- God created sex as a gift for mankind. It's a good thing. God is not embarrassed by sex or ashamed of it. It's also a powerful thing. And when he created it God designed it to be used safely inside the monogamous relationship of marriage. Increasingly today we see God's 'safety net' for sex being ignored and people everywhere reaping the consequences. many are trapped with sexual addictions and shameful secrets that they feel powerless to overcome.
- By sexual sin, we mean lust, pornography and emotional affairs etc. The top three effects are:
- Job says about sexual sin 'it uproots our harvest', meaning in some way, it destroys other things that we are working for. Some people work so hard all their lives for things only to see them destroyed. It seems so peculiar until you look under the surface and find sexual sin. The bible says sexual sin is one of the only sins where man sins against himself.
- Leviticus 4:3 'If the priest sins it brings guilt upon the people.' When you sin sexually everyone who is under your spiritual authority is affected. That is a sobering thought if you are a parent, or small group leader. Particularly sobering if you are in eldership or leadership in a church setting.
- Proverbs 6:26 '...the adulteress preys upon your very life.' Something of my life, my very soul is damaged through sexual sin. Although in a moment it feels wonderful, the aftermath is toxic and damaging.
- The above list is not meant to disable us but to enable us. God in his grace tells us the truth so that we desire freedom! he has put healthy boundaries around sex not to spoil our fun but to protect us from the damage that's caused by illicit sex. The damage is real - only a fool denies it. The question is simply this - how do we get free and stay free?
- Meditate on the damage of sexual sin: to meditate means to 'chew over'. Do you really believe that God's word is true when it tells you the effects of sin? Really? Then why do you keep sinning. The truth is that we don't believe it! we think we will get away from it. You don't put your hand in a fire because you really, truly believe that it will hurt you. However, our hearts are so deceived that even though we have been burnt by sexual sin in the past, we think that 'this time' I'll get away with it. The more we meditate and believe what the scripture says about the damage of sexual sin, the more we will run from it.
- Step into Christ:
- As we gaze on Jesus and meditate on Him, we are transformed into his image. Developing intimacy with Jesus is the number 1 weapon. Romans 13:13 "let us behave decently in the day time, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery,not in dissension and jealousy. rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
- Find out what need it is feeding e.g. revelation that pornography is most often not about sex but about intimacy. People who struggle with porn are usually not craving sex they are craving intimacy. feed the need of intimacy with healthy friendships from Christ, other men and women and you won't feel so hungry to satisfy them illegitimately.
- Call on the Lord WITH FAITH for a new heart - it's your inheritance
- Start to confess daily that you will be free from this.
- Learn some scriptures and confess them daily...... even if you blew it the night before e.g. Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me......" Romans 6:4 - 12
- Christ did everything necessary for us to walk in freedom. The area of sexual sin is not the only area that the church is battling today but it is the major one. The consequences of a generation of Christians losing this fight cannot be contemplated. We must fight, and we must win because Jesus is victorious over every sin and He paid the price for a pure and holy bride that loves and is faithful to him over everything else.
- Accountability
- There is nothing like confessing sin to a close friend or even better, small group leader to break the hold of shame and guilt. Don't pick someone who is battling with the same issue. They can't help you. Find someone who is free and be accountable to them.
- Set boundaries and make covenants with yourself
- Recognise the fight is day by day, little by little......
Summarised handout....
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