hey guys,
I've reached proverbs 5 and been heavily convicted since last week to talk about sexual purity. I am fully aware that this is not a popular subject, and that there will most likely be a few of you who would be extremely offended that I am even bringing this up. This is not meant to target any particular persons but it is my fervant prayer that it hits every single one of us. God takes sexual purity very very seriously, Matthew 5 (see below) tells us that our salvation can be affirmed or disproven based on what we do w/ sexual temptations - so while being pure doesn't save us, striving for purity indicates that we are saved.
The bulk of what Im sharing this week comes from a sermon by Rick Holland at Resolved 2009 conference, I've included the link below and I highly recommend listening - it is one of a handful of sermons I can claim to have heard over 20 times (i do mean that literally). The sermon follows Proverbs 5 and offers 6 good strategies, try all of them. I've personally found 5 and 6 to work best for me.
1) Undertake the pursuit of biblical instructions (v1-2)
Pretty self explanatory, I would simply add that biblical instruction is not limited to bible, but extends to pastoral oversight and accountability w/ Godly friends. I have never been ridiculed, put down, or ostracized for sharing my personal struggles and im confident that the Barnabas'es God placed in ur life won't either.
2) Undress the deception of the adulteress (v3-6)
Adulteress here can mean man, woman, computer screens, movies, novels, newspapers - it is anything and everything that would tempt us sexually outside of marriage even if it's only a flicker of thought. See that these things and ppl do not ponder how they're leading us down a path of addiction and spiritual ruin.
3) Understand the value of safe distance (v7-8)
Rick introduced the concept of the joseph principle here (see genesis 39), it is simply to flee from all temptations. Don't tempt boundaries with the opposite gender in what you can or can't do. If u need guidelines in "how close is too close?" ask urself this honest question, "is the Glory of God on my mind when i interact with this person?" Failing that, humbly subscribe to strategy 1. Never assume that purity is something that can be attained or maintained through will power alone, we need ppl/God's help - 13 years of experience since puberty confirms this for me over and over again.
4) Unmask the regret of sin's aftermath (v9-14)
emotional scarring isn't only for married couples! what we do in our singleness matters to our future spouses and it matters to God. In "going all the way," there is the very real risk of std and pregnancy; in indulging in pornography there is desensitization of our senses and the habit of dehumanizing the opposite gender into a collection of parts; in ignoring gender boundaries there is risk of damaged relationships that are dear to us. Most importantly, for every single act of sin we actively pursue in our lives, God is mocked, and we fail as witnesses to our unbelieving friends. v9-14 asks the question, is all of this worth our indulgences?
5) Unlock the satisfaction of marrital intimacy (v15-20)
In v15, we are encouraged to find satisfaction in the love of our spouses (not the marriage bed) - that in doing so would keep us from temptations. This has tremendous application for singles as well. For me, I constantly resolve to keep myself pure and practice sexual purity for the sake of my future wife. If i am to believe aunty jane and whole hordes of female readers in this thread (=P), God has someone in mind for me. If that is so, then I am responsible for acting as if i am already married.
6) Unleash the power of God's omniscience (v21)
My own personal strategy of choice, God sees everything, we forget this so often and we take for granted how much He forgives us daily. Remind yourself that your life, body and mind does not belong to you but to God, that He purchased us by blood. Some of you have noticed I started wearing a crucifix a while back, it serves as a constant reminder that I belong to Him and has stopped me from sinning so many times. Get reminders for yourself - it can be a cross, a wwjd bracelet, a verse you chant to urself whenever u get tempted, ANYTHING - jus always remember that God watches and is in a constant state of loving u.
I am so far from perfect. Everytime i take a step towards God i become so painfully aware how far i am from Him. I've won and lost battles, sometimes on a daily basis. This week, I want to encourage everyone, out of their salvation and love for our Lord, to strive for sexual purity.
http://www.resolved.org/media.aspx
Happy Wednesday,
Edward
"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery wiht her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." - Matthew 5:28-29
"It is God's will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honourable..." - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
More penguins!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cevs63S5XLo
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