Calvary Church

The sermon this past Sunday, Jesus in My Bedroom, made the point that Jesus is to be at the center of our sexuality. This is an area of our lives that He desires to give form and shape to just as He does all other areas of our lives. The Scriptures tell us that He created Adam and Eve with intense sexual desire for one another. When Adam first laid eyes on Eve he burst into spontaneous poetry… “She is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh…” (Genesis 2:23). All through the Bible, God blesses sexuality in all its passion, eroticism, and joy as the climactic, physical, “one-flesh” expression of intimacy in marriage. It is a blessing of marriage.

From the first, the biggest temptation for people has been to cross sexual lines that God has drawn. God says in Proverbs chapter 5:18, “May your fountain (in context refers to ‘your sexuality’) be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe (your wife), a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.” God wants sex for married couples to be exciting, erotic and filled with tender care and love. But, verse 3 states that whether single or married sexual temptation can trip us up because “the lips of an adulteress (or adulterer) drip like honey”. So, God says, “Keep to a path far from” sexual seduction (v. 8) because it will bring you to “the brink of utter ruin.”(v. 14).

This counsel is more important now than ever before. The internet privatizes sexual immorality so that no one knows (unless a computer expert traces your website visits) that you are viewing pornography. This is the path to one of the worst addictions. And, like all addictions, it requires more and more to satisfy the cravings. How do we make sure that we “keep away from the path of sexual seduction”?

Be careful what you subject yourself to in terms of entertainment, movies, TV, reading and the internet. Godly King David lingered on the roof top watching Bathsheba taking her bath. If he had turned away immediately, he would not have fallen. He kept watching and soon the power of the sexual attraction was too strong and it overpowered his judgment. He cast aside his reputation, all of his years as a spiritual leader for a few moments of passion and intercourse (II Samuel 11). But, Joseph was a positive example. Joseph was invited to bed by his boss’s wife. He was out of town. The house was empty. He had every opportunity. But, he “ran” from her (Genesis 39)! Be like Joseph! Manage your sexual desires. If you are single, your sexual urges are not wrong. They are God-given. Find ways when temptation comes to redirect your thoughts and energy. Any Christian bookstore will have good books on controlling the sexual urges and channeling them into healthy avenues. Have an accountability partner, a friend with whom you can honestly talk about all areas of your life including sexual needs and boundaries.

If you are having a struggle with conquering sexual temptation, are involved in pornography, are having an affair (either emotional or physical), or are struggling with some other misdirected sexual sin, take the courageous step to go to a trusted friend and “confess” your struggle. You may need to consider a Christian counselor who can help you understand the unmet needs that lie behind your sexual struggle.

Resources
“Every Man’s Battle” by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker—Excellent book
xxxchurch.com—This is an internet ministry that provides online accountability
Counselor Art Nichols, LCPC 630.544.4311
Counselor Diana Bartling, LCPC 815.462.3866
Heritage Counseling Center 815.577.8970