October 26th
“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.” Psalm 51:6 NIV
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” John 8:31-32 NIV
Truth is something that God wants us to know in our “inner parts.” There perhaps is nothing quite as personal and “inner” as the sexual area of our lives. Our sexuality is deeply rooted in who we are, what we believe and much of what we do. It shouldn’t surprise us that Satan targets many people with sexual temptation. His temptations are all based on lies – some big and blatant, others small and subtle. His lies depart from the basic principles that God gave us for sexuality.
Perhaps the most basic principle is that sexual activity is reserved for a husband and wife within a loving marriage relationship. Satan aims to bring sex out of the privacy and intimacy of marriage and exploit it for entertainment, profit and taking people captive to addictions. If we’ve been immersed in pornography or other sexualized materials or relationships, we’re more likely to have grown callous to the sinfulness of sex sin and less able to recognize the lies in the sexual temptations we face.
There are negative consequences every time we step outside of God’s plan for our sexuality, whether it be looking at pornography, committing fornication, having an affair, dabbling in homosexuality, or some other form of sexual sin. Satan’s goal is to deceive us into believing the consequences are not that bad or simply don’t exist, or that the sin we practice isn’t really sin.
Jesus explained to the Jews in John 8 that the key to breaking free of sin’s bondage is to “hold” to his teaching and be his disciple. Through Bible study and the teaching of a good pastor or Bible teacher, we can learn what Jesus’ teachings are and then apply them to our daily lives. As we do that, the Holy Spirit will show us how to live the new life that God wants us to live and enjoy his abundant blessings and pleasures (Psalm 36:7-9). Throughout the process of learning Jesus’ teaching, applying them and living them out, we will grow in knowledge of the truth. Armed with the truth, we’ll find that Satan’s temptations have diminished pull on our flesh, such that we can resist and choose righteousness over evil.
Choosing God’s plan for our sexuality will bring lasting satisfaction and blessing on our families and us. He promises that if we seek him and his righteousness first, that he will bless us in the other areas of our lives! Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). Also, in Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, God said, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We can depend on these promises because God keeps his promises!
Questions for further thought
How has Satan’s exploitation of sex infected your perceptions of sexuality?
What are one or two of the temptations you face most often?
What are the lies involved with each temptation?
Considering Jesus’ statement regarding holding to his teaching, being his disciple and knowing the truth, what practical actions can you take to improve your progress in each of these areas?
Prayer
“Heavenly Father, thank you for establishing the universe in truth. I believe your word is the truth. I repent for all the times that I have rejected truth and embraced the lies of sin, especially ________________ (list any that come to mind). Thank you for the forgiveness that I have through the blood of Jesus and his finished work on the cross! As I set out to learn your teachings and apply them, please help me re-establish truth in my innermost parts, especially in the area of sexuality. Please expose the lies I have believed and tolerated with your light. Please sharpen my discernment of truth and strengthen me to reject the lies every time I am confronted by them. Thank you, Father! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”