God's View on Sex (Part 3 of 3)

Greetings All,

This will be the last installment on God's Views On Sex unless you go to the Word on your own. Those of us who have been *saved* for any length of time can tell you that the Holy Spirit will allow certain Scripture to jump out at us when He wants to get our attention. We may have read the same chapter every day for months and it was about God's amazing love. Then the day you really needed to hear from the Lord...... He's right on time.  SO MEN PLEASE LISTEN UP!

"Why Does Proverbs Include So Many Warnings About Unauthorized Sex?"

(Proverbs 5:3)  "For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech;"  

This "Adulteress Woman" is a Prostitute. Proverbs includes many warnings against unauthorized sex for several reasons: (1) A lady of the evening's charm is used as an example of any temptation to do wrong or to leave the pursuit of Wisdom. (2) As previously mentioned, sexual immorality of any kind was and still is notably dangerous. It destroys family life. It disintegrates a person's ability to love.  It degrades human beings and turns them into objects. It can lead to disease. it can result in unwanted children. (3)  Remember Sexual Immorality is against God's law. In Corinthians 6, teachings about sexual immorality and prostitutes was especially important for the Corinthian Church because the temple of the love goddess Aphrodite was in Corinth. Paul clearly stated that Christians are to have no part in sexual immorality, even if it is acceptable and popular in our culture. Back in 1 Corinthians 4 Paul told the Corinthians  to imitate him. Men we ought to listen to the man of God. Now Paul was able to make this statement because he walked close to God,  spent time in God's Word and in prayer, and was aware of God's presence in his life at all times. Paul wasn't expecting others to imitate everything he did, but they should imitate those aspects of his beliefs and conduct that were modeling Christ's way of living.

"In Sexual Sin Someone Always Gets Hurt"         

(Proverbs 6:25-35) Let's be honest in the past how many times have you thought that it is right to break God's law against sexual sin especially if nobody  gets hurt. If truth be told, somebody always gets hurt. Men, spouses are devastated. Children are scarred. The partners themselves, even if they escape disease and unwanted pregnancy, lose their ability to fulfill commitments, to feel sexual desire, to trust and to be entirely open with another person. God's laws are not arbitrary. They do not forbid good, clean fun; rather, they were used against destroying ourselves through unwise actions or running ahead of God's timetable.  In Romans 1:26-27  We're reminded of God's plan for natural sexual relationships for his creation, you and me. Unfortunately, sin distorts the natural use of God's gifts. Sin frequently means not only denying God, but also denying the way we are made. When people say that any sex act is acceptable as long as nobody gets hurt, they are fooling themselves. Brothers can we talk, In the long run  ( and often in the short run), sin hurts people - individuals, families, whole societies. How sad it is that people who worship the things God made instead of the creator so often distort and destroy the very things they claim to value!

Men homosexuality was as widespread in Paul's day as it is in ours today. Many pagan practices encouraged such behavior. Our God is willing to receive anyone who comes to him in faith, and Christians should love and accept others no matter what their background. Yet, homosexuality is strictly forbidden in scriptures (Leviticus 18:22). "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."  Sexual desires and activities must be placed under Christ's control. God created sex for procreation and pleasure, and as an expression of love between a husband and wife. Sexual experience must be limited to marriage, to avoid hurting ourselves, our relationship to God, and our relationships with others.  

"Ways To Avoid Sexual Sins"

Proverbs 7:25-27   There are precise steps you can take to avoid sexual sins, first, guard your mind. Don't read books, look at pictures, or encourage fantasies that stimulate the wrong desires. Second, keep away from settings and friends that tempt you to sin. Third, don't think only of the moment - focus on the future. Today's thrill may lead to tomorrow's ruin.

"Committing Mental Adultery"

