For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops — Luke 12:2-3It may help sell newspaper but it is news that can make you sick to your stomach. A number of women, up to 60 thus far, have accused Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, age 65, of sexual harassment, assault, even rape. Weinstein was fired from his own company, the Weinstein Company, and was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Weinstein’s long, lucrative career is in tatters, even though he denies having ‘non-consensual’ sex.
Then award-winning actor Kevin Spacey has also been accused of harassment – mostly of men. His first accuser is actor Anthony Rapp of sexual advances in the 1980s when he was only 14 years old. Spacey says he does not remember the incident, offered an apology, and then had a ‘coming out’ as a gay man. Afterwards, other men came forward and claimed Spacey sexually harassed and/or assaulted them. That was enough to get Netflix to suspend indefinitely production of House of Cards, and not release Spacey’s film Gore. In addition, the film All the Money in the World will be re-filmed without Spacey, even though it is close to the release date.
How quickly these two powerful men have been professionally ‘slain by scandal.’ The fallout has been enormous and the retribution swift:
Of course, predatory sexual behaviour is not just limited to Hollywood and left-wing progressives. High-profile figures are getting exposed. One gubernatorial candidate and state supreme court judge decided to preempt everything by putting a Facebook post about the 50 ‘very attractive women’ he has bedded over 50 years (1 a year). This is not a way to advance your political career or prevent allegations of sexual harassment (though, no doubt, some men congratulated this man for his ‘sexploits’). Yet what has come out, in general, is deeply disturbing.
The sexual revolution of the 1960s can take some blame. Not only was that the period when Hollywood flagrantly forsook family-friendly entertainment for the violent, sensuous, and sleazy, but the revolution taught it was okay, even desirable, to break the rules of sexual morality. In such of environment, not only has there been more illicit sex, but also the abuse of sex, too.
Powerful people throughout history have abused those ‘lower down the totem pole.’ Some willingly submitted to the abuse in order to gain personal promotion and advantage, others simply were in the way. Abusive power is noxious.
Hypocrisy from the larger community is also to blame. High-profile people who advocated ‘woman’s rights’ decry male ‘micro-aggressions’ on social media but turned a blind eye to the serial abuser. Could it be that the latter donated a lot of money to their chosen political party or supported favoured politicians. somehow turned a blind-eye to the stories surfacing
Something we should all be aware: accountability is inevitable. Nothing will be covered up forever. Imagine: abuses that happened decades ago are brought up as today’s news? Abusers who thought they could continue on their rampage with impunity, and buy there way out of trouble, are finding that there are some things money can’t buy – grace, exoneration, cleansing, and forgiveness.
Even if an abuser escapes justice in this world, Romans 14:12 is clear: Every one of us will have to give account of themselves to God. Before we are tempted to take a ‘holier than thou’ mindset, remember we need to get our own hearts right first, and then help others do the same (Galatians 6:1). Repentance and faith in the gospel does miracles in turning a black-hearted individual into ‘pure in heart.’.
If you want to ‘scandal-proof’ your personal life, remember three things:
1. Live by the fear of the Lord (Proverb 16:6);
2. Walk according to the precepts of God’s Word (Psalm 119:11), and
3. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
You will be like Teflon where the grit and grime of the world will not stick but easily wash off.