During the course of my years in counseling and deliverance ministry, I have had occasion periodically to minister to men who have been involved in child molestation. In every case, the legal authorities were aware of the crimes involved so there was not a “need to notify” issue for me which I was thankful for.
In one instance, the transgressor had been a minister and had, before he found our ministry, been arrested and was awaiting trial for inappropriate dealings with a young family member.
It was a tragedy on so many fronts. First and foremost was the damage done to the young person. I have not had contact with that family at all and I pray that they are being helped. For the man himself, it was disconcerting to realize as I met with him that was a kind and gentle man by all appearances. There was a sweet sadness about him as he related his story and life to me and it did not take long for me to conclude that was not an evil man in front of me!
I knew that he loved Jesus, knew the bible and God had used him mightily in ministry. His wife and children understandably were heartbroken with the revelation of what he had done and were almost inconsolable. How could this happen? Why did he do it?
Child Molesters Have Demons
This torment was something he had struggled with for years and he felt powerless to seek help for this issue. In his mind, there was no one to tell. His denomination did not believe that Christians could be demonically tormented by and that they needed deliverance. He felt that there was no one for him to turn to with his private hell. He went through our five step process and I remember vividly the intense physical pain and howl he loosed when he was delivered from that perversion spirit (and others) during our ministry time.
He got free from the demonic spirits but ended going to prison for his crime. He continued to minister there, free from demonic torment, as God used his giftings and knowledge to help men know Jesus better inside the concrete walls. It’s a classic case of God working all things together for good for those who love him… and this man loved Jesus.
I know some will struggle with this account and want to consign child molesters to the worst of the worst places in prison and hell. What he did was heinous and the guilt and shame upon him when he first came in was overwhelming. He is paying the legal price for his crime but Jesus has forgiven him and using him still even now. This man loved the Lord but the darkness that was in him, the tormenting demonic spirits and particularly the one of child molestation, won a victory in his life but they did not win the battle for him.
I cannot speak for all molesters, but I know that this was a man who had done evil things yet who loved and served God too. He had hated and wrestled against the darkness that was in him for years. When the power of God set him free, he was free indeed!
What do you think? Are child molesters just evil people who could stop if they wanted to?
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