Sexual Sin – A Scriptural Exhortation for the Believer
Are you a Christian struggling with sexual sin? Are you desiring freedom? Many books and programs have been written and exist to combat the problem. Most of these contain man's wisdom in psychology, brain chemistry and may include some promises from Scripture, which are meant for those of us who are walking in truth (3 John vs. 4).
How to overcome
I have found that God's Word, a willingness to repent and being around godly men is what we need. Many programs that claim to be Christian lean toward only a specific aspect of God's grace, which are used to gently encourage, but lack power because they do not include the more challenging Scriptures, which ironically are the ones that we may need the most in dealing with this sin. It is fitting to focus in on the grace that includes God's convicting and helping power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God in its entirely, which is also written to produce fearful warnings to believers.
How to overcome
I have found that God's Word, a willingness to repent and being around godly men is what we need. Many programs that claim to be Christian lean toward only a specific aspect of God's grace, which are used to gently encourage, but lack power because they do not include the more challenging Scriptures, which ironically are the ones that we may need the most in dealing with this sin. It is fitting to focus in on the grace that includes God's convicting and helping power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God in its entirely, which is also written to produce fearful warnings to believers.
If you are caught up in sexual sin and have given a foothold to satan, you must use extreme measures to get out of your situation. "Arrest" yourself and turn yourself in to your pastor or church leadership. Meet with them together and with the elders, if possible, as difficult this may be to do, and bring your sin completely into the light. Begin to soak your soul with Scripture (you absolutely must read and study the Bible), and get on your knees daily, even hourly, and pray for God's mercy and strength. Don't believe the humanistic lie, "Once an addict always and addict". This label does not have to follow you for the rest of your life!
Real freedom is possible, but you must surrender all and expose all the hidden places in your heart in the light, and cease completely from being secretive. You absolutely must keep in close fellowship with other strong believers - those who are not also caught up in lust or impurity. This sin of lust is deadly, tricky, and if left alone will kill your soul. It is very easy to continue in a state of failure and remain in secrecy, not thanks to the internet and the delusion of thinking we can "erase history", which you can not, aside from repentance and receiving God's forgiveness.
The sin of lust has the potential to snuff out your usefulness to God almost completely, and could hinder your relationship with God and others to the point where your heart is completely hardened, which if gone unaddressed, will disqualify you from the prize of eternal life (1 Corinthians 9:27) and land you in hell forever! If this scares you, repent now, and do what you know you need to do.
Real freedom is possible, but you must surrender all and expose all the hidden places in your heart in the light, and cease completely from being secretive. You absolutely must keep in close fellowship with other strong believers - those who are not also caught up in lust or impurity. This sin of lust is deadly, tricky, and if left alone will kill your soul. It is very easy to continue in a state of failure and remain in secrecy, not thanks to the internet and the delusion of thinking we can "erase history", which you can not, aside from repentance and receiving God's forgiveness.
The sin of lust has the potential to snuff out your usefulness to God almost completely, and could hinder your relationship with God and others to the point where your heart is completely hardened, which if gone unaddressed, will disqualify you from the prize of eternal life (1 Corinthians 9:27) and land you in hell forever! If this scares you, repent now, and do what you know you need to do.
Get rid of the tools that make it easy to sin
If this sin has a grip on you, you should no longer have access to anything on your phone or computer that will allow you to sin sexually. Set up restrictions and have another person keep the password. Get rid of any apps that can allow you to sin, and don't sneak one in or leave one in there as a last resort. It must all go.
If this sin has a grip on you, you should no longer have access to anything on your phone or computer that will allow you to sin sexually. Set up restrictions and have another person keep the password. Get rid of any apps that can allow you to sin, and don't sneak one in or leave one in there as a last resort. It must all go.
In the meantime, meditate on these passages below. Allow them to penetrate your heart and replace filthy thoughts with these wonderful, true, and pure thoughts of the Word, which can cleanse your soul, and help place the fear of God in you. Many of these passages have been cut down to narrow in on what we need to hear specifically for this sin, and placed in a sort of order in order to flow together. Context is key, so consider this as a guide as related to this sin. The passages relate to many other aspects and situations, not just these. There are currently about 92 passages here.
God bless you as you seek purity and God's power in your life! If you are looking for an excellent biblical resource that help guide you to purity, visit and commit to doing a free long-term online course found at settingcaptivesfree.com as well. ⬛
- God's wisdom is the only wisdom we need!
