The Battle For Sexual Purity / A Must Read for Every Man
This blog’s post today is much longer than normal but it is worth taking the time needed to read it. Today’s content is about the struggle of sexual temptation and the victory that is available to us. As a man I really appreciate the words of Solomon. His words of wisdom are as relevant today as when they were first written!
This post covers three chapters of Proverbs (I had to update my reading schedule, sorry!) but they fit together so well. You will see verses from all three chapters included in the Scripture, Observation and the Application sections.
The Book of Proverbs
Proverbs Chapters 5 – 7
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 7:24-27 (The Message)
So, friends, listen to me, take these words of mine most seriously.
Don't fool around with a woman like that; don't even stroll through her neighborhood.
Countless victims come under her spell; she's the death of many a poor man.
She runs a halfway house to hell, fits you out with a shroud and a coffin.
Observation= What incredible chapters! I think that every man ought to read Proverbs chapters 5 – 7 to help them understand the power and destruction of sexual seduction.
We live in an information age where the convenience of the internet brings seduction into the privacy of our own homes. You don’t have to wander down the street to be seduced just browse the net. She is there waiting for you… this is a real battle that in many ways is an exact parallel to what Solomon is describing.
When you read Proverbs chapter 7, verses 6 – 23 you see the allure and the power of the seduction but as Solomon advises the reader; it is an illusion, a lie that entraps and destroys those who fall under its spell. The promise of intimacy is never fulfilled outside of the covenant of marriage. The high of ‘being desired’ is temporary and turns to self hate and shame. You cannot pursue sexual fulfillment outside of marriage and avoid suffering the consequences. Read the words of Proverbs Chapter 6:24 – 29, 32 – 33 (The Message):
(24 – 29) They'll protect you from wanton women, from the seductive talk of some temptress.
Don't lustfully fantasize on her beauty, nor be taken in by her bedroom eyes.
You can buy an hour with a whore for a loaf of bread, but a wanton woman may well eat you alive.
Can you build a fire in your lap and not burn your pants?
Can you walk barefoot on hot coals and not get blisters?
It's the same when you have sex with your neighbor's wife: Touch her and you'll pay for it. No excuses.
(32 – 33) Adultery is a brainless act, soul-destroying, self-destructive;
Expect a bloody nose, a black eye, and a reputation ruined for good...
The consequences of sexual impurity are guaranteed, they cannot be avoided. Sexual liaisons in chat rooms are often justified because the relationships are not physical but only emotional encounters. These internet affaires are never harmless and many people have then acted out their desires and destroyed their marriages, their families, their reputations and literally their lives! Solomon states in Chapter 7:24 – 27, that these sexual exploits, “are the death of many a poor man.”
Application= When it comes to the application of these three chapters their truths hit home. As a man and even as a pastor I too struggle with the availability of pornography. Solomon’s advice in chapter 7:25 “Don't fool around with a woman like that; don't even stroll through her neighborhood” must be followed. When it comes to sexual temptation:
· You CANNOT be timid!
· You don’t have to ACT BRAVE! (Think you can handle it by yourself.)
· You must FLEE!
· You need to have a support system of ACCOUNTABILITY! (Try looking at www.xxxchurch.com)
· You have to CULTIVATE and MAINTAIN true intimacy with your wife by understanding how to understand and meet her emotional needs. Read Solomon’s words in Chapter 5:15 – 20 (The Message)
“Do you know the saying, "Drink from your own rain barrel, draw water from your own spring-fed well"?
It's true. Otherwise, you may one day come home and find your barrel empty and your well polluted.
Your spring water is for you and you only, not to be passed around among strangers.
Bless your fresh-flowing fountain!
Enjoy the wife you married as a young man!
Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose—don't ever quit taking delight in her body.
Never take her love for granted!
Why would you trade enduring intimacies for cheap thrills with a whore? for dalliance with a promiscuous stranger?”
· Know that you are NOT ALONE! (Other men struggle with cultivating emotional intimacy.)
· Stay FAITHFUL no matter the cost!
Prayer= Lord Jesus, thank you for your timely words. Thank you for speaking to my heart through Solomon. Help me to never quit resisting, to understand that victory is mine, Jesus, through your death and resurrection! You are there with me everyday and I know that through your Holy Spirit, you are always faithful to strengthen and to deliver me. James 1:13 – 18 tells me how temptation works and I surrender my desires today to you.
*If you need help with accountability in your battle with sexual temptation please send me a comment. All personal comments will be kept confidential and your request WILL NOT BE POSTED!
