Deconstruction: The Bedroom – Sexual Purity Matters - Tuesday
Today’s Verse
1 Corinthians 6:13
You say, “Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. (NLT)
As much as we want to believe it is, sex is not a need. And all the Men said, “BOO!” Some people are called to be single and live a perfectly happy life without ever having sex. But as a culture, we place sex so high on a pedestal that we become obsessed with it. We believe it equates to food, water, or even air. We’ll sacrifice a lot to have it: our money, our time, our dreams, and sometimes even our families. As teenagers, we don’t want to be the only person in our friend group who has never had sex so we do whatever we have to to not be left behind.
In the scripture above, we learn that sexual immorality is not what the body is meant for. It is meant for the Lord. God takes our bodies seriously and wants us to take them seriously as well. Other sins occur outside the body, but sexual sin occurs inside our bodies. What else resides inside our bodies? The Holy Spirit. If you are a Christian, the God of the universe resides inside your body and as you sin sexually, you are bringing sin right where God lives. He’s there, with you and in you. It's a sobering thought. Think about bringing your sin to the dinner table, where your parents, your wife, and your children are. You would never do that. But we sin in God’s presence all the time. Have I made you feel bad enough yet?
Listen, God knows what you struggle with. He sees your sin. He also saw the decisions or trauma that sent you down this path, he was there, and he’s there now. He has walked with you through the pain, the shame, and the guilt. And he sees when you are going to be able to surrender it - he’s there now! God loves you and wants what’s best for you. He knows sexual sin is difficult to conquer but he wants to help you defeat it. He has provided you with a way out that's found in scripture. Here’s a verse to consider - James 5:16: Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
REFLECTION
Are you struggling with sexual sin and can't seem to defeat it? Men, consider joining a small group and sign up for Men's Retreat - get connected with other men who also struggle. Women, groups are also a great option for you! You can also contact Southland and talk to a pastor or get a referral for counseling. Hang in there.