A minister primed a 20-year-old youth into doing a sinful act. This minister was a senior leader and a personality whose presence brought fear in most believers. Over a few years, the minister manipulated the child. Slowly, it crossed the boundaries of basic decency.

The youth, before matters, got worse, informed an elder. The elder took care of the problem keeping the impact on the entire flock in mind.

A few weeks of Spirit-filled prayer and bible study helped the youth realise why he fell for the trap. Today, he continues to serve the church and is wiser and watchful about others not making the same mistake.

Is this a new problem? No. Why was the child unable to protect himself before the initial act? How did he manage to fall into such a devious trap? 

Whether ministers or highly positioned people in the world, power corrupts the unguarded heart. It is much worse and more damaging when it is a church minister. 

We are in the last days, and a great delusion has swept the earth. We live in a materialistically charged world, driving people into hurtful lusts (1 Timothy 6:5-10). 

How can youth protect themselves? What can the innocent do to preserve their lives from truant ministers or evil people? 

Such a kind of attack happens in familiar environs. Or cult-like settings. In places where after years of blessings of every kind, people have become fat with material fortune. Convenient lifestyles which look good outwardly but inwardly turn them into ravening wolves. 

Obedience to God's power-filled word protects us from sexual lusts

Those who stay in the word of God receive security and safety from the sleight of evil men (Ephesians 4:14). It is not just youth who fall prey. Even older believers are bound by people-pleasing compromises that seeped in over time. 

Walk in truth, and live in love (Ephesians 4:17-32). Set boundaries for yourself as you grow in the Lord and discover your strengths and weaknesses. Jesus is the rock on which we stand. Let not people in position or power convince us to lean on them. 

We are closer than ever before to the coming of the Lord. May Christ prepare us all. Maranatha, Praise God and Amen!