**For A good point of reference and to help better understand the battle of sexual temptation I highly recommend the book Every Man’s Battle, by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey. Published by WaterBrook Press; ISBN 1-57856-368-2
Pastor Dan
This post covers three chapters of Proverbs (I had to update my reading schedule, sorry!) but they fit together so well. You will see verses from all three chapters included in the Scripture, Observation and the Application sections.
The Book of Proverbs
Proverbs Chapters 5 – 7
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 7:24-27 (The Message)
So, friends, listen to me, take these words of mine most seriously.
Don't fool around with a woman like that; don't even stroll through her neighborhood.
Countless victims come under her spell; she's the death of many a poor man.
She runs a halfway house to hell, fits you out with a shroud and a coffin.
Observation= What incredible chapters! I think that every man ought to read Proverbs chapters 5 – 7 to help them understand the power and destruction of sexual seduction.
We live in an information age where the convenience of the internet brings seduction into the privacy of our own homes. You don’t have to wander down the street to be seduced just browse the net. She is there waiting for you… this is a real battle that in many ways is an exact parallel to what Solomon is describing.
When you read Proverbs chapter 7, verses 6 – 23 you see the allure and the power of the seduction but as Solomon advises the reader; it is an illusion, a lie that entraps and destroys those who fall under its spell. The promise of intimacy is never fulfilled outside of the covenant of marriage. The high of ‘being desired’ is temporary and turns to self hate and shame. You cannot pursue sexual fulfillment outside of marriage and avoid suffering the consequences. Read the words of Proverbs Chapter 6:24 – 29, 32 – 33 (The Message):
(24 – 29) They'll protect you from wanton women, from the seductive talk of some temptress.
Don't lustfully fantasize on her beauty, nor be taken in by her bedroom eyes.
You can buy an hour with a whore for a loaf of bread, but a wanton woman may well eat you alive.
Can you build a fire in your lap and not burn your pants?
Can you walk barefoot on hot coals and not get blisters?
It's the same when you have sex with your neighbor's wife: Touch her and you'll pay for it. No excuses.
(32 – 33) Adultery is a brainless act, soul-destroying, self-destructive;
Expect a bloody nose, a black eye, and a reputation ruined for good...
The consequences of sexual impurity are guaranteed, they cannot be avoided. Sexual liaisons in chat rooms are often justified because the relationships are not physical but only emotional encounters. These internet affaires are never harmless and many people have then acted out their desires and destroyed their marriages, their families, their reputations and literally their lives! Solomon states in Chapter 7:24 – 27, that these sexual exploits, “are the death of many a poor man.”
Application= When it comes to the application of these three chapters their truths hit home. As a man and even as a pastor I too struggle with the availability of pornography. Solomon’s advice in chapter 7:25 “Don't fool around with a woman like that; don't even stroll through her neighborhood” must be followed. When it comes to sexual temptation:
· You CANNOT be timid!
· You don’t have to ACT BRAVE! (Think you can handle it by yourself.)
· You must FLEE!
· You need to have a support system of ACCOUNTABILITY! (Try looking at www.xxxchurch.com)
· You have to CULTIVATE and MAINTAIN true intimacy with your wife by understanding how to understand and meet her emotional needs. Read Solomon’s words in Chapter 5:15 – 20 (The Message)
“Do you know the saying, "Drink from your own rain barrel, draw water from your own spring-fed well"?
It's true. Otherwise, you may one day come home and find your barrel empty and your well polluted.
Your spring water is for you and you only, not to be passed around among strangers.
Bless your fresh-flowing fountain!
Enjoy the wife you married as a young man!
Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose—don't ever quit taking delight in her body.
Never take her love for granted!
Why would you trade enduring intimacies for cheap thrills with a whore? for dalliance with a promiscuous stranger?”
· Know that you are NOT ALONE! (Other men struggle with cultivating emotional intimacy.)
· Stay FAITHFUL no matter the cost!
Prayer= Lord Jesus, thank you for your timely words. Thank you for speaking to my heart through Solomon. Help me to never quit resisting, to understand that victory is mine, Jesus, through your death and resurrection! You are there with me everyday and I know that through your Holy Spirit, you are always faithful to strengthen and to deliver me. James 1:13 – 18 tells me how temptation works and I surrender my desires today to you.
*If you need help with accountability in your battle with sexual temptation please send me a comment. All personal comments will be kept confidential and your request WILL NOT BE POSTED!
**For A good point of reference and to help better understand the battle of sexual temptation I highly recommend the book Every Man’s Battle, by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey. Published by WaterBrook Press; ISBN 1-57856-368-2
Pastor Dan
