped in sexual depravity and addiction, may they realize that no treatment or punishment can help them escape judgment unless they repent. Let us pray that they would come to the cross of Christ, turn away from their sin, and be saved.
3. Let us pray that those who are suffering and wounded from sexual violence may encounter the love and comfort of Jesus Christ. May the power of the gospel bring transformation, turning darkness and sorrow into everlasting joy. Let us pray that they die to their old selves, be restored to new life, and rise up to help and serve others who are going through the same pain.
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