And yet, and yet…

The other day, I saw an article regarding the release of the Epstein files which read, “This release will probably not bring the satisfaction people were looking for from the release of these files.”

As we watch a great evil of our time unfolding, leading to the rightful disgrace and arrest of many leaders from around the world, I wondered at that idea. Satisfaction. Why should there be people unconnected to the Epstein files that are reliant on their release for their personal satisfaction?

There are a few things about the human spirit that I think are helpful in trying to understand this external reliance for personal satisfaction.

We’ll start with the good side. The world’s obsession over the release of the Epstein files is a righteous response to a repulsive evil. Where the world has seen those in power engaged in widespread pedophilia, the normal human response is indeed outrage. There is a God-given drive in us to seek out, to crave, justice. As all mankind is created in the Image of God, when we see others of his Image oppressed we rightly grieve and move to anger. And that anger should bring justice. And when the justice system is perverted for political gain, it rightly pierces our hearts in the places where God’s spirit dwells.

I find it extremely encouraging when I look at the state of the world that the fire of real justice still burns even in hearts that are far from God. As people see the wrong in the world, there is still a craving to return to what is right. Eden forever resides in the depths of our hearts, waiting to be accepted in Christ’s grace.

So if that’s the good side, is there a bad side to this external reliance on releasing of files for satisfaction. Unfortunately, yes.

The darker side to this rage for the release of the Epstein files is the continuing ache of the mob for violence without accountability. What do I mean by this? I think it must be considered that the engine that drove (and funded) a monster like Epstein is still very alive.

When I saw all this developing, I wondered, “Where did Epstein get so much money? What would make him so influential?” So in looking back to his start, I quickly found that his rise of ascendancy started with Victoria’s Secret.

Don’t miss this: Epstein’s wealth was kicked off and fueled by a brand that has systematically objectified and afflicted women for the past decades. It is also a brand that has poured gasoline on the growth of pornography in the public sector. By its type of marketing, it moved from just selling underwear to selling lingerie. From selling something that is really a pretty mundane thing to a highly sexualized and manipulated public visual drug. This company fueled warped visions of female beauty and mightily contributed to the wildfire spread of eating disorders in women and pornographic addiction in men.

And don’t miss this: anywhere the pornography industry is active, there also will be pedophilia and sex trafficking. There is absolutely not one without the other.

Out of this cesspool of degradation, Epstein arose. And from there he weaponized human sexual perversion and power to advance himself into the uppermost rungs of world power, drawing alongside himself others that delighted in that perversion.

OK, understanding the filth of this situation, why am I referring to this as the darker side of satisfaction? Because as long as pornography continues to gain a foothold in the hearts of believers, Epstein will just be the tip of the iceberg. There will always be others. This is a hard truth that the release of the files has uncovered, especially as we see many power brokers in the world being ushered off to their correct punishment.

But if our craving for justice is satisfied by scandal without our own personal change, this whole spectacle will just be dust in the wind. Being righteously indignant will never be enough to change the world, or to change ourselves.

Judgment without personal accountability is hypocrisy and will always lead to corruption.

God calls you as a believer to several things from this scandal. First, we must put away the plank from our own eyes. If we as believers are engaged in pornography or the industry of degrading of human beings, it must stop immediately. We cannot tear down a wall that we are secretly adding bricks to. This is part of the role of discipleship in the believer’s life: as we put away all that is sin, we strengthen in our ability to fight alongside Christ for those made in his Image.

Second, as we pull the planks from our own eyes, then we must begin to build up others. In families, mothers and fathers must continue to remind and engage their children with the truth of their beauty in the eyes of God, apart from any kind of success, external beauty, or power. I’m convinced that God created us as parents to speak truth into our children. It is our mandate to speak beauty into our childrens’ lives.

Beyond that, we need to seek out the “least of these,” and especially those that have been abused or oppressed. There are no shortage of organizations you can participate with in seeking to end human trafficking. (Here’s one that does great work in LA: https://www.afterhoursministry.org/) You can interact with your political representatives, demanding that they continue to strangle the pornography industry from our public places. You personally can stop buying into the economics driving pornography and be vocal about why.

Here’s what I love about this: as Christians begin feeding that fire for justice that God has placed within us, we will see miracles. Not necessarily the miracles of fire from heaven or water turned to wine, but the greater miracles of lives that were absolutely lost being found. What greater sign is there of the saving power and grace of Christ than of his beloved coming home?

Let’s feed the craving for justice, eliminate the planks within us, and maneuver indignation to action in our world, now. Don’t depend on an external news cycle to bring you satisfaction; depend on the Holy Spirit to change your world.

Signs and wonders, y’all.

“For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye? You hypcrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 6:2-5