The term "molests" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of causing harm, particularly of a sexual nature, is addressed through various laws and teachings that emphasize the protection of individuals, especially the vulnerable, from abuse and exploitation. The Bible consistently upholds the dignity and sanctity of every human being, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and provides moral and legal frameworks to prevent and address acts of harm.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses contains numerous statutes aimed at protecting individuals from harm and ensuring justice. For instance, Deuteronomy 22:25-27 addresses the issue of sexual violence, prescribing severe penalties for those who commit such acts: "But if in the open country a man finds a girl who is betrothed, and he seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die. But you shall do nothing to the girl; there is no sin worthy of death, for this case is like that of a man who attacks and murders his neighbor."

The protection of the vulnerable, including women and children, is a recurring theme. Exodus 22:22-24 warns against mistreating widows and orphans, highlighting God's concern for those who might be easily exploited: "You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children fatherless."

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to emphasize the protection of the vulnerable and the call to love and respect one another. Jesus' teachings elevate the importance of caring for the "least of these" (Matthew 25:40), which includes protecting them from harm. In Matthew 18:6, Jesus issues a stern warning against causing harm to children: "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

The apostle Paul, in his letters, also underscores the importance of moral purity and respect for others. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6, Paul writes: "For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God; and no one should ever harm or cheat his brother in this matter, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already warned you and testified."

Moral and Ethical Implications

The biblical mandate is clear: individuals are called to live in a manner that honors God and respects the dignity of others. The Bible's teachings against sexual immorality, exploitation, and harm serve as a foundation for understanding the gravity of acts that could be described as molestation. The call to love one's neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:31) inherently includes the responsibility to protect others from harm and to seek justice for those who have been wronged.

The Bible's overarching narrative of redemption and restoration offers hope and healing for victims of abuse, emphasizing God's justice and mercy. Believers are encouraged to be agents of God's love and justice, advocating for the protection of the vulnerable and the restoration of those who have been harmed.

The Struggle for Life
... Neither molests the other; they have no connection with each other. Yet
it is not so. That savage is the victim of a conspiracy. ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter vi the struggle for.htm

The Bliss of the Glorified
... the fullness of it. They are rid at all that molests us here, and they enjoy
more than we as yet can imagine. Cheer your hearts, ye ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the bliss of the glorified.htm

The Soul Ought not to be Disquieted, nor Draw Back in the ...
... But thou'lt say, that it is not the work of the Devil, when he molests thee by means
of creatures, but the effect of thy neighbours fault and malice, in having ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap ix the soul ought.htm

Dwelling in Mesech. Ps 120:5-7
... There, believers, we shall rest,. Free from sorrow, sin and fears; Nothing
there our peace molests,. Through eternal rounds of years. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 51 dwelling in mesech.htm

That the Catholic Faith May be Confirmed Even by the Dissensions ...
... By these and similar depraved manners and errors of men, those who will live piously
in Christ suffer persecution, even when no one molests or vexes their body ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 51 that the catholic faith.htm

Further Explanation of the Same Subject; Explains this Prayer. The ...
... Afterwards, when he sees the Bride is wholly given to her Bridegroom, he is afraid
to interfere, having learnt by experience that if he molests her, while he ...
/.../the interior castle or the mansions/chapter iv further explanation of.htm

Epistle Lvi. To Cornelius in Exile, Concerning his Confession.
... Does he now acknowledge who is the priest of God; which is the Church and the house
of Christ; who are God's servants, whom the devil molests; who the ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lvi to cornelius in.htm

2 Cor. xi. 21
... charge of but a single house, and hath servants and superintendents and stewards,
often cannot take breath for cares, though there be none that molests him: he ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxv 2 cor xi.htm

The Believer not an Orphan. "I Will not Leave You Comfortless: I ...
... It is so natural in little children, when some big boy molests them, to say,
"I'll tell my father!" How often did we use to say so, and how often have we heard ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the believer not an orphan.htm

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... For man reasons thus: The body or the spirit is vexed by assaults and temptations
of Satan, and he troubles or molests it, therefore God is angry with it, and ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

Molests (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Molests (1 Occurrence). Genesis 26:11 Abimelech
commanded all the people, saying, "He who touches this ...
/m/molests.htm - 6k

Troubler (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who troubles or disturbs; one who afflicts or
molests; a disturber; as, a troubler of the peace. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/troubler.htm - 8k

Moli
Moli. Molests, Moli. Molid . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MOLI.
mo'-li. See MOOLI. Molests, Moli. Molid . Reference Bible.
/m/moli.htm - 6k

Molested (1 Occurrence)

/m/molested.htm - 6k

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