When I stopped by a nearby restaurant to pick up some food, a guy and a girl standing in the parking lot caught my attention. Their arms linked together, the guy craftily reached to place his hand between her legs. My heart sank, and I began to pray that they know the beauty of glorifying God with their bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
Because the world we live in often equates sex with approval, it’s little wonder that people end up with some very mixed-up ideas about sexual desire and its purpose. Consider the sphere of advertising. Owned by Unilever, Dove’s campaign for “real beauty” has resonated in the hearts of women in different parts of the world. Ironically, Axe, another one of Unilever’s trademark products, is known for its advertisements that make women out to be little more than sexual animals, driven by their inner lust.While sexual desire is a God-given gift, Satan has taken something good and twisted it into a selfish pursuit. True love, however, is selfless and honorable. Paul writes, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:9-10).
Married or single, even those who have placed their hope in Jesus will experience sexual temptation. And living in purity doesn’t simply mean keeping one’s clothes on during a date. It begins with the heart (Proverbs 4:23) and has much to say about a healthy relationship with God (1 Thessalonians 4:1), ourselves (1 Thessalonians 4:4), and others (1 Timothy 5:2).
When we allow God’s greatest commandments—to love God with everything and to love others as we love ourselves—to seep into the core of our being, the strength to remain sexually pure becomes greater.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Esther 6:1–7:10
More:
Read Hosea 2:13-19 and consider how our view of God shapes our view of His commandments. What’s the difference between a husband and a master? (Hosea 2:16).
Next:
When have you faced sexual temptation recently? What lies has the enemy used to draw you into compromise?
tom felten on May 7, 2013 at 2:51 pm
Regina, thanks for lifting our eyes to God—the One who can help us in our temptations. I’m helped and encouraged also by these words from the apostle Paul: “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8). As we fix our eyes on Jesus and fix our thoughts on the good things Paul lists, we find strength to overcome temptation and glorify God.
alli on May 7, 2013 at 4:54 pm
The lies are everyone lives this way and if you dont something is wrong with you. Its simple really the world says you are missing something but really you just get destroyed if immorality exists apart from marriage.
yemiks1 on May 7, 2013 at 6:22 pm
Its a bitter thing to fall into sexual lust. And no matter what, apart from marriage, sexual lust=sexual love. Best advise is don’t look the 2nd time!
“But with God all things are possible.” Luke 1:37
mike wittmer on May 7, 2013 at 8:10 pm
That is an insightful comment on how cynically companies use sex to sell their products. When it comes to sex, we should trust the inventor rather than the user, as He certainly would know it best. May we all feel His love before we turn to others for it.
marvin williams on May 10, 2013 at 8:12 am
Regina, this is spot on. This is such a timely message to us. We are living in a post Christian culture that issues of sex before marriage, friends with benefits, living together, and sexting aren’t even viewed as sin. The more disturbing truth is that we can’t really tell the difference between those who follow Jesus and those who don’t. All the more reason why followers of Jesus should live lives set apart for his glory. There are so many layers to this issue, but your words help us to start peeling. Thanks.