There's a great series happening right now at one of my
Three Favorite Churches. It's called
Sex, Money & Power: The Man Series. I don't think there's a person alive who can't relate to the things Perry Noble talks about in this series at
NewSpring Church...
even you, ladies!!!In last Sunday's sermon "Body Language," Perry spoke the tough truths about sexual temptation. Every time I read about or hear about this topic, something in me feels so defeated. I remember reading the book
Every Man's Battle and feeling entirely hopeless. There are so few men who are willing to take up the challenge of fighting sexual temptation, and
so few women who take care to dress in a way that doesn't provoke it. We are all
so very broken. One of the things I love about Perry's preaching is that he provides useful applications. Somehow that redirects my hopelessness into a place where I feel like healing and growth is possible. Still, it will require tons of accountability and prayer to maintain these objectives:
Perry's Ten Commandments For Avoiding Sexual Temptation 1. He will have no other human relationships before his wife, including the kids.
2. He will remember date night and keep it holy.
3. He will always view his wife through the eyes of Christ and see her as the standard of beauty in his life. (What?! Awesome.)
4. He will never think that he is above temptation. (I Cor 10:12)
5. He will never spend time alone with another woman (even on a car ride) or travel alone.
6. He will not talk about his spouse in a negative manner.
7. He will not ever discuss the intimate details of his marriage with anyone other than his wife.
8. He will not watch pornography or expose himself to other illicit materials that will cause him to lust after other women and devalue his wife to a mere sex object.
9. He will not confuse fantasy and reality.
10. He will not forget the 7th commandment (“Do not commit adultery.”)
It challenges me to want to write out my own list of ways that I will avoid involvement in sexual temptation... but that's probably because I'm Type A, and I looooove me some lists! :) If you have suggestions for what should go on a woman's list, even if (or perhaps
especially if) you're not a woman, leave 'em in the comments!
If you want to listen to the whole sermon (and trust me, you do), you can download it
here, stream it
here, and watch the video of it
here.