Sexual Immorality
Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, NKJV)
Nothing seems to be getting more airtime than the many exposures of sexual immorality having been done in days, and decades, gone by. Be it in the sports field, political arena, church institutions, Hollywood scene, corporate life or throughout the educational system – we certainly are being made aware of what has gone on behind closed doors. It is now being shouted from the rooftops.
That which was hidden is now being made known. Even as the Lord Jesus Himself said it would be.
He spoke truth centuries ago, “For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.” (Mark 4:22, NASU)
With the explosive exposure of immoral behavior being widely reported, yet it is nothing new. It has been going on for a long time.
Even King Solomon, with all his God-given wisdom and understanding, wrote, “What has been is what will be, what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9, Complete Jewish Bible)
From Genesis to Revelation, the Word of God treats sin for what it is – the turning of man from the Creator to walk in his own pride, selfishness, and lusts. From Abraham’s nephew Lot and the gay men of Sodom in the beginning of the Bible (Genesis 19), to the whore of Babylon in the last book of God’s Word (Revelation 17:1), sexual immorality has been in the forefront of evil within the human race, seeking to destroy the beautiful purpose of sex for which our Father created it.
Temptation abounds as we are bombarded daily on the TV screen, movie theatres, Internet porn, and published works, attempting to get each trapped in a downward spiral of sin and degradation.
I recall when I was in 6th grade at St. Patrick's School in Cedar Falls, Iowa, over 50 years ago, when my teacher, a Catholic nun of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) order, went to convenient stores in our town persuading the owners to at least move the pornographic magazines to behind the checkout counter, so as not to so easily make available to adults, and influence unknowing kids. Sister Robert Cecile was a courageous soul. She wanted to stop it as much as she could within her power and scope of ability. I remember that clearly as her actions stuck with me.
By the grace of God, also when I was in 6th grade, I committed then to not permit pornographic material in my life. On one occasion, I had taken a shortcut through the woods near our house, on the way to deliver the Waterloo Courier newspaper on my daily route. Along the path, I spotted a sandwich bag lying just off to the side. With curiosity, I picked it up. In it were nude photos torn from a magazine, along with some cigarettes. I could feel the evil presence pulling at my soul, as it tried to implant within my spirit. I vowed then not to ever look at this stuff again. Commitments can be for life. The Lord helps us stand in purity.
Nothing can be more hurtful in a single or married life than for one to participate in pornography or sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman. Neither can nothing be more destructive to an individual life than being used for someone else’s lust fulfillment than in our massive sex trafficking industry worldwide.
Freedom from sin has been bought with a price – a very high price. Jesus Christ offered Himself on the cross to free us from the curse of sin, enable us to overcome temptation and to live a life pleasing to the Father.
“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20, NASU)
While we pray for those who have been caught up in the vicious trap of sexual immorality, with repentance and forgiveness, we also humbly receive the love of the Lord for ourselves, which each heart longs to know and be known. He alone can fulfill all needs and desires.
Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
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Now Think On This #353 - in the year of our Lord 09.26.18 – “Sexual Immorality”, Wednesday, 11:00 am
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