â Today's Promise: "He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself." Proverbs 6:32
Words of Encouragement
Flee From Sexual Sin Part 3: Enter the Counterfeit
In Part 1 and Part 2 I have encouraged you to flee sexual sin. Do whatever it takes so that you are completely free of this entanglement so that you are not blocked from the Lord by this sin and you are not wandering the desert not getting to your Promised Land. I have recently read a book where a businessman who is a believer says that men who have sexual sin rarely thrive in the business world. He reinforces âItâs a killer and a ruthless tyrant that only takes.Â
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (ESV)
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.
Romans 1: 24-27Â
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
When you are doing well ânow that you have your act together âyou are full of the Holy Spirit and are following Jesus. Having put away the old man and leaving sinful behaviours, you may have suddenly become attractive to other people. Women have noticed you knowing you are âsingleâ they may want you and now you have to resist the counterfeit!
Do not let them convince you to leave your current sufferings for short term pleasure. Donât abandon your post! Leave such people and such company. When Moses was coming down from the mountain, he had spent time with God, the scripture records that his face was shining. This drew people to him because this is what spending time with God does to us.
We are now warm and friendly full of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. You have the sweet aroma of goodness to other people. This is the time to witness to people about Jesus Christ, not to get entangled in relationships. As you journey in your marriage restoration and your personal restoration be aware that the devil may present to you a counterfeit spouse. Because you are lonely and alone you are vulnerable to accepting affections and admiration from other people. Once again I encourage you to flee.
Exodus 34: 29
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.
When I was living with non-Christians, the landlady was a woman. She could see that my wife was continuously rejecting me when she dropped off the children and one time she made an open invitation to me that she was looking for somebody just like me: âSomebody who had cleaned up their actâ to be her boyfriend.
Dear brother If I had not been focused, I might have settled for her admiration and affection. So I want to encourage you to guard yourself, do not put yourself in situations that will foster secrecy and you to become a hero when really it's the Holy Spirit in you that people are drawn to. The Holy Spirit that is working in you is what is helping you clean up your act and get it together. Because God is on your side âfavour is on you and you must not abuse this.
I'm sure that a lot of men in ministry start off well, but how many ministers do you hear about getting caught up in adultery, fornication and other sexual sins? Numerous. They started off well but they did not keep their guard up. I once read that Billy Graham never met with ladies by himself. He would always have somebody accompany him so that he was accountable and kept far from temptation. Adopt this same strategy or one like it that will deliver you. When the counterfeit presents herself, whether they are having marriage troubles too or need other help-run!
About seven years ago I spoke to a man who was having problems with his wife, I gave him the RYM book and encouraged him to seek God. Unfortunately, he had consulted with another woman at work who was having problems with her husband. They both left their spouses to be with each other citing that this was fate bringing them together. Needless to say, that did not last long, it was a counterfeit relationship that did not have the blessing of God. He lost 3 years that could have brought his own wife back. There's nothing new under the sun, so don't fall for this trick/falsehood of the counterfeit.
Proverbs 7 (KJV)
My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers;Write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, âYou are my sister,â And call understanding your nearest kin, That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words. For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding, Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house.
In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night. And there a woman met him,
With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home. At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner. So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him:âI have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows. So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you.
I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen. I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;
Let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.â With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare,He did not know it would cost his life. Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways Do not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.
Proverbs 6:32
He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.
~ Tad RESTORED in Australia
If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to read my testimony and then my wife's encouragement.
Also, here are the previous letters from prior months that I hope will inspire you in your Journey.