- Feb 7, 2010
- 94
- 27
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Married
Ezekiel 14:3b
They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin.
I recently purchased a tablet, which is like a small laptop computer that works like a smart phone in how it connects to the internet and runs applications. An example of a popular tablet is the Ipad, though that is not the kind I got. As a computer nerd, this was like a being a kid in a candy store when I started using this device. All kinds of new stuff was on it, not only flashy and fun, but practical, useful, and educational apps I really liked this thing better than I ever imagined I would, and could see myself using it for many hours a week, perhaps developing my own apps for it.
Over the years Ive had a battle against the temptations of pornography. Im ashamed of that weakness and my failures, which have snatched me away from many other good things, have impacted my marriage and family, and have stifled ministry opportunities. While Ive been free of that for eight months, my past history has been to eventually go back to it periodically because of its availability and my divided heart.
Our society has so embraced sexual sin that porn is a normal part of life for a vast majority, so Ive been told. Our churches have so embraced this culture, that Ive heard that as many as 80-90% of the men are viewing pornography periodically, and even 30-40% of the women. This is in the church family. As a society we have renamed what God calls sin to a term we like better adult. In fact, it seems to have become a perk for being grown up, like getting to stay up late.
God, on the other hand, does not agree with that change of terms, and he finds our promiscuity, adultery, and idolatry patently offensive. He hasnt sat by while weve gone this direction as believers and as a society like its ok with him. Instead, it is clear, like in Romans 1, that he has handed us over to our own fleshly desires so that we can learn the hard way, like a child with full access to that candy store who learns why there are limits.
God is sending out his warnings to those who will listen, calling us away from that trap and its bondage to sexual sin. But like Israel in the Old Testament, most believers are rebellious and dont want to hear it, including people in full-time ministry. We are to be a people removed from the fleshly practices of this world, holy and separate for Gods use, not one of the guys who fits right in.
In recent days God has warned me about my past and the victory he has given me over sexual sin, both in practice and at the heart level. He has reminded me of the short time Ive had that victory, and like in the passage above, has warned me that my tablet could likely become an idol and could lead me back into sin at this time in my life. One of the dangers of a tablet or smart phone is the additional privacy it provides and the greater lack of accountability (less chance of getting caught). And though I dont at all feel a desire or weakness that direction any more, I do believe God , who knows what he is talking about. He also warned me from 1 Corinthians 6:18 that I need to Run from sexual sin! How clear is that? I get the picture of Joseph, almost in the grasp of Potiphars wife, who literally ran from her presence to avoid sexual sin.
So I have chosen to give up my tablet, because I believe God and never want to go back to that pit I was in for so many years. I want my heart to be pure before him, and the rest of my life to be available to him for whatever he has for me to do. Yes, I am damaged goods and have failed many times, but God specializes in using people just like me so that he gets the glory for what is accomplished.
If you battle in areas of sexual sin, I strongly recommend you listen to Gods warnings and flee from those temptations and everything that might lead you back into that evil realm. We have become so numb to Gods perspective on this that many allow this into their homes regularly and see no harm in this form of entertainment. We have believed Satans lies about sexual sin because it is so attractive, and so those things that were once sacred to our marriages have become a matter of convenience, opportunity, and control. Instead of being a part of intimate love between two God has joined together as one for life, it has become more like a sporting event and an entitlement, with no perceived consequences as long as we dont get caught.
But there are consequences often devastating and we do eventually get caught. Gods truth is the truth, whether we believe it or not. Over and over in Ezekiel God declares judgments about to fall against Israel, and ends each with, Then you will know that I am the Lord. Do not think we are exempt from his wrath today if we continue down the paths Israel did.
The leaders in Ezekiel 14:3 had embraced things that would make them fall into sin. They were also leading others into the same sins with their eyes wide open and acting as if they were not doing anything wrong. God was appalled that they had the nerve to even come to Ezekiel and ask God for advice.
Is that what you do? Are you living in rebellion against what God has told you and ignoring his warnings, and then asking him for his help when you need it later? Is there something in your life that is leading you into sin or will? God gave Israel many warnings, but eventually judgment fell against them each time they ignored him and followed after the idols of the land they were in.
If your heart belongs to the Lord, what is he telling you to change in your life? Do you long to live a godly life, free to follow after Jesus Christ with all your heart? I do. The, as Hebrews 12:1-2 says, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith . Its a matter of priorities and goals. It wont be easy, but God never promised it would be. Lets listen to Gods voice and throw off those weights now, once and for all, and run the rest of this race beside Jesus and each other. Your children will probably follow in your footsteps. Where will you be leading them?
