It is Wise to Guard Your Sexuality

Transcript

It is Wise to Guard Your Sexuality
Carrie Smith
Proverbs 4:25-27 “Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil.”







When we have failed in thought or deed
Matthew 5:27, 28 “…everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” So how do we handle past failures?
We remember I John 1:9 It’s under the blood!
We are to turn from the specific sin. This is repentance.
Proverbs 1:23 outlines how God works with our repentance.
#1 “Turn to my reproof”
#2 “Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you”
#3 “I will make my words known to you”
What do we do with the regrets that pop up from our memories? Quickly turn to God!
Hebrews 4:15,16 “… let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Why is Sex Outside of Marriage Really Bad?
#1 Sexual sin violates God’s creation order.
God designed marriage for all people. Genesis 2:24
#2 The Holy Spirit accompanies us wherever we go. I Corinthians 6:13b-20
Don’t fall into wrong thinking:
We love each other so it is okay.
We’re already committed to each other (engaged), what‘s the big deal?
Be concerned with how holy you can be in regards to sex and sexuality.
#3 Immoral relationships have physical and relationship consequences.
*diseases, injury, unwanted pregnancy
*may destroy a marriage (Matthew 19:9)
*you give up your strength to others not benefitting your family and years to the
cruel one. (Proverbs 5:8,9)
*you give up your hard-earned money (Proverbs 5:10)
*may ruin your life (Proverbs 7:22,23)
*you will deal with regret (Proverbs 5:12-14)
*divine judgement (Proverbs 5:21-22; I Cor. 11:32)
*may cost you your life (Proverbs 7:26,27; I Cor. 11:30)

Characteristics of the Immoral Woman
#1 She is discontent. Proverbs 7:10,11,19a
She has a husband and a home. She wants something different than what she has.
There may be real deficiencies: Lack of time together. Unloved. Difficult personality.
Unwise. Sinful. Annoyances, irritations, personality differences.
The wise woman nips discontentment in the bud. Do not dwell there. Tell the Lord about it.
Put your mind on good things regarding your marriage/situation. Be satisfied to walk
along with God and your business in capable hands.
Characteristics of the Immoral Woman cont…

#2 She fuels her lust rather than fleeing it. Proverbs 7:18 “Come…”
#3 She uses speech to get what she wants. Proverbs 7:21 Flirtatious; too personal or familiar
with speech; flatterer; always trying to get something for herself.
#4 She doesn’t think seriously about life. Proverbs 5:6
Lots of things are hard to think about: Painful losses; unmet expectations, difficult decisions, ongoing
difficulties, the daily grind of life
Warning flag! If we feel we must hide, it is probably not good. Proverbs 7:9,10

How not to be like the immoral woman
#1 Respect the power of sexual sin. Proverbs 6:32,33
#2 Recognize what tempts me; recognize a temptation quickly. Do not think about it. Do not
fantasize. Move your mind away. Phil. 4:8
#3 Flee temptation by Fearing the Lord!
Joseph and Potiphar’s wife: Genesis 39:9, 12; I Thessalonians 4:3-5
Do not send signals that you are available.
Rebuff such signals from others (don’t even look their way.)
Be selective in the company you keep. Proverbs 5:8

Safeguarding your marriage
#1 Acknowledge that safeguards are necessary. I Cor. 10:12 Beloved King David, for example.
#2 Cultivate gratitude for your marriage
#3 Immerse yourself in God’s word Proverbs 6:20-24
#4 Don’t buy into the lie that no one will get hurt. Proverbs 6:27,28
#5 Cultivate a healthy sex life (We are the cistern belonging to our husband) Proverbs 5:15-19
*Scripture is not prudish. Song of Solomon
* Married people are to meet each other’s needs. Commanded. I Cor. 7:3
*Married sex is not sinful! (not dirty, not shameful) It is good. God invented it.
Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is to be held in honor…bed is to be undefiled…”
*Delight in each other
*When “I don’t feel like it”
REGARD sex in your marriage as a loving commitment.
RESOLVE to be faithful to your husband in this area. You are THE ONLY ONE
who can meet his very real need for sex.
RESERVE physical and mental energy for your husband. You may have to
whittle down your activities at times or seasons to meet his needs.
#6 Seek the other’s good through all the seasons of life. Husbands and wives will lovingly navigate through.

Cultivate godly jealousy for your marriage
Be protective of your marriage. Don’t allow others into the intimate space you share with your husband. (Please keep your “love talk” off of Facebook.)

This sort of jealousy is not a sin. God displayed righteous jealousy when Israel played the harlot with other gods.

LOVE YOUR HUSBAND!
Titus 2:4