Submerged in a culture that is dripping with immorality, how can one win the battle of purity?
Before we begin, we have to ask ourselves a few questions. Do I struggle with being pure? Do I struggle with being lonely? Do I struggle with returning to "those" internet sites (or reading material)? Are you a man or a woman who is ready to have victory over this particular area of your life? If you answered yes to any of those questions, I would love to lead you to truth and point you to the Light.
This is not meant as a message of condemnation, but a message to proclaim light and life, and to empower you into victory.
As I laid in my bed, unable to sleep, God started talking to me about the battle many Christians face regarding purity.We can apply these biblical truths to other areas that we need victory in (i.e. anger, emotional eating, stress, etc.), but I'm going to hit the main area that we suffer in: sexual purity. This one is a tough topic that few confront. However, many wrestle and lose the battle in secret.
Over the past couple of months, I have been asked by several people to pray for them because they are lonely or are struggling with purity (both men and women!). I have been on an active road towards righteousness over the past decade. I am far from perfect, and have fallen short many times. But I come before you today victorious!
Before approaching this topic, you must know that I've struggled with the solution for several days now. I've had to ask myself, "Why are desires for righteousness not good enough to have victory?" "How come those of us who KNOW what the Bible says is true, still struggle and lose the battle?" "How come those of us who repent, turn around and return to that place of guilt and shame?"
"How come?"
Knowing what the Bible says isn't good enough. We can know what the Bible says all we want, but our intellect won't change us. Have you tried to say "no" to sin and then succumb to it moments later?
Now, I'm not saying to throw the Bible out the window because it doesn't help. Absolutely not! 2 Timothy 3:16 declares, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
Please return to the Word! And keep returning!
If you believe the Word to be God-breathed, you're one step closer to victory!
So, why is it that when we say "no," we often fall short? Our intentions are godly.
Our "no" has to be supernaturally empowered! We can't say "no" out of our own will and strength. We have to have a greater "yes" in us. If we don't have that "yes," we definitely don't have the "no."
Sexual purity starts with our mind. What are you thinking about? What are you watching or reading? What are you listening to? What are you singing about?
All those questions are linked to our hearts. Whether you're a man or a woman, we're emotional beings created by God to express ourselves in an intimate way. Our culture has perverted it. Sex was designed for marriage and the Bible is clear about that.
Dear brothers and sisters, where are you compromising your intimacy with God?
Psalm 23 says that the Lord leads us on paths of righteousness for His name's sake. If sexual purity is a struggle, He's pointing it out to you and wants to purify you. Let your room be a place of encountering the Lord.
If you are a man or woman who wrestles with purity in secret, your room can be transformed into the Secret Place with the Lord. When temptation comes, close your eyes and say, "Jesus, I'm being tempted to ___ right now. Will you help me?" He knows what you're about to do, see, or read...you might as well say it to Him. He won't be shocked! But you need to be verbal with Him. Believe that the God of the Universe wants to have a conversation with you about the details of your life! He has freed you from guilt and shame. He is Victorious. Now you can walk in victory!
Baby steps. :)
It's Holy Spirit that empowers us to walk in victory.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
For Those in Need of a Breakthrough
Often times when we question God's leadership, we've been convinced of a lie. The question isn't why God isn't showing up when we need Him, it's what made us think that He wouldn't?
Take a look at your story, the story of your life. If you're reading this, you haven't died. God saved you from death. For some of you, that's HUGE. Now, that's not the only example we can use that reveals His faithfulness, but it's definitely something we all can relate with!
When we've been convinced of a lie, it's actually warfare against our soul. When we recognize it, we're on our way to receive a spiritual breakthrough. The unique thing about this kind of warfare is that it's subtle. We tend to hand the enemy resources that he uses against us. What do I mean by that? I mean, if we're already doubting God's provision, the enemy will agree with us. It doesn't take much. All it takes is someone to come alongside of us and tell us we're right for doubting God. We're the one's that make the enemy's job easy. If we're having trouble forgiving others, the enemy will use our anger, bitterness, frustration, and pride. There are many other traits that reveal our sinful humanity that the enemy loves to use over and over again. These traits are familiar to us. That's why it's subtle warfare. The devil uses what we already possess!
So now that I've let the secret out of the bag, what's our next step towards breakthrough?
Well, we already have an idea of the weapons that we give the enemy. So the next step is knowing what weapons the Spirit gives us.
To start, let's take a look at Ephesians 6. We're shown what armor we have. All but one piece of armor is defensive. The sword is the only offensive equipment we carry. Go to the Word of God regarding each unholy weapon we've given the enemy: Pride, doubt, anger, bitterness, etc. What does God say about those things. It's not enough to KNOW what the Bible says on an intellectual level, even the demons believe that there's a God! Instead start to pray the opposite! Get it into your heart. If you're dealing with pride, pray for humility. Look up scriptures that speak of the humility of Christ. Get your focus off of yourself and your circumstances!
Start thanking God for who He is. Begin to give back to the Lord with a thankful heart. Get your focus off of your lack! He has given SO much.
Start worshiping and praising His name. Take out your guitar, piano, or radio (cd/ mp3 player) and start singing! If God has gifted you in a prayer language, use it!
