A spiritual vacuum cannot exist. When people turn away from God, whether in the past or in the present, whether in the teaching of the Church, in private life, or public policy, idolatry moves in and cruelty to children quickly follows. Idolatry, the worship of whatever gods are elevated to the high places of the human heart is, in reality, only an expression of the lower nature, It is a means of giving social sanction and personal approval to the sordid practices of lust and hatred toward that which interferes with our own plan. Where idolatry is practiced, the truth of God's Word is compromised and children, among others, become targets of infanticide, exploitation and cruelty of every kind. Our faithfulness to God's Word can be measured by the way we treat our children.
Children are the enemy.
The 32 million abortions, unprecedented sexual exploitation of children, the rising tide of child abuse - all are indications that we are becoming like Israel who turned from God, lusting after the practices of the peoples around them. The final stage of degeneration occurred when God's people sank to the level of sacrificing their own children. We grow discouraged as we see our nation and even many churches imitating Israel in its tragic rebellion against God. But, there was hope then, even as there is now. He who bore our sins in His body on the tree also bore the sin of infanticide and cruelty to children.