Sunday, April 11, 2010

Overcoming Sin, Part 5

Overcoming sin has a practical side. Filling time with fellow believers, especially in acts of service toward others, is key. The old adage, "an idle mind is the devil's workshop," is an adage for a logical reason. Memorizing pertinent scriptures and exercising the discipline to recite them when being tempted to revisit the old pattern helped me. 1 Corinthians 10:13 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 were especially powerful in my circumstance.

However, none of the practical will be effective over the long term, if the biblical revelation of God being a holy God is not accepted as the core reason for seeking to overcome sin--especially sexual sins. There can be no overcoming of sin, if the spiritual truths associated with sin are not embraced.

We do not reject the need for sleep, food, water or excretory function for any reason. We simply accept these drives as necessary for biological life. The sexual drive is a bit more complex since it is a physiological need deeply rooted in our emotional need. Unlike any of the aforementioned biology, the sexual drive may be denied without death occurring as a consequence. So why deny it?

There is no reason for anyone to deny the sexual drive of the human body is the view of most people. After all, it is a biological drive just like eating ... until one considers the words found in the Bible in multiple places regarding sexuality. One interpretation of these references (from my viewpoint the most logical and accurate interpretation) is that the sexual union between man and woman is only authorized by God as occurring within marriage. All other sexual activity is considered sin. Homosexuality is forbidden specifically with no references being found that a committed union may be included in the blessed state of marriage. (That is the subject of the next post.)

Which leads inexorably to denial of all thoughts, desires and decisions around sexual activity outside of marriage. Folks claiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior either accept this or rationalize it away.

How is denial of the sexual drive to be accomplished?

Loving God for Who He is, is the motivational spark which lights the will to self-denial. At the beginning of each day if I am not centering my thinking, my emotions and my will on the whole concept of love for God, I have no hope of maintaining any faithfulness to the commands and principles found in the Bible. To love anyone means knowing that person's characteristics and loving the person fully for the whole--sometimes in spite of--these characteristics. Unconditional love.

Not so with God. There is no "in spite of this characteristic" in loving Him. All God's characteristics, which include both His beautiful grace and His perfect judgment may be easily loved. Of all His characteristics, His holiness is the most compelling and inscrutable attribute. It is because of His holiness that His grace and judgment exist. In His holiness is the source both of the blessings' flow and all His commands against some actions labeled sin, which thus carry negative consequences.

I have learned I cannot overcome sin--any kind of sin-- without the loving of God as my motivation. I cannot truly love God for Who He is, if I deny His holiness. I think this is true for all of us.

7 comments:

Steve Sensenig said...

Good to see you continue this series, David. I'm trying to get back into blog reading (and even writing) a little bit, and yours is one that I value reading.

So, do I understand correctly from something you said in this post that the next one will deal with the question of "what is marriage"?

I think that's a great question to ask in the context of this discussion, but probably more related to heterosexual relationships than homosexual in terms of where you're coming from on the homosexuality question.

But it's a great question to ask, and I look forward to reading your thoughts on it. The issue of "marriage" becomes complicated by governmental and societal expectations regarding "marriage". I often wonder what the writers of the Bible had in mind when they talked about "husband and wife", especially when you consider the almost nonchalant attitude (especially in the Old Testament) toward polygamy.

Steve Sensenig said...

Let me hasten to add, however, that I'm not looking for a justification for polygamy!!! The comment I wrote might have given that impression.

ded said...

Hey Steve,

I appreciate you visiting to read.
It's always good to hear from you in any format!

In the just finished series on sin, homosexuality was a bit of a sub-topic. I intend a post where I address homosexuality in particular and tie up a few loose ends on my view of God's plan for human sexuality.

This will mean speaking some directly on marriage, but that is not the topic.

Steve Sensenig said...

Ohhh, I misunderstood the following:

Homosexuality is forbidden specifically with no references being found that a committed union may be included in the blessed state of marriage. (That is the subject of the next post.)

I read the parenthetical note as referring to "marriage", but I guess you meant it as referring to the complete sentence.

I would love to hear your thoughts sometime on what you think marriage really is in God's eyes and what it is in relation to the way in which the Bible talks about it.

Steve Sensenig said...

Ahhh, I misunderstood the following:

Homosexuality is forbidden specifically with no references being found that a committed union may be included in the blessed state of marriage. (That is the subject of the next post.)

I thought the parenthetical statement referred to marriage, but I guess you meant it as referring to the entire sentence.

At some point, I would love to get your thoughts on what marriage is in our Father's eyes, and especially as it regards the ways in which it is referenced in the Bible.

Steve Sensenig said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ded said...

Hard for all meanings to be crystal clear, no?