The Psalms are a great place to start, they're both song and revelation of who God is.
You have a choice in your behavior and emotions!
If you truly desire breakthrough, you'll do what it takes to receive the breakthrough. Breakthrough may not happen overnight, it may not come as quickly as you want it to. But God has stirred the longing in your heart for Him. You may have discovered that nothing else satisfies. My exhortation to you is press in! Wage war! Fight for joy!
Be discerning as well, this subtle battle can be confused with a wilderness experience. The wilderness is where we lean on our Beloved Jesus, knowing we are weak and cannot change our circumstances. Sometimes God does heart surgery and we become sensitive towards the things we cannot control. But we still have a choice to direct our hearts towards Christ and lean on Him.
Whether you're in the battle against the enemy, or you're in the wilderness wondering when you're going to enter the promised land, you have a choice in your interactions with God. And we MUST run to Him, regardless of how we feel. Resist running to books, movies, internet, even certain friends and family. Engage the Living God who hears you! He loves when you talk with Him. Be ready to hear Him talk back.
In all honesty, I'm preaching to myself more than anything! I have realized that I have been in a wilderness in the last two months. I have come upon many oasis' in my wandering, but have yet to find the "promised land." Please take the next few seconds to pray for me. I'm right where God wants me, but I need to know His strength from which I draw on. I believe prayer unites the Church, while strengthening her. Feel free to leave a comment on how I can pray for you this week!
One thing that I neglected to mention until now is sharing your battle/ wilderness with one or two people you trust, who will point you to Christ. It's so important that we grow into the person that Christ sees in us. Hold on to truth, and lean on your Beloved.
Take a look at your story, the story of your life. If you're reading this, you haven't died. God saved you from death. For some of you, that's HUGE. Now, that's not the only example we can use that reveals His faithfulness, but it's definitely something we all can relate with!
When we've been convinced of a lie, it's actually warfare against our soul. When we recognize it, we're on our way to receive a spiritual breakthrough. The unique thing about this kind of warfare is that it's subtle. We tend to hand the enemy resources that he uses against us. What do I mean by that? I mean, if we're already doubting God's provision, the enemy will agree with us. It doesn't take much. All it takes is someone to come alongside of us and tell us we're right for doubting God. We're the one's that make the enemy's job easy. If we're having trouble forgiving others, the enemy will use our anger, bitterness, frustration, and pride. There are many other traits that reveal our sinful humanity that the enemy loves to use over and over again. These traits are familiar to us. That's why it's subtle warfare. The devil uses what we already possess!
So now that I've let the secret out of the bag, what's our next step towards breakthrough?
Well, we already have an idea of the weapons that we give the enemy. So the next step is knowing what weapons the Spirit gives us.
To start, let's take a look at Ephesians 6. We're shown what armor we have. All but one piece of armor is defensive. The sword is the only offensive equipment we carry. Go to the Word of God regarding each unholy weapon we've given the enemy: Pride, doubt, anger, bitterness, etc. What does God say about those things. It's not enough to KNOW what the Bible says on an intellectual level, even the demons believe that there's a God! Instead start to pray the opposite! Get it into your heart. If you're dealing with pride, pray for humility. Look up scriptures that speak of the humility of Christ. Get your focus off of yourself and your circumstances!
Start thanking God for who He is. Begin to give back to the Lord with a thankful heart. Get your focus off of your lack! He has given SO much.
Start worshiping and praising His name. Take out your guitar, piano, or radio (cd/ mp3 player) and start singing! If God has gifted you in a prayer language, use it!
The Psalms are a great place to start, they're both song and revelation of who God is.
You have a choice in your behavior and emotions!
If you truly desire breakthrough, you'll do what it takes to receive the breakthrough. Breakthrough may not happen overnight, it may not come as quickly as you want it to. But God has stirred the longing in your heart for Him. You may have discovered that nothing else satisfies. My exhortation to you is press in! Wage war! Fight for joy!
Be discerning as well, this subtle battle can be confused with a wilderness experience. The wilderness is where we lean on our Beloved Jesus, knowing we are weak and cannot change our circumstances. Sometimes God does heart surgery and we become sensitive towards the things we cannot control. But we still have a choice to direct our hearts towards Christ and lean on Him.
Whether you're in the battle against the enemy, or you're in the wilderness wondering when you're going to enter the promised land, you have a choice in your interactions with God. And we MUST run to Him, regardless of how we feel. Resist running to books, movies, internet, even certain friends and family. Engage the Living God who hears you! He loves when you talk with Him. Be ready to hear Him talk back.
In all honesty, I'm preaching to myself more than anything! I have realized that I have been in a wilderness in the last two months. I have come upon many oasis' in my wandering, but have yet to find the "promised land." Please take the next few seconds to pray for me. I'm right where God wants me, but I need to know His strength from which I draw on. I believe prayer unites the Church, while strengthening her. Feel free to leave a comment on how I can pray for you this week!
One thing that I neglected to mention until now is sharing your battle/ wilderness with one or two people you trust, who will point you to Christ. It's so important that we grow into the person that Christ sees in us. Hold on to truth, and lean on your Beloved.
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