Lust and Sexual Immorality

Not to turn this into a Bible Thumpin' Blog.
But I just had a big Bible Study with my friends and spent three days writing this devotional.


Lust and Sexual Immorality
What is it?
Sexual Immorality is: According to the Bible sex between male and female, outside of marriage is immoral. The same applies to sex between the same gender. A person who is married and has an affair with another person is considered to have committed adultery. Sex between a man and a woman outside of marriage is fornication.

What is immoral: deliberately violating accepted principles of right and wrong

So what’s the big deal?
We’re human
We’ve got emotions, hormones, one heck of a sex drive.
We’re guys too…
Excuses? Not so much.

2 Timothy 2:22 says, Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

FLEE THE EVIL DESIRES OF YOUTH?
AND STOP MY FACEBOOKING?
(Yeah right!)

Well, actually it isn’t as hard you might think. When you’re feeling tempted, by the Internet, turn the computer off. You see, when you distance yourself away from those things, those temptations that take you away from God and his love, you’re doing yourself a mega-favor. Besides saving yourself a lot of confessing later, you’re telling the Devil that you’re stronger than he is. You’re also building up a barrier to help you when you feel tempted again later.
God tests us.
He likes to do that…
Sometimes—it feels like a little too much though. When you’re tested you say internally, “I can’t handle this situation, God,” and by translation you’re saying that God is wrong. (That’s not a good idea). You see, God has a plan for everything. The trials and tribulations that you face are to make you stronger.
Paul sent a great letter to Corinth telling them how to live good and God-centered lives. Corinth, you might note, was a big sex capital back in the day. We’re talking big time prostitution, idolatry, and SEX SEX SEX EVERYWHERE! In fact, “Corinthian girl” was just another word for a prostitute—and “To play the Corinthian,” meant to visit a house of prostitution…So Paul had some big time adversity to face—especially when it came to sex.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Well—sounds like there is some safety in the midst of lust then. I mean, God doesn’t just leave us stranded, right? (NO). You see, God wants us to live pure lives. Purity—by today’s standards are quite jaded compared to Biblical times, but we as Christians should keep them the same.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5&7 says, 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 honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God…For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but GOD, who gives you His Holy Spirit.

So this means what?
That every time I check out the latest porn updates I’m sinning?
Like, duh.

What about sex? I mean, sex isn’t necessarily lusting if you’re in love, right?
But let’s look at someone famous who gave into sex—and paid for it with his life.
Samson—ultra-stud with ultra-strength hooked up with the illustrious prostitute, Delilah. He ‘fell-in-lust’ with her, gave her a few rounds in the sack, and spilled his guts to her. So—what happened? She cut off his hair, his eyes were gouged out, and he ended up dying with one last feat of strength, bringing down this huge temple and killing mostly everyone else there too.

But like, my life isn’t that bad, and my girlfriend and I are in love.
Good for you.

Sex can wait, sir. Consider sex like a gift at Christmas. About the time you start lusting, thinking about sex, whatever you do, is about early December when your parents stuffed the tree full of these beautifully wrapped presents. Everyday you see these presents and you think that opening just one of them will be okay before Christmas…So you open up one of your gifts and it’s this video game that you’ve been wanting for SOOOOO long. But your parents find out, and though the gift was destined for you, they are disappointed that you couldn’t control yourself.
Now relate THAT to sex.
Sex is gift between people who are MARRIED. Even if you’re with the one person who you’re going to spend the rest of your life with, doesn’t mean that you have the right to have sex before you get married. What’s so great about sex anyway?

It’s fun, exciting, new, I’m super close with my girlfriend…

Well I’m glad for you—but there are better ways of being close to someone. If you need to get off that bad, then you really need to talk to God. PRAY! PRAY HARD! Pray for the strength to overcome the temptation to have sex. In fact, when you get into a relationship—set down rules. “Okay, ______ can we both agree that sex may be good, but we will both wait?” If she says no, then you need to revaluate your relationship. Just like a girl is worth waiting for, so are YOU.


