We live in a highly sexualised society today with destructive
implications for the Christian faith.
According to a recent Barna research study, the ease of
access to the internet and mobile phones “have
fundamentally changed the landscape of pornography, and ushered it into the
cultural mainstream where it enjoys increasingly widespread acceptance.”
Viewing porn has become socially acceptable in our culture
today, particularly among teens and young adults. Consider the following:
·
54% of adults 25+ say viewing porn is wrong, and
among teens and young adults 13-24, only 32% say viewing porn is wrong
·
57% young adults seek out porn either daily,
weekly or monthly
·
About two in five Christians say they are
comfortable looking at porn, compared to nearly seven in 10 among all teens and
adults. They are also about twice as likely to say they’d like to stop (40%)
than to say they’d like to use less (21%)
The lie of our culture whispers that everyone else has it
better, the grass is always greener, or we missed out somehow. As
access to pornography has increased, the stigma toward it also decreasing at an
alarming rate. The Ashley Madison website spectacle, where users names where
leaked to the world, is only the beginning.
At any given church service, do not be surprised that at
least over half the male population are hiding a double life of viewing
pornography. It is a deceptive, twisted and evil trap of the devil, and an open
door for him to work destruction in our lives. Pornography is the devil’s last end time’s
weapon he uses to keep Christians in sin and separated from God.
Proverbs 12:28
In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immorality.
Regardless of the ease of access to sexual immorality, God’s
standards have not changed. He still expects His people to live pure lives, be
holy and to reject the temptation of sin.
Our heart condition is very important to God. Scripture says,
“Without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). Holiness is to be
separated for God and a holy and ready vessel He can use. It is not in our
ability to attain but a mighty work God does within us through His imputed grace
and spirit.
The cry of David’s prayer in Psalm 51 was “Create in me a
clean heart O’ God, renew a right spirit in me.” No matter how ingrained in sin
we become, the power of God can restore, renew and cleanse us if we repent and
are willing to change. God’s grace is not a licence to sin but an opportunity
to get it right.
The battle for our hearts between purity and immorality will
not stop in this world. The war between the flesh and spirit is a personal
choice we must take responsibility for. Every time we fail simply go back to
the throne of grace in prayer, seek God’s forgiveness and mercy, get up and try
again. 1 John 1:9 promises us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful to
forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Do not forget that we don’t pray from a place of defeat but
should pray from a place of victory! The Holy Spirit in us and God’s imputed
grace gives us the power to overcome temptation, sin and all sexual immorality.
Pray from a place of victory today, and desire to become all
God created you to be from a place of a pure heart.
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