The Epstein Files Highlight Once More Why God’s Laws are the Best Laws

A vote is expected this week in the House of Representatives, possibly even as early as Tuesday, to release the files in the Jeffrey Epstein case – the disgraced late financier and convicted sex offender who operated a massive trafficking ring that included young girls.

Tens of thousands of emails were already released last week highlighting a wide array of exchanges between Epstein and others. It’s all very sordid and despicable. From the beginning, the case has been tabloid and partisan fodder on a very large scale because it has allegedly involved high profile individuals doing very bad things.

Epstein’s death in prison back in 2019 added another layer of controversy and conspiracy. Dr. Al Mohler, president of Southern Seminary, succinctly summed up the entire spectacle when he wrote, “Epstein’s case represents the intersection of power and crime, sin and celebrity, wealth and politics.”

To be clear, the tragic saga doesn’t only just involve sexual immorality but also sexual abuse and criminal behavior.

The case also stands as a timeless illustration and example of why God’s laws are the best laws and the laws that should be shaping and informing our behavior.

A lot of individuals are nervous about what’s in those files because a good many of them have ignored or disregarded God’s guidance and commandments regarding the sanctity of marriage and the importance of sexual purity.

We read in Exodus, “You shall not commit adultery” (20:14) – a clear and concise prohibition of sexual relations outside of the marital covenant. In delivering the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ strict warning leaves no room for even flirtation: “Anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mark 5:28).

The Apostle Paul echoed this teaching, emphasizing, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity” (Eph. 5:3). He also reminded believers in Corinth, “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord” (1 Cor. 6:13).

There’s a reason the Bible has so much to say about sexual sin. It’s because it’s destructive – and also an ageless problem.

Martin Luther warned that lust and sexual sin were rooted in unbelief – that we just don’t trust God to meet our every need and desire. Charles Spurgeon called it the “crying sin of our land.” Decades ago, Dr. Billy Graham observed, “Our young people have very little restraint placed on them. In many universities religion is frowned on and sexual freedom is idolized.”

The sordidness of the Epstein saga is tempting to ignore, but Christians don’t need to dig too deeply into the offensive drama to use it as a teaching moment, especially for young people. At a very base level, the lessons are clear. As Paul wrote, we’re to, “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body” (Eph. 6:18).

He also wrote:

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain “(Phil. 2:14-16).

There are a lot of opinions on where the Epstein story should go from here. Many are exhausted and disgusted by it. Others are exercised and mystified. But regardless of where you fall, we should all be able to agree: The wickedness of Epstein makes abundantly clear that the morally straight life is the best life.