I once was seeing a girl who had been sexually active in the past, but I let her know right away that I wasn’t dating her to have sex with her. Needless to say, we never ‘went’ anywhere. Which is okay with me, she’s got a relationship with someone else and I hope that he makes her happy. But I’ve chosen not to have sex and I’m almost 20 years old. There are better ways to spend my time. Besides, God WILL NOT make a blessing out of your sex life.
I have a good friend who has been dating a girl for about three years now and they’re sexually active. As a Christian, he’s had very high highs and very low low’s. Most recently, I think he started to realize the faults of his ways and he straightened their relationship out by putting God between them. He even admitted to me one night that their sex wasn’t doing anything for the relationship. It made it complicated, overly emotional, and took it away from the care that they once had to a habit they had to consummate after every date.

Well…my girlfriend and I already have sex…
Yeah, so what?
So, how can I let her know that we shouldn’t have sex anymore?

That’s easy. COMMUNICATE. You see, we are all Children of God. We are HIS children through Christ, our Savior. So if you guys are having sex, then you’re not only causing yourself to sin, but you’re causing her to sin as well. Even if she’s the instigator in the sex, sex—most times—is pretty mutual. If you’re having a problem saying no, then you really need to reevaluate your relationship. God doesn’t want us to sin, and he will continue forgiving us, but when you make a conscious effort to intentionally sin, you’re hurting not only yourself, but God.
And don’t think sex is just what you see on the movies. Sex can be anything that leads to an orgasm or causes you to sin. There aren’t any loopholes for sex. God is very clear that he wants us to wait to have sex. So whether you’ve got a girlfriend or you’re single—anything that leads to an orgasm (outside of marriage) is a sin, essentially. Because you’re either having sex or you’re fantasizing and we’ve already covered sexual fantasies.
So if you’ve been having sex and you want to stop—communicate. If she tells you that she wants to continue your sexual relationship, then you need to let her know that it isn’t pleasing to God. If she still persists, then she’s probably not the girl for you. (despite what you might think in the moment). Don’t surrender just because she has your classring or your heart—persist and be strong. God will back you up.
The biggest fault of most people’s relationship is that they don’t communicate what they need. If you feel truly convicted, then God will back you up 100%. He won’t leave you hanging.
Jesus said this in John 14:12-14, I tell you the truth; anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

IN JESUS’ NAME, MAKE ME A MILLIONAIRE!
Sorry, it doesn’t work that way.

You see there has to be the attitude that we are unworthy of receiving God’s love. The only reason why He even considers giving us what we ask for us because JESUS died for US on the cross. It’s because of His Son that we might live on Earth and in Heaven. So when we realize that we’re unworthy of the gifts that God has for us, but because of Christ, we’re able to receive them, then God grants these things.

So like, if I ask for a new Mustang because my old one is like 4 years old and I acknowledge that Jesus died for me, I’ll get one?
Again, not really. Why do you NEED a new Mustang? You WANT one. Perhaps you NEED a car. Well, God will provide you with what you need if you just ask, even if that is just a ride to get where you need to get going.

But we’re not talking about cars here, are we? No, we’re talking about lust, sex, and other things that we’re tempted with. So when we’re tempted, we need to admit that—firstly, we’re being tempted. Acknowledge aloud, “Okay, I’m being tempted, I need strength to overcome this.”

And that’s it?
No, there’s more.

After you’ve admitted that you’re being tempted, you have to pray for strength. Pray for way out of the situation and then do like 2 Timothy says and FLEE. Get away from that particular section of Barnes and Nobles. Log off the computer, don’t even bother saying goodbye to your friends. The longer you’re in the face of temptation, the harder it’s going to get (no pun intended). Just put some space between you and that problem. Then, call up a Christian friend. If it’s late, open up your Bible and read some scripture. There’s nothing better than reminding yourself of WHO you are.

You were bought with the blood of Christ.
That’s a pretty hefty price.
Like…waaaay more than a house. (For sure)

So, remind yourself that you’re a Christian—that giving into temptation is wrong and then celebrate that you TRIUMPHED over it. Sure, you might feel like you’re doing yourself an injustice for about ten minutes…But seriously, what’s better? Ten minutes of mediocrity and fake boobs, or an eternity spent in Heaven?