I appeal to you, brothers, bear with this word of exhortation (Hebrews 13:22). Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin? (Proverbs 20:9) Those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:8). Everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:16) The works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, carousing, and things like these, of which I have forewarned you, those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). Among you there must not be even a hint of any kind of impurity (Ephesians 5:3). Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity (1 Timothy 5:2). Because whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5:28). Will you commit adultery and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"--safe to do all these detestable things? I have been watching! declares the Lord (Jeremiah 7:9-10). Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known (Luke 12:22). Do not fall into deception: again I say, those who are sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, and men who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God! (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). Flee from sexual immorality. Whoever sins sexually sins against their own body (1 Corinthians 6:18). Don't you know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit? (1 Corinthians 6:19) What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? (2 Corinthians 6:16). So honor God with your bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20) and avoid sexual immorality. Control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable (1 Thessalonians 4:4), not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God (1 Thessalonians 4:5). For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry (1 Peter 4:3). Come out from them and be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17). And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30).
STAY AWAY FROM THE IMMORAL WOMAN
Wisdom cries out and raises her voice! (Proverbs 1:20) - Listen to me; pay attention to what I say! (Proverbs 7:24). Do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” (1 Corinthians 6:16). Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! (1 Corinthians 6:15) What fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14). Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. (Proverbs 5:5). You were bought with a price, so glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:20). Come out of her, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues (Revelation 18:4).
Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God (1 John 3:10). No one who lives in him keeps on sinning, and neither anyone who is born of God continues to sin (1 John 5:18). No one who sins has either seen him or known him (1 John 4:6), and is of the devil (1 John 3:8). You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons (1 Corinthians 10:21). We have died to sin; how can we live any longer in it? (Romans 6:2). Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning! Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5). For to your shame I say that some of you don't even know God. (1 Corinthians 15:34). Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24). So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:17). It is God's will that you should be sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3). In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood (Hebrews 12:24). So do not merely listen to the word, and so deceiving yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22).
REPENT!
What shall we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may increase? (Romans 6:1). By no means! (Romans 6:2). Consider the distance you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first! Do not be stiff-necked any longer (Deuteronomy 10:16). Fear the LORD and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:17). I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you (1 Corinthians 4:14). If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place. (Revelation 2:5) My pleasure is that the wicked repent from their behavior and live. Turn back! Turn back, all of you, from your wicked behavior! (Ezekiel 33:11) What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! (Romans 6:21). Produce fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8). The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:10). Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5).
Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Romans 6:16). Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. (Ephesians 5:14). Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19) that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom (James 4:9). Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (James 4:10). The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18). You were once darkness, but now you are as light in the Lord. So live as children of light! (Ephesians 5:8) Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways (Proverbs 4:26).
Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Romans 6:16). Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. (Ephesians 5:14). Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19) that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom (James 4:9). Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (James 4:10). The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18). You were once darkness, but now you are as light in the Lord. So live as children of light! (Ephesians 5:8) Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways (Proverbs 4:26).
BE ALERT
Be alert and with a sober mind, because your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes (Ephesians 6:11). Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16). For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).
Be alert and with a sober mind, because your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes (Ephesians 6:11). Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16). For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).
Behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality (Romans 13:13). But rather, clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don't think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh (Romans 13:14). Instead have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:11). And be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48). Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked (1 John 2:6). Brothers, keep yourself pure (1 Timothy 5:22), for without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
Live as free men, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as a living servant of God. (1 Peter 2:16). For He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of your heart (1 Corinthians 4:5). Fear God and keep his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Confess your sins to the Lord; for He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
CONFESS
Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25) so that you will not be hardened by sin's deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13). If you hide your sins you will not prosper, but if you confess and renounce them you will find mercy (Proverbs 28:13). Confess your sins to one other and pray for each other so that you may be healed, because the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
HELP A BROTHER OUT!
The stronger brother ought to bear with the failings of the weaker brother (Romans 15:1). You who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted (Galatians 6:1). Love one another with brotherly affection. Out-do one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10). Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, being compassionate and humble (1 Peter 3:8). Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5). Humility goes before honor (Proverbs 18:12). So do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:7). Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (Philippians 4:8). For we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 10:16). Peace to all of you who are in Christ (1 Peter 5:14). Amen! (Psalm 89:52).
Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25) so that you will not be hardened by sin's deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13). If you hide your sins you will not prosper, but if you confess and renounce them you will find mercy (Proverbs 28:13). Confess your sins to one other and pray for each other so that you may be healed, because the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
HELP A BROTHER OUT!
The stronger brother ought to bear with the failings of the weaker brother (Romans 15:1). You who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted (Galatians 6:1). Love one another with brotherly affection. Out-do one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10). Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, being compassionate and humble (1 Peter 3:8). Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5). Humility goes before honor (Proverbs 18:12). So do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:7). Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (Philippians 4:8). For we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 10:16). Peace to all of you who are in Christ (1 Peter 5:14). Amen! (Psalm 89:52).
Note: Words in italics were added to serve as transitions between passages. Some passages were shortened to narrow in on the sexual sin theme.
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