The Betrayal of Innocence

A malevolent spirit is responsible for the cascade of evil in neighborhoods and nations—and it is always recruiting. Any doubt is shattered when evening news reports show men dressed as women in bizarre, clown-like costumes, cavorting in front of young children and many of their parents at school functions. These deviant individuals prance about with lewd sexual gyrations while singing or mouthing bawdy lyrics and sexual innuendos—in front of children not yet ten years old!

These so-called “Drag Queens” have taken advantage of broadly interpreted civil rights laws allowing what were once ruled as unnatural sexual behaviors, aggressively pushing into public schools, libraries, and extracurricular activities their agenda of normalized perversion. And they are targeting little children. While child pornography and pedophilia are criminal offenses subject to prosecution, practitioners of the cross-dressing, transvestite lifestyle are making inroads. The LGBT community has, by incessant litigation, pressed for an “anything goes” attitude, often intimidating public officials and school administrators.

More and more people now accept such sexualized entertainment. The New York Times recently reported that “drag queen library readings have grown in popularity as a way to entertain children while teaching inclusivity” (“Drag Events Across the Country Have Often Faced Threats in Recent Years,” November 21, 2022). As sexual exploitation rages, gender dysphoria—gender confusion—is spreading at an alarming pace.

Choosing to identify as other than one’s biological sex is a new trend in “developed” nations. Peer pressure and desire for acceptance influence many children to pursue this dangerous fad. Major medical centers are cashing in by administering hormone treatments and performing sexual “reassignment” surgery on children. Amazingly, some parents, influenced by psychologists and physicians, approve this travesty. The results are often devastating for children as they mature and come to realize the tragic mistake.

God’s Way Protects

While legislatures, academia, and courts may be intimidated by the malevolent spirit working through these movements, one clear and authoritative resource condemns it. The Holy Bible states plainly, “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 22:5). The prophet Isaiah was inspired to write, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

In the New Testament, we see the religious establishment taken aback by Jesus Christ and His approach. “They were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority” (Luke 4:32). Regarding human gender, Jesus said that “He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’” (Matthew 19:4). No confusion here.

Scripture reveals Jesus Christ’s godly love and concern for children. As little children were brought to Him, some leaders protested, but He said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16). Christ explained that we can learn from little children: “Assuredly, I say to you whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it” (v. 17). Elsewhere, He proclaimed, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven…. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:3, 6).

Christ was simply expressing the instruction given through the prophet Isaiah: “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell my people their transgression” (Isaiah 58:1). One can decry the sin yet have loving concern for the sinner. Jesus admonished, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

We look forward to the Kingdom of God, when the innocence of little children will no longer be betrayed. To learn more about that imminent Kingdom, you can request a free copy of The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like? or read it online at TomorrowsWorld.org.