Finally—there’s one more thing that you should protect.
I know—I know—wrap it before you tap it…
Seriously? Before all of that—your mind.
Like helmets, right!?
Something like that—but more in a spiritual sense.

The Bible talks about the Armor of God. That armor is spiritual in a since, you’re not really equipping yourself with a physical helmet, but more of a spiritual and mental one.
Equip yourself with the Helmet of Salvation and guard your thoughts. The Bible talks a lot about your thoughts—stating it bluntly and very straightforwardly, Above everything guard your mind, Because from it flows your life, Proverbs 4:23.
Think of your mind like a river—flowing into your body. If a nuclear power plant is built upstream from a bunch of farmers, those farmers are going to be suffering horribly from disease, infection, mutation, and death. That’s because that nuclear power plant is putting off nasty chemicals and toxic waste into the river. Same idea goes for your mind, so you’ve got to keep it clean or else it will cause your body to sin… For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord—Roman 6:23.

Well—I’m a really strong willed guy. I can control my thoughts!
Right—have you ever sinned? If you have, then you’re not strong enough. That’s why you can’t go about this alone. As a Christian man, you’re able to put on the Armor of God and that Helmet of Salvation.
But what does that mean exactly?
It means that you fill your mind with Bible verses, pure thoughts, and Godly things.

Phillipians 4:8 gives us a good example, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Things that God would want you to think about. That means—no negativity, no hate, no lust, no sexual fantasies

Tall order—isn’t it? (with God, nothing is too tall of an order).

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. Hebrews 3:1.
You see how it mentions brothers? That means you’re not alone. Each day, we as men face the constant battle of lusting after women in our minds. It’s almost impossible to miss since on every commercial there is a naked woman prancing around in a bra. The billboards that are propped up every five feet along the interstate suggest that you should visit the sexy woman at the “Lion’s Den XXX Playhouse.” So it’s really hard to control our thoughts. Again, that’s why you’ve got each other. God’s gift to us, besides His wonderful Son and Salvation is each other. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another” That means that we’re supposed to keep each other accountable—keep each other on track…You can’t expect your secular friends to keep you accountable when they don’t realize that the lust they have for that Victoria’s Secret model is wrong. But your Christian brothers do.

Well my Christian friends are really far away.
So are mine.
So, like, what do I do about that?

This is the twenty-first century, right? That means you’ve got text messaging, IM, Facebook Chat, or many other means of communication that you can talk to your Christian brothers with. And God has a funny way of putting Christians in your life when you need them. So just ask God—and ye shall receive.

Well I don’t fantasize about every girl I see along the street.

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28

Oh…
Yeah, Oh…

Not only do we have to train our minds to think positively and purely…but we also have to train our eyes and our bodies. Unfortunately, it’s not something that you can do it in a day. But the point is that you start trying. If you’ve got a lustful thought, throw up a prayer to the big G.O.D. and ask Him to fill your mind with something Holy. Ask him to provide a way out of that particular situation and then WRENTCH your eyes away from that girl. Eventually you’ll learn to look upon women without thinking lustful thoughts—but only with the help of Christ.
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess (Hebrews 3:1).
If you do this—your life is going to be so much better. Constantly ask yourself, whether you’re doing something you might think is wrong, know is wrong, or anything that is a ‘gray’ area. Ask yourself, ‘Would Jesus do this?’ It’s that simple little expression that can save you so much regret later, my Brother.
If you stumble, though, don’t beat yourself up for it. God forgives us. That’s the reason why Christ died on the cross. So that we would be forgiven.

So if I accidently let it slip and then oops—I ask for forgiveness?
Accidentally? You can’t accidently type into your URL browser your favorite porno site.

You should still ask for forgiveness, but on top of that—you should probably ask God for some more self-control, some productive ways to keep your mind off of whatever it’s wondering over, or perhaps a friend to keep you accountable.
We’re all going to make mistakes, and that shouldn’t hinder you from pursuing God. Every great runner slips sometimes—James 3:2 says, We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check…That’s why we have each other and Christ in us…to pick each other and ourselves back up…and keep on running the race.