She says, He says

          First it was corporate executives, then it was media leaders, next it was elected officials, then it was priests and church officials and now it is the candidate for the Supreme Court of the United States. Almost every day it is somebody new with sexual abuse accusations against them, many of which are decades old.

          Let me first react by saying, if they are guilty, these men deserve all  the punishments they are receiving  Numbers 32:23 reminds us, "ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out."  You can't hide your sin, especially from the Lord, even if it did happen decades ago.  Satan is alive and sin abounds.  Many homes and even ministries have been destroyed by sexual acts.  We are all vulnerable if we aren't walking closely with the Lord.

          But what if it didn't happen?  What if an angry person decides to spoil your reputation by making a false claim against you?  What can the accused do, especially if the act is reported to have happened very long ago?  If there were any witnesses, can they still be found?  If no charges were filed at that time, there was no investigation or collection of evidence.  What can investigators do now to determine the truth?  Probably nothing.

          It turns out that it usually comes down to "she says, he says."  So who is telling the truth and how do you prove it?

          Unfortunately, once the accusation is made the reputation is ruined, no matter what an investigation eventually shows.  Even if innocent, the accused will still be judged guilty by many and nothing will allow them to regain the lost reputation and the person's future.  That's just the way it works in our society.  No longer innocent until proven guilty, no longer innocent even it proven innocent.

          Over the years, as I supervised many teachers, I frequently reminded my teachers to never tutor or help a student alone in a classroom, especially with the door closed.  If that student wants to get even with you, all the student needs to do is make a public accusation and you are done.  Again, even if an investigation shows that you are innocent, there will always be guilt in the mind of the public and your teaching career is over.

          The same warnings should be made to all, including those in the ministry.  Churches should not allow staff members to work alone with a person of the opposite sex in a closed room, even a secretary.  At a very minimum the door must contain a window that allows others to see what is going on in the room.

          In a similar manner, a person should never provide transportation alone for a member of the opposite sex.  Leaders of children should never be alone with a child and should never ever go to the bathroom with them.  One's actions may be a result of sincere caring and wanting to help, but they are dangerous and should never happen.

          I often have wondered what I would do, if after 39 years of teaching, with a good reputation, some former student would make up a story about me from 35 years ago and then make a public accusation against me.  What would I do?  What could I do?  Would my denials be adequate?  Probably not.

          What a sad weapon is there for a person to get back at somebody who may have offended them in the past or is of the opposite political opinion.

          Now I don't know what will happen to Judge Kavanaugh.  Hopefully he is innocent and will be approved.  But, in my mind, the circumstances are really questionable.  Why would Senator Finestein hold on to this information for months despite many public and private interviews with him?  Why was this accusation of an event from high school, decades ago, now coming out just before the final committee vote, especially from a party that has tried everything, including violation of senate rules, to delay and block his vote.  Have liberal politics really sunk to that level?  I fear they have. I certainly hope not, but one must wonder.  I guess all we can do is wait and see and pray that the truth will be done, whatever it may be. It is a very crucial time in the history of our country.

          So  "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."  1 Peter 5:8.  And pray!

1.   A mighty Fortress is our God,

A Bulwark never failing;

Our Helper He amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great,

And, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

2.    Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side,

The Man of God's own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth His Name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

3.    And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim,

We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo! his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

4.     That word above all earthly powers,

No thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours

Through Him who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also;

The body they may kill:

God's truth abideth still,

His Kingdom is forever.