Monday, October 31, 2022

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

1 Thessalonians 4:1-4

I remember the first time I saw the word sex. It’s like something inside me knew that there was something prohibitive about it. It was written on the bricks of my elementary school. Immediately when I saw it, a shame came over me – not sure why, but it did. I knew that this was something that I should not ask my mother or father about, so I went to my older sister while working in the field. I asked her what is sex. She, being the responsible older sister said, “I don’t think I need to answer that question. You need to go to mamma and daddy about that.” I would go years without having that conversation with my mother. I remember vividly my mom talking to me and my older sister about it – a brief conversation that focused a lot on the importance of not getting pregnant.

Sex can be complicated. It has the power to bring much pleasure but can be the source of much pain. This week, we will cover some of the problems we have when sex is misused. The pleasures of sex in its proper place can lead to high fulfillment, but in the improper place, it can lead to the lowest degradation. This is usually a great testing ground for the Lordship of Christ. It also has the power to keep you helmed into a place God never intended. Samson. David. Joseph.

PRAYER: Search me, Lord. Turn the light of heaven on my soul. If you find anything that shouldn’t be, take it out and strengthen me, because I want to be right. I want to exhibit my salvation, and I want to be whole. In the name of Jesus, Amen.