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Sexual Integrity
Read Romans 1:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:15-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 1:7. What is the basic message of these texts to us today?
Young Megan went off to college. It was her first time away from home for a long period of time. Though she had been taught about sexual immorality, and though she knew what the Bible and her church taught about it, she suddenly found herself in situations where the pressure was very great to give in. She knew it was wrong, she knew this was not what she wanted for her life, she knew that God had something better for her. At first she was strong; at first she resisted. Then, slowly but surely, she compromised, one step at a time. In the beginning, the guilt was terrible; but over time it did not bother her as much as before—not until she found herself with an incurable sexually transmitted disease. Then, and only then, did she start to really ponder the reality of her mistakes.
Sexual immorality in and of itself is bad enough. It is sin, and sin damages our relationship with God and with others. But in this day and age, it can be a very real physical hazard. There are numerous sexually transmitted diseases, from herpes to HIV-AIDS, that can be physically devastating. The surest way to protect yourself from these diseases is to follow biblical principles of sexual morality. Sexual pleasure is for a man and a woman within marriage. Period. Anything outside of that is outside of God’s plan and is wrong; even worse, it can lead to some very serious physical consequences, as well.
And not just physical either. The emotional toll can be terrible, especially for women, upon whom the stigma for sexual immortality often falls the heaviest, however unjustly. Even some secular organizations agree that sexual abstinence outside of marriage is the best choice a person can make.
Of particular concern today is the question of pornography, which since the rise of the Internet is more prevalent than ever. God alone knows how many millions of lives will be ruined through this terrible scourge. There is help for those who get caught up in it; however, for many the shame seems so great they are afraid to get the help they need.
What are your temptations, struggles, frustrations and fears in this special area of human life? Whatever your situation, how can you better avail yourself of the promises of God to see you through them?
| WEDNESDAY | June 2 |
Read Romans 1:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:15-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 1:7. What is the basic message of these texts to us today?
Young Megan went off to college. It was her first time away from home for a long period of time. Though she had been taught about sexual immorality, and though she knew what the Bible and her church taught about it, she suddenly found herself in situations where the pressure was very great to give in. She knew it was wrong, she knew this was not what she wanted for her life, she knew that God had something better for her. At first she was strong; at first she resisted. Then, slowly but surely, she compromised, one step at a time. In the beginning, the guilt was terrible; but over time it did not bother her as much as before—not until she found herself with an incurable sexually transmitted disease. Then, and only then, did she start to really ponder the reality of her mistakes.
Sexual immorality in and of itself is bad enough. It is sin, and sin damages our relationship with God and with others. But in this day and age, it can be a very real physical hazard. There are numerous sexually transmitted diseases, from herpes to HIV-AIDS, that can be physically devastating. The surest way to protect yourself from these diseases is to follow biblical principles of sexual morality. Sexual pleasure is for a man and a woman within marriage. Period. Anything outside of that is outside of God’s plan and is wrong; even worse, it can lead to some very serious physical consequences, as well.
And not just physical either. The emotional toll can be terrible, especially for women, upon whom the stigma for sexual immortality often falls the heaviest, however unjustly. Even some secular organizations agree that sexual abstinence outside of marriage is the best choice a person can make.
Of particular concern today is the question of pornography, which since the rise of the Internet is more prevalent than ever. God alone knows how many millions of lives will be ruined through this terrible scourge. There is help for those who get caught up in it; however, for many the shame seems so great they are afraid to get the help they need.
What are your temptations, struggles, frustrations and fears in this special area of human life? Whatever your situation, how can you better avail yourself of the promises of God to see you through them?
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