Resources
Two Guys From Vista
Listen in every Mon.-Fri., 2:30-3 PM on 1210 AM KPRZ, to hear the Two Guys from Vista show. It features our very own teaching pastors, Larry & Chris!
Print this pageSatan's Favorite Lies | Sexual Purity Is For Prudes And Losers | July 19-20, 2008 |
Food for Thought
For the week of July 20, 2008
(Questions and Scriptures for further study)
1. Maintaining sexual purity can be a significant challenge – especially in our sexually charged culture. The Enemy would love for us to think sexual purity is impossible or no big deal – but fortunately God hasn’t left us as prisoners to ourselves or our environment. What motivation and steps does 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 give us to combat this challenge?
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. [2] For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
[3] It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; [4] that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, [5] not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; [6] and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. [7] For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. [8] Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. [NIV]
What are some specific situations or places you may need to “avoid” in order to prevent temptation and help you maintain sexual purity?
2. King David found himself humbled and broken after being confronted by a friend and realizing he too had bought into the lie that sexual purity was of little consequence. Psalm 51 gives us an amazing picture of how David then came before God asking for forgiveness and processing the realization of his sinfulness. As you read this Psalm, underline and write down the statements and thoughts that you see as important to understand when it comes to dealing with your own sin.
Psalm 51:1-19
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
[2] Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
[3] For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
[4] Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
[5] Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
[6] Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
[7] Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
[8] Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
[9] Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
[10] Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
[11] Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
[12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
[13] Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
[14] Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
[15] O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
[16] You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
[17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
[18] In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.
[19] Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar. [NIV]
3. How do the following passages of Scripture help you further understand God’s grace and process your shortcomings with him?
Isaiah 59:1-3
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
[2] But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
[3] For your hands are stained with blood,
your fingers with guilt.
Your lips have spoken lies,
and your tongue mutters wicked things. [NIV]
Isaiah 53:6
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. [NIV]
Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
[7] Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon. [NIV]
Jeremiah 33:6-9
" 'Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. [7] I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. [8] I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. [9] Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.' [NIV]
4. What other strategies does God give us to help in maintaining sexual purity?
Psalm 119:9-11
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
[10] I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
[11] I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. [NIV]
Luke 22:40
On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." [NIV]
Hebrews 2:17-18
For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. [18] Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. [NIV]
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. [25] Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. [NIV]
Is there one of these that you need to add or re-apply to your life?