Minister’s
Message – March 2010
Human Disorders
The Sydney Morning Herald of 27 February, 2010 carried
the headline ‘Rape becomes an illness’. The article
reported that the Manual of mental disorders, put
out by an international body of psychologists, now includes
a new disorder, ‘paraphilic coercive disorder’.
Who suffers from this disorder? The definition, as reported
by The Sydney Morning Herald, refers to ‘intensive
sexually arousing fantasies or sexual urges focused on sexual
coercion’. It goes on to refer to ‘forcing sex
on three or more non-consenting persons on several occasions’.
Rape has become a mental illness, according to these experts.
It is possible that a rapist – a person who has raped
at least three innocent people – will be able to plead
diminished responsibility because of mental illness.
Is there any crime for which the plea of mental illness cannot
be made? Murderers often make such a plea to avoid conviction.
It helps to have committed multiple murders when making such
a plea! We hear the plea of mental incapacity for all manner
of law breaking, from embezzling money, to telling lies and
perjury. Is the day coming when all crimes will be excused
on the basis of some mental disorder? Will all criminals soon
be set free when they make this plea?
Whilst adults are busy telling children that there will be
consequences for their bad behaviour, they are busy telling
themselves there should be no consequences. Children are very
good at making excuses for their bad behaviour. Are adults
any different? Adults are more sophisticated. They use the
law, and nowadays ‘science’, to get around the
consequences of their actions – be that theft, murder
or even rape.
In all this law and psychology the word sin is never heard.
Yet the word sin is found all through the Creator’s
manual for life. We read in the Bible that the eldest son
of Adam and Eve murdered his own brother. The human race did
not get off to a good start! God warned Cain that sin was
crouching at the door and told him to rule over it (Genesis
4). He did not tell him he was sick and could do nothing other
than murder his brother.
Sin has infected the heart and affected the life of every
descendant of Adam and Eve. All have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Sin is lawlessness.
God gave laws for his people to live by in society, and before
him. Our society has laws we must obey. If we continue down
the path of excusing ourselves when we break these laws, then
the law becomes powerless. The end result will be anarchy.
The person who murders your brother or rapes your sister will
suffer no consequences.
Thankfully God’s law, and the administration of it,
is not left in the hand of psychologists or clever lawyers.
God’s law does not change nor does the judge. Jesus
Christ, who came to this earth, died, and rose again, is the
judge of all people. He is the righteous judge. He will not
accept excuses for wicked acts. All have sinned and are without
excuse (Romans 31:20). The wages of sin is death,
so all will die – well not quite all. We read on but
the gift of God is eternal life (Romans 6:23).
There is only one plea we can make before the judge of each
and every human being, a straightforward plea for mercy. Only
a pardon granted by the supreme ruler of the universe will
save you. The good news is this ruler promises a pardon when
you plead for mercy. If you confess your sins and believe
in his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, he will let you live. Why
the believing in Jesus? Because he is the one who has taken
the penalty for your sin. God does not brush sin under the
carpet. He sent Jesus into this world to bear the penalty
that was on your head. Stop making excuses for your sin. Acknowledge
your sin, confess it to God and ask him, in the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth, to forgive you.
Rev. Dr. Dennis K. Muldoon
(02) 9724-0877
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