SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1069

“Protect the Innocent”

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 18:10)

I recall holding my newborn children. They seemed so innocent, helpless and vulnerable. I loved rocking them to sleep as they nestled safe and secure in my arms. I felt that I had to be their protector.

Sadly, in our society today it seems that children are despised. Our lawmakers have legislated that the unborn are not human and that their life can be terminated at any time. Recently they extended this death sentence to include children born alive from a failed abortion attempt. If not to flaunt this heinous act, seventeen days later these same lawmakers pass a ‘kitten’ act preventing the killing of kittens used in various types of experimentation declaring that the kittens have a right to a good home. Children are despised and kittens are valued among our convoluted, corrupt, and dare I say evil elected officials. May the Lord hold them accountable!

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.(Proverbs 6:16-17; Luke 12:48)

Innocence is fleeting for our children. Their eyes and ears are assaulted with things that rob them of innocence as soon as they begin to watch TV, let alone walk down the halls of their schools, public and private alike. …but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6)

The Greek word translated as ‘sin’ is “skandalidzo” from which we get our more common word: ‘scandal’.  It literally means a trap-stick or bent sapling used to create a snare to capture or causes to stumble. Our children learn by watching. Are we protecting them or setting snares to trip them up?

Do we set the snare of prejudice toward their fellow man by what we say and how we act?

Do we place the stumbling block of compromising values by our entertainment choices?

Do we teach them the principles of biblical financial stewardship or set the trap of the materialistic principles of this world?

Do we teach them of the sanctity of marriage and the value of a family unit solidly built upon the rock of Jesus or do we set the snare of a divorce and of a fractured family unit.

Let us pray for the innocent children, that God’s hand of protection be upon them.  Let us pray for the strength through God’s Holy Spirit to be men and women of integrity in that we would never cause one of God’s innocent ones to stumble or be snared by sin.

but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)