Human trafficking is a grave injustice that involves exploiting human beings for labor or sex through force, fraud, or coercion. As Christians, it is important for us to understand what the Bible says about this important issue.
The Bible does not directly address the modern phenomena of human trafficking. However, there are many relevant principles and passages that give insight into God’s perspective on enslaving, exploiting, and abusing fellow human beings made in His image.
1. All people have inherent dignity and worth
The Bible teaches that all people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and thus have inherent dignity and worth. God values each person immensely. Dehumanization and commodification of human beings displeases God.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)
This truth rules out viewing or treating people as mere objects, property, products, or commodities to be exploited or traded. Human trafficking fails to recognize the worth and dignity of victims created in God’s image.
2. Manstealing is condemned
The Bible explicitly condemns “manstealing” which is essentially kidnapping someone to sell them as a slave. This is listed alongside other gross sins like murder, adultery, and lying (Exodus 21:16, 1 Timothy 1:10). The book of Revelation lists “slaves” as one of the commodities the wicked trade in (Revelation 18:13). Though forms of servitude were permitted in biblical times, kidnapping someone to enslave them for profit was a capital offense.
“Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.” (Exodus 21:16)
…understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:9-10)
Manstealing to profit from slavery rightly brings condemnation as it disregards human dignity and exploits the vulnerable.
3. God cares deeply for the vulnerable and oppressed
God promises to hear the cries of the exploited and cares deeply for the vulnerable and oppressed. He vouches to be a defender of the defenseless.
“You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry…(Exodus 22:22-23)
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. (Psalm 103:6)
The Bible is filled with verses commanding care and provision for the poor, needy and vulnerable in society. God pays special attention to those who are marginalized and without power or influence. Victims of human trafficking fit this description and fall under God’s care and concern.
4. Do not profit from or take advantage of others
The Bible discourages profiting from injustice or extortion (Ezekiel 22:12). Followers of Christ are exhorted not to take advantage of others even when the opportunity presents itself.
Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor. (Proverbs 28:8)
What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” (Romans 7:7)
Human traffickers clearly pay no heed to these biblical principles as the entire enterprise of human trafficking is built off intentionally profiting from exploiting the vulnerable. The Bible condemns such gross misconduct and taking advantage of others.
5. Love others, do not harm others
At the heart of Jesus’ teachings is the call to love God and love neighbor (Luke 10:27). Followers of Christ are to love others genuinely and seek their good, not harm them. The Golden Rule instructs people to treat others the way they would want to be treated (Luke 6:31).
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:31)
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
Clearly, the enterprise of human trafficking flies in the face of such ethical teachings. Victims endure terrible harm and the opposite of love. A biblical ethic of neighbor love stands against exploiting other human beings.
6. Do not engage in sexual immorality
Sex trafficking involves horrendous forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. The Bible consistently condemns sexual immorality in many forms including prostitution (1 Corinthians 6:15-16), rape (Deuteronomy 22:25-27), adultery (Exodus 20:14) and sexual relations outside of marriage (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Jesus even taught that lustfully looking at someone is sinful (Matthew 5:27-28). Sexual purity honors God and human dignity.
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)
Sex trafficking promotes egregious forms of sexual immorality and exploitation of human beings made in God’s image. It is utterly contradictory to biblical ethics of sexuality.
7. Do not participate in injustice
The Bible encourages Christ-followers to avoid being participants in injustice or oppression alongside commanding them to actively establish and uphold justice.
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. (Isaiah 1:17)
Rather than being passive and complicit, believers are told to avoid partnerships with wrongdoers and expose evil acts.
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5:11)
In the case of human trafficking, many are tempted to turn a blind eye and allow it to flourish through apathy, denial, or lack of awareness. But God’s word calls for action, advocacy, and disrupting patterns of injustice at work in society.
8. Set captives free, restore the oppressed
Along with avoiding participation in injustice, Scripture directs followers of God to enact justice – even to the point of liberating captives and restoring the oppressed.
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. (Isaiah 1:17)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18 NIV)
Early Christians saw freeing slaves and redeeming captives as a manifestation of their faith. The Bible envisions a community where the oppressed find deliverance and restoration.
Though slavery was culturally accepted in ancient times, the biblical conception of justice pushed God’s people to fight for liberation from oppression. Similarly, believers today cannot passively accept the enslavement and trafficking of human beings made in God’s image. Working towards freedom and empowerment for victims honors Biblical values.
9. Systems and laws should uphold human dignity
The Bible portrays God establishing laws and social systems designed to protect vulnerable people from exploitation. For example, the Year of Jubilee mandated the freeing of slaves every 50 years to prevent generational exploitation (Leviticus 25:10). Laws prohibited returning escaped slaves (Deuteronomy 23:15). God desires societal arrangements that honor dignity.
And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you (Leviticus 25:10)
Laws and social systems infected by sin often fail to uphold justice and human dignity. But Scripture envisions societies ordered and governed in ways curbing oppression and providing equity.
Though imperfect, a country’s laws can play a key role in combatting human trafficking when shaped by principles of justice, compassion and human dignity.
10. Raising awareness is important
The book of Proverbs indicates that lack of awareness and oversight allows injustice to thrive. Evil men get away with wicked schemes when no one pays attention or understands what is occurring.
When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. (Proverbs 28:2 NLT)
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. (Proverbs 11:14 NIV)
Exposing evil relies on raising awareness and equipping people with understanding. Though not explicitly stated, the Bible seems to indicate that education counteracts exploitation by empowering people for positive action.
Raising awareness about human trafficking through education enables more people to recognize warning signs, report suspicious activities to authorities and advocate for reform. Knowledge and publicity are key antidotes to the hidden injustices trafficking depends on.
Conclusion
Human trafficking utterly contradicts biblical values of justice, human dignity, sexual purity, compassion, freedom, and neighbor love. Though the Bible does not explicitly mention modern trafficking, the relevant ethical principles firmly denounce exploiting vulnerable human lives for profit and pleasure. Scripture upholds ideals in polar opposition to the horrors of human trafficking.
Rather than passivity or denial, believers must open their eyes to what is happening, choose to not participate in systems perpetuating injustice, and actively work to defend victims made in God’s image. May God’s people lead the way in promoting awareness, advocating for the oppressed, establishing just laws and social structures, providing restorative care, and working towards freedom for those trapped in slavery.