They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin.
I recently purchased a tablet, which is like a small laptop computer that works like a smart phone in how it connects to the internet and runs applications. An example of a popular tablet is the Ipad, though that is not the kind I got. As a computer nerd, this was like a being a kid in a candy store when I started using this device. All kinds of new stuff was on it, not only flashy and fun, but practical, useful, and educational apps I really liked this thing better than I ever imagined I would, and could see myself using it for many hours a week, perhaps developing my own apps for it.
Over the years Ive had a battle against the temptations of pornography. Im ashamed of that weakness and my failures, which have snatched me away from many other good things, have impacted my marriage and family, and have stifled ministry opportunities. While Ive been free of that for eight months, my past history has been to eventually go back to it periodically because of its availability and my divided heart.
Our society has so embraced sexual sin that porn is a normal part of life for a vast majority, so Ive been told. Our churches have so embraced this culture, that Ive heard that as many as 80-90% of the men are viewing pornography periodically, and even 30-40% of the women. This is in the church family. As a society we have renamed what God calls sin to a term we like better adult. In fact, it seems to have become a perk for being grown up, like getting to stay up late.
God, on the other hand, does not agree with that change of terms, and he finds our promiscuity, adultery, and idolatry patently offensive. He hasnt sat by while weve gone this direction as believers and as a society like its ok with him. Instead, it is clear, like in Romans 1, that he has handed us over to our own fleshly desires so that we can learn the hard way, like a child with full access to that candy store who learns why there are limits.
God is sending out his warnings to those who will listen, calling us away from that trap and its bondage to sexual sin. But like Israel in the Old Testament, most believers are rebellious and dont want to hear it, including people in full-time ministry. We are to be a people removed from the fleshly practices of this world, holy and separate for Gods use, not one of the guys who fits right in.
In recent days God has warned me about my past and the victory he has given me over sexual sin, both in practice and at the heart level. He has reminded me of the short time Ive had that victory, and like in the passage above, has warned me that my tablet could likely become an idol and could lead me back into sin at this time in my life. One of the dangers of a tablet or smart phone is the additional privacy it provides and the greater lack of accountability (less chance of getting caught). And though I dont at all feel a desire or weakness that direction any more, I do believe God , who knows what he is talking about. He also warned me from 1 Corinthians 6:18 that I need to Run from sexual sin! How clear is that? I get the picture of Joseph, almost in the grasp of Potiphars wife, who literally ran from her presence to avoid sexual sin.
So I have chosen to give up my tablet, because I believe God and never want to go back to that pit I was in for so many years. I want my heart to be pure before him, and the rest of my life to be available to him for whatever he has for me to do. Yes, I am damaged goods and have failed many times, but God specializes in using people just like me so that he gets the glory for what is accomplished.
If you battle in areas of sexual sin, I strongly recommend you listen to Gods warnings and flee from those temptations and everything that might lead you back into that evil realm. We have become so numb to Gods perspective on this that many allow this into their homes regularly and see no harm in this form of entertainment. We have believed Satans lies about sexual sin because it is so attractive, and so those things that were once sacred to our marriages have become a matter of convenience, opportunity, and control. Instead of being a part of intimate love between two God has joined together as one for life, it has become more like a sporting event and an entitlement, with no perceived consequences as long as we dont get caught.
But there are consequences often devastating and we do eventually get caught. Gods truth is the truth, whether we believe it or not. Over and over in Ezekiel God declares judgments about to fall against Israel, and ends each with, Then you will know that I am the Lord. Do not think we are exempt from his wrath today if we continue down the paths Israel did.
The leaders in Ezekiel 14:3 had embraced things that would make them fall into sin. They were also leading others into the same sins with their eyes wide open and acting as if they were not doing anything wrong. God was appalled that they had the nerve to even come to Ezekiel and ask God for advice.
Is that what you do? Are you living in rebellion against what God has told you and ignoring his warnings, and then asking him for his help when you need it later? Is there something in your life that is leading you into sin or will? God gave Israel many warnings, but eventually judgment fell against them each time they ignored him and followed after the idols of the land they were in.
If your heart belongs to the Lord, what is he telling you to change in your life? Do you long to live a godly life, free to follow after Jesus Christ with all your heart? I do. The, as Hebrews 12:1-2 says, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith . Its a matter of priorities and goals. It wont be easy, but God never promised it would be. Lets listen to Gods voice and throw off those weights now, once and for all, and run the rest of this race beside Jesus and each other. Your children will probably follow in your footsteps. Where will you be leading them?