You have heard that it was said, you shall not Commit Adultery;  (28) But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Back in Exodus 20:14  You shall not commit adultery. But Jesus said that the desire to have sex with someone other than your Spouse is Mental Adultery and thus Sin. Jesus emphasized that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention. Men to be faithful to our Spouse with our body but not our mind is to break the trust so vital to a strong marriage. Jesus is not condemning natural interest in the opposite sex or even healthy sexual desire, but the deliberate and repeated filling of ones mind with fantasies that would be evil if acted out.  Some think that if lustful thoughts are sin, why shouldn't a person go ahead and do the lustful actions too?  Acting out sinful desires is harmful in several ways:  (1) It causes people to excuse sin rather than to stop sinning;  (2) It destroys marriages;  (3) It is deliberate rebellion against God's Word; (4) It always hurts some one else in addition to the sinner. Sinful action is more dangerous than sinful desire, and that is why desires should not be acted out. nevertheless, sinful desire is just as damaging to righteousness. Left unchecked, wrong desires will result in wrong actions and turn people away from God. We are in a battle for our lives and the lives of our families. If we stay Pure, Clean and Healthy in the Lord, what chance will our families have in the long run. Remember when Jesus said to get rid of your hand or your eye, he was speaking figuratively. He didn't mean to actually gouge out your eye, because even a blind person can lust. But if that were the only choice, it would be better to go into heaven with one eye or hand than to go to hell with too. Sometimes we abide sins in our lives that, left unchecked, could eventually destroy us. Brothers it is better to experience the pain of removal  (getting rid of a bad habit or something we treasure, for instance) than to allow the sin to bring judgment and condemnation.  Men SCRUTINIZE your life for anything that causes you to sin, then take proper precautions to remove it.

Have a wonderful Christmas in the Lord and please remember God's Views on Sex.

Humbly Yours in Christ,

              Jim

God's View on Sex (Part 2 of 3)

 I heard from a few of you yesterday and all I can say is "God be the glory"...  Strap in and let's continue on this journey into the bible.

"WHY DID GOD INCLUDE SO MANY LAWS ABOUT SEXUAL SINS"?

(Deut.22:13-30)   Laws on Morality were given to God's chosen people and also for us today. Instructions about sexual behavior would have been essential for three million people on a 40 - year camping trip. But they would by equally important when they entered the Promised land and settled down as a nation. In the book of Colossians chapter 3:5-8, Paul recognizes the importance of having carved in stone rules about sex for believers because sexual sins have the power to disrupt and destroy the church. Are you strapped in? Sins involving sex are not innocent dabbling in forbidden pleasures, as is so often portrayed, but powerful destroyers of relationships. They confuse and tear down the characteristics of respect, trust, and credibility so essential for solid marriages and secure children. Brothers it's time for us to stop being selfish, when we cheat on our spouse, in whatever form it maybe self gratitude can open the door to the pit. Before I inadvertently forget to list Colossians 3:5-8 "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. (6) For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, (7) and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. (8) But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth".

"HOW TO COMBAT TEMPTATION"

(Judges 16:15)  We've all read about Sampson and Delilah and more important how Delilah deceived Sampson as the serpent in the garden deceived Eve. The serpent was described as more crafty than any beast in the field. Now, Delilah thought that she was more clever than others. Men how do we keep our desire for love and sexual pleasure from deceiving us?  (1) We must decide ahead of time what kind of woman we will entertain as our possible mate for life. My son is in his early thirties and he is still single and walking with the Lord. Everyday I'm praying for the Godly woman, that our Lord is preparing for my son. Determine whether a person's character and faith in God are as desirable as his or her physical appearance. (2) Men, most of the time that we spend with our wives will not involve sex, our companion's personality, temperament, and our duty to solve problems must be as gratifying as that special thing that makes your wife melt, or your or her kisses. (3) Men be patient... Remember that we are searching for your life long partner. It's OK to take a second or even a third look. Often will reveal what is under the surface. I'm not referring to what she looks like when the makeup is off but what she's like when it's just you and her.

"WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MARRIAGE"                             

(Genesis 2:18-24) Marriage is God's idea - (Genesis 24:58-60) Commitment is essential to a Successful Marriage - (Song 4:9-10) Romance is important - (Jeremiah 33:10-11) Marriage holds times of great joy - (Malachi 2:14-15) Marriage creates the best environment for raising children - (Matthew 5:32) Unfaithfulness breaks the bond of trust, the foundation of all relationships - (Matthew 19:6) Marriage is permanent - (Romans 7:2-3) Ideally, only death should dissolve marriage - (Ephesians 5:21-33) Marriage is based on the principled practice of love, not on feelings - (Ephesians 5:23,32) Marriage is a living symbol of Christ and the church - (Hebrews 13:4) Marriage is good and honorable.

"RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRIDE AND SEXUAL IMMORALITY"     

Men no matter how you look at another woman who is in sexual sin. An adulteress is a seductive woman or a prostitute. Two of the most difficult sins to resist are Pride and Sexual Immorality. Both are alluring. Pride says, "I Deserve It" ;  Sexual Desire says, "I Need It" ;   In combination, their appeal is deadly. In fact, says Solomon, only by relying on God's strength can we overcome them. Pride appeals to the empty head; Sexual enticement to the empty heart. Always remember by looking to God, we can fill our heads with Wisdom and our Hearts with his Love. Don't be fooled - remember what God says about who you are and what you were meant to be. Ask Him for Strength to Resist these Temptations.

OK men that's enough for now, it looks like there will be a Part 3.  Lord Willing I'll see ya soon.

God's View on Sex (Part 1 of 3)

This message is of such importance that I may have to share it with you in parts, so please strap in and get ready for a ride through the Bible.

It's my prayer that you are all standing in the Word of God. Today's subject is sex and I'm not sure if we're on the same page. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word "sex" (1) either of the two major forms that occur in many living things and are designated male or female according to their role in reproduction; also (2) the qualities by which these sexes are differentiated and which directly or indirectly function in reproduction involving two parents. 

"WHY SEX MUST BE LIMITED TO MARRIAGE"

(Deuteronomy 23:17-18) "None of the daughters of israel shall be a cult prostitute, nor shall any of the sons of Israel be a cult prostitute. (vs18) "You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God for any votive offering, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God. Our God did not over look anything in His law, prostitution is rigidly forbidden. Almost every other religion known to the Israelites included cult prostitution as an integral part of its worship services. prostitution makes a mockery of God's original idea for sex, treating sex as an isolated physical act rather than an act of duty to another. Outside of marriage, sex destroys kinship with marriage, if approached with the right attitude, it can be a relationship builder. Young people need to be reminded about premarital sex, and adults need to be reminded about sexual loyalty.

"SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS IN MARRIAGE" 

(Proverbs 5:18-20) "God does not intend faithfulness in marriage to be boring, lifeless, pleasureless, and dull. We are told to rejoice in the wife of our youth. We are to be stimulated always with her love. Real happiness comes when we decide to find pleasure in the relationship God has given or will give us and to commit ourselves to making it pleasing for our spouse.

 "SEXUAL SIN"

 "CONSEQUENCES OFTEN DEVASTING"     

(Genesis 34:27-29)  When Shechem raped Dinah, the consequences were far greater than he could have imagined. Dinah's brothers were outraged and took vengeance, pain, deceit, and murder followed. Sexual sin is devastating because it's consequences are so far reaching.

"RESISTING SEXUAL SIN"  

(Genesis 39:9)  "There is one greater in this house than I, and he has witheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?"  Wow, what a man of God. Joseph truly was a man with character. Potiphar's wife failed to seduce Joseph, who resisted this temptation by saying it would be a sin against God. One has to wonder how many other times Potiphar's wife seduced other men and was successful. Joseph didn't say, to Potiphar's wife, "I'd be sinning against Potiphar," or "I'd be sinning against myself." Under pressure, such excuses are easily explained away. Men remember that sexual sin is not just between two consenting adults. We know that it is an act of disobedience against our God. None of us I don't believe gets up each day and says, let's see how can I disobey God today. We must purpose in our heart to stay sin free. We need to realize how important it is to engraft scripture into our daily lives. Just afew weekends ago while praying for someone at the altar a brother in the Lord came up to me an handed me a list of scriptures that we all should memorize and speak into other lives.

"WHY SEXUAL SIN IS SO DANGEROUS"                                                                   

(Leviticus 20:10-21)  God's prohibition against sexual sins come with notably harsh punishments. God has no understanding for such acts for the following reasons: (A) They shatter into smithereens the mutal commitment of married couples; (B) They can surely destroy the sanctity of the family (C) They twist people's mental well - being; and (D) They spread disease. Sexual Sin has always been widely available, but the glorification of sex between people who are not married to each other often hides deep catastrophe and hurt behind the scenes. When society portrays sexual sins as attractive, it is easy to forget the dark side.When we neglect to pray and search the scriptures daily for guidance and strength will can stumble and Fall. God had good reasons for prohibiting sexual sins.He loves us and wants the very best for us.

 I believe I will stop right here for now as I don't want to bowl you over today.   I'll be back with Part 2!

Until next time stay tuned...

 

Humbly Yours in Christ,

              Jim