A report from Lake Worth, Florida, read: " An 8-year-old girl was found alive Sunday at a landfill after a teen buried her under heavy rocks in a recycling container" (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,157306,00.html). Responding to an Amber Alert, about 100 law enforcement officers were involved in a search that culminated in the rescue of the girl and charges of attempted murder, sexual battery and false imprisonment being levied against a 17-year-old boy. Sadly, this was not a single, isolated incident.

The same day, the Associated Press reported that a man in Port Charlotte, Florida, 150 miles west of Lake Worth, had in separate incidents, kidnapped two girls from their homes while their parents slept, taken each to a construction site and raped them before sending them home. He threatened to kill their families if they said anything. A 31-year-old man confessed to kidnapping and raping the girls, ages 13 and 7.

Of course, sexual abuse of children is also occurring in places other than Florida. But it is no consolation to understand that other states, nations, communities, families and innocent children are suffering the same kind of abuse. Civilized people all over the world detest this kind of behavior and most governments strive to curb this despicable conduct with varying types of punishment.

The news media reports the facts regarding these incidents but what seems to be missing in public discourse is an explanation of why humans commit sexual crimes and how these atrocities will be eradicated. How did sexual sin begin? When will all children finally be safe? Surprising to many, the Bible has answers to these questions.

Rejecting God as their source of wisdom and knowledge, the first humans, Adam and Eve, embarked upon a way of life that led to misery for themselves and all of humanity that has followed their example. Some of the consequences of rejecting God and His standards include the inability to recognize sexual immorality and the inability to control the selfish, lustful thinking that leads to this kind of behavior (Romans 1:28-29). People who reject God mistakenly believe that His instructions regarding sex are overly restrictive instead of loving guidance to help us live happier, more fulfilling lives.

After Adam and Eve's tragic decision, the ancient world quickly formed its own gods, choosing its own way of life. When God began working with the ancient Israelites, they were heavily influenced by the Egyptians and Canaanites who practiced idolatry. But what made ancient idolatry so enticing was undoubtedly the sexual immorality that accompanied it. Slipping back into the lifestyle of ancient Egypt, the Israelites made a golden calf when Moses delayed coming down from the mountain. After offering sacrifices to the calf-idol they had made, the Israelites "sat down to feast and drink at a wild party, followed by sexual immorality" (Exodus 32:6, Living Bible).

In giving the Ten Commandments, God called the ancient Israelites out of the standards around them and into a holy way of life. The Second Commandment, which forbids the making and worship of idols (Exodus 20:4-6), was also a strike against the sexual immorality that accompanied idolatry. In addition to the Second Commandment, God gave other instructions to guide us in our sexual conduct and respect for others.

The ancient choice between God and sexual immorality is still relevant today. While fewer people in this 21st century actually make and bow down to idols, the lifestyle that accompanied idolatry remains. Not understanding or practicing the laws that God gave us for our own good have a direct connection to the sexual abuse we see today.

Thankfully, the Bible predicts a time when there will be no more idolaters, sexual abusers, or people who don't accept God and His standards (Revelation 21:8). This will be a time of peace, security and happiness for all. Therefore, shouldn't each of us examine his own views and behavior?