Jump Start # 3417

Job 31:9-11 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or I have lurked at my neighbor’s doorway, may my wife grind for another, and let others kneel down over her. For that would be a lustful crime; moreover, it would be an iniquity punishable by judges. For it would be fire that consumes to Abaddon, and would uproot all my increase.”

Our verse, written a long, long time ago, warns of the temptation of sexual sins. The chapter begins with, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze upon a virgin.” Then in our section, this continues by the enticing of the heart, the lurking in the wrong places and the consequences of such actions.

Recently, I heard my dear friend Don preach a very pointed sermon called, “Keeping sex sacred.” Powerful and very needful.

Here are some thoughts that we need to be honest with:

First, it’s time that we talk about these things. There is a way to talk about delicate and sensitive things like this. We must realize that the world is blunt, raw and in your face. While we are reluctant to talk about topics like this, the world isn’t. Your kids hear these things unfiltered and even obscene. Social media is filled with this topic. And, our silence from the pulpit leaves questions unanswered, direction not proved and helped not offered.

God is not silent on sexuality. Our reluctance to talk about these things leaves brethren unguided. What if we were to be silent on other important topics? Paul declared the whole counsel of God, and we must do the same. Sexuality is a major component in advertising, movies and music. Sex sells, is what advertisers say. It’s all around us and we must not bury our heads in the sand but honestly, Biblically and tactfully teach God’s people about this. Sexual temptation and sin is ruining many families today. God’s warnings, God’s principles and God’s guidance needs to be heard loud and clear. Our people need to know.

Second, Job, written likely during the time period of Genesis, knew the dangers of sexual temptation. Porn is not new to our times. The walls of many buildings in Pompeii displayed some very graphic images that were pornographic. The battle with lust is not a matter of keeping your clothes on. Lust, whether sexual, materialistic, which we might call greed, begins in the mind. The key to winning the battle over lust is winning the mind to Christ. One writer confessed years ago, “I looked at a Playboy magazine for twenty seconds, and the image stayed with me for twenty years.” It’s a battle for the mind. Transformed lives by the renewing of the mind is what the Romans were told. Set your mind on things above is what the Colossians were told. Let your mind dwell on what is true, honorable, right and pure is what the Philippians were told. Get the mind right, is where this all begins.

The addiction to porn is plaguing so many congregations and homes. We must return to practicing righteousness as John wrote in his first letter. Job made a covenant with his eyes. He began with the mind. He then moved to the eyes.

Here is a link to Don’s sermon: http://www.fishers-churchofchrist.b.congregateclients.com/resources/sermons/2023/09/17/keeping-sex-sacred.

Listen to it. Share it. Help others with it.

“Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7).

Roger