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The Challenge of Sexual Purity

A month or so ago, I was talking with the counselor at my church and he told me that sexual addiction is the number one problem among men with whom he counsels. This scares me to death. We live in a cesspool of explicit pornography and graphically displayed sex that is hard to escape or avoid. I have been faithful to my wife for 41 years, and, with God’s help and grace, intend to keep it that way. It is an increasing challenge.

Flee Youthful Passions

2 Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” Although I am not young any longer, the advice still stands. I need to run away from movies, books, magazines, music, and web sites that displease the Lord and can cause me to go down a road that can be hard to come back from. The song A Pure Heart by Rusty Nelson speaks volumes to me. Its lyrics say, “A pure heart, that’s what I long for; a heart that follows hard after Thee. A heart that hides Your word so that sin will not come in; a heart that’s undivided, but one You rule and reign; a heart that beats compassion, that pleases You my Lord, a sweet aroma of worship that rises to Your throne.”

Failure Can Be Fatal

I am reminded of Paul’s warning in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” What a horrible thought—to be taken out of the game and on the sidelines watching the action from a distance. Is failure never fatal? In some cases it may well be. I have seen it and so have you. Do you need to make some changes? How close to the edge are you getting? Get Pastor Dave's new book, Leaders Who Last—available now.