Sexual Restoration

The Bible makes it pretty clear the self-control is something we all have to practice. Not just because God says so, but for our betterment as well.

Proverbs 25:18 says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” 

In other words, self-control is our protection from the attacks of our enemy and without it, we’re as good as (spiritually) dead.

But, it’s easier said then done and I know that personally. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  Therefore I can’t be the only one here today who has fallen short when it comes to sexual sin and temptation.

J and I, just like any other couple, have experienced our fair share of sexual temptation and though I wish I could say otherwise, sometimes we didn’t fight it as hard as we should have and we’re left picking up the broken pieces that are the result of such a sin.

Sin is sin, but sexual immorality is specifically spoken to separately. Read here what it says in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20,

“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body”

Our bodies are the temple of God and unlike other sins, sexual temptation violates our temples and we all know God’s Spirit doesn’t deserve to live in such a temple.

 

This however is not meant to be about naming and shaming. Instead, I want to focus on sexual restoration.

Maybe you’ve been involved in an affair and you can’t escape the disgusting feeling hanging over you. Proverbs 6:32 addresses this when it says, “He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.” Adultery doesn’t just violate a marriage, it violates you as a person as well. But don’t fear, Jesus Himself spoke to an adulterous and said,  “Jesus stood up again and said to the woman,“Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”  “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “NEITHER DO I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11. Emphasis mine)

Adultery isn’t the only lust spoken about. In fact, all kinds of lust is mentioned including the lust of the eyes, mind and heart. I myself have fallen short in a number of these areas, and I’m sure some of you have to. Maybe you’re feeling guilty, maybe you don’t. But we all know we need to turn from this lust and walk in restoration.

What does the Bible have to say about this?

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 

When we know God, it becomes easier for us to fight the temptation. When we fight it, we are holding our body holy and honorable before God. As Jesus spoke to the adulterous woman, we need to go and sin no more. God forgives us, and now its time we forgive ourselves and move forward down the path of self-control.

 

GOD BLESS xx

~ C