At Resolved 2009, Rick Holland, college pastor at Grace Community in Sun Valley, CA, presented a message from Proverbs 5 on developing a Biblical strategy for fighting sexual sin. I would encourage anyone to listen or watch the message at http://www.resolved.org/media/. If you are a woman, simply replace the gender in the notes that follow as Rick also says in the message itself. Solomon (and God) is speaking to all of us.
Resolved 2009: A Biblical Strategy For Fighting Sexual Sin
Rick Holland: Proverbs 5
6 Biblical Strategies That Will Ensure Sexual Purity
1. Undertake the pursuit of Biblical instruction (about sexual purity), v. 1-2
- you would be wise to put yourself under your parents’ instruction
- undertake…to have discretion and wisdom
- undertake…so you will have words to say to your soul (when temptation comes)
2. Undress the deception of sexual sin, v. 3-6
- “adulteress”: anyone or anything that would encourage us toward any kind of sexual experience outside of marriage
- all Biblical references to “flirting” are in the context of a harlot–there is no safe or cute flirting outside of marriage
- the adulteress is lethal (“two-edged sword” — design to kill)
- she/it doesn’t ponder the path of life or the cause/effect it will have on your life
3. Understand the value of safe distance, v. 7-8
- Joseph principle: run! get away! keep distance away from temptation
- not “how far can we go physically?” but rather “how holy can we stay?”
- is the glory of God on your mind when you are talking to an attractive girl?
- running from sexual sin is brutally painful because you are crucifying the flesh
4. Unmask the regret of sin’s aftermath, v. 9-14
- v. 9 lose dignity and respect, v.10 lose resources (i.e. to pregnancy), v. 12-13 remorse, v. 14 public disgrace
- ask, “is it worth it?”
- the consequences are inevitable and unavoidable
- play out the tape/scenario if you fell into sexual immorality–effects on spouse, kids, ministry, etc.
5. Unlock the satisfaction of marital intimacy/fidelity, v. 15-19, Song of Solomon 4:15
- cf. to and summary of another series by Rick Holland:
“Be Godly – Find Someone Godly – Get Married – Make Disciples” - be exhilarated with her love
- be satisfied with your spouse and your spouse alone
- the best antidote for sexual frustration is a healthy relationship with your wife
- Psalm 84:11 — no good thing does God withhold from those who walk upright
6. Unleash the power of God’s omniscience, v. 20-23
- purity is a response to the living God, not just behavior modification
- “in the moment of sin, every man is a practical atheist” — A.W. Tozer
- Hebrews 4:13 — nothing is hidden from God
- God sees it all, thoughts and actions
Response:
- seek pastoral care and counsel
- find accountability and help, but know that no one (except for God) will ever hold you fully accountable
- think about where you want to be at the end of life
- what you are doing now matters — the choices your make now matter
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