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Archive for sexual temptation

Sexual sin and the Christian family

Posted by Carey 
· Friday, August 22nd, 2014 

We live in a tremendously sexualized culture. Sexual sin is a natural result.

Sexual sins are some of the things that destroy families and their ability to have radical faith for generations.

But sex is not the real issue behind sexual sin.

Really, it’s not.

Sexual sin happens because believers who once walked close with their LORD (or perhaps never did) have lost their joy in Him. That is where every sexual sin begins, without fail.

So how does our sexualized culture figure into that? By pushing sex (a naturally appealing thing) into the forefront of our minds and attention, to the degree that we become more enamoured with it (a created thing) than we do the joy that comes from walking closely with our LORD (the Creator).

trading jesus for sexual sin is like trading the popsicle for the stickDo you see the tragedy of that?

We’re trading the popsicle for the stick, preferring a kazoo over a stradivarius, delighting in the thing instead of the One who created it.

Are you in the danger zone?

Don’t answer this question by looking at the presence or absence of sexually titillating stuff in your world.

Answer it by how passionately drawn to Jesus you are.

He is the antidote and prevention for sexual sin, and the closer you are to Him, the farther from sexual sins you will find yourself.

So, are you in the danger zone? Are you?

Resist the temptation to point to your church attendance, or Bible reading, or faithfulness to serve in church or the community, or accountability software on your computer as “reasons” why you’re not in the danger zone.

Those things are good and likely wise things to have as a part of your life, but they don’t matter a bit when it comes to avoiding sexual temptation — not really.

What matters is how closely you are walking with Jesus, how consistently you are abiding in Him.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me che is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. – John 15:1-6

 

sexual sin from not abiding

What will you do to get yourself to a place of sexual safety?

What will you do to intentionally, deliberately, in suffering if you must, get back on track in your relationship with Jesus?

There’s no price too high. Really, there’s not. If you don’t draw near to Jesus, your enemy the devil will get you with some kind of temptation. It may not be sexual sin, but you can mark my words, he will get you so wrapped up in something sinful that you won’t know what happened.

Draw near to Jesus.

For His sake.

For your sake.

For the sake of your children.

For the sake of their children, and their children, and their children.

Your passionate pursuit of Jesus today will set the course for generations who come after you. Isn’t it worth it?

This issue really comes down to what you love.

What DO you love?

The sensational? The fantastic? The immediate? The trendy? The popular? The fun? What others think of you?

You’ve got to love Jesus more. You’ve got to.

The video below is by a guy named Derek Webb. He used to sing with Caedmon’s Call, years back. Since then he’s released quite a few of his own solo albums, many of them very controversial, mainly because he’s willing to tackle some tough issues in a straight-forward way. You won’t agree with everything he writes and sings about, but on this one, he’s got it right.

The song is called, “The Spirit VS The Kick Drum.”

Here’s my challenge to you: Listen/watch the video and follow along with the lyrics below it. Try to get Derek’s point that many, many things compete for our love and allegiance, but Jesus has to be number one.

Then decide what you will do to make Jesus the greatest desire of your life.

Go to top

 

“A-one and a-two and a-chick-a-boom-a-chick.”

I don’t want the Spirit; I want the kick drum
I don’t want the Spirit; I want the kick drum
I know how it works, so I’m not dumb
I don’t want the Spirit; I want the kick drum

Like sex without love
Like peace without the Dove
Like a crime scene without the blood
I don’t want the Spirit; you know I want a kick drum

I don’t want the Son; I want a jury of peers
I don’t want the Son; I want a jury of peers
I’m scared of who’s going to see my tears
I don’t want the Son; I want a jury of peers

Like lies without the truth
Like wine without the fruit
Like a skydive without the chute
I don’t want the Son; you know I want a jury of peers
I don’t want the Spirit; you know I want a kick drum

“Oh, groove with me baby”

I don’t want the Father; I want a vending machine
I don’t want the Father; I want a vending machine
I know what I want, if you know what I mean
I don’t want the Father; I want a vending machine

Like heaven without gates
Like hell without flames
Like life without pain
I don’t want the Father; you know I want a vending machine
I don’t want the Son; you know I want a jury of peers
I don’t want the Spirit; you know I want a kick drum
Go to top
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Categories : Spirit Health
Tags : abide in Christ, sex, sexual sin, sexual sins, sexual temptation, spiritual health
sexual temptation for christian men

Podcast 48 – Christian men and sexual temptation

Posted by Carey 
· Wednesday, August 7th, 2013 

Today’s Guests:

Matt, Don, & Carey

REVIEW ON I-TUNES

SUMMARY OF TODAY’S PODCAST
Christian Men and Sexual Temptation

sextingSexuality is one of the explosive issues every person has to deal with, and the way God has wired men seems to make them even more prone to the allure of sexual temptation. It’s an issue that’s been neglected in the church far too often, but one I wanted to deal with head on. In this episode of the podcast I asked two of my good friends, Matt and Don to join me for a conversation about the subject that proved to be a very insightful and helpful one. We discussed the issue of temptation, the destructive impact it can have, how men typically deal with it and how we can deal with it better, measures we have taken personally to serve ourselves and our families as preventatives, and what is at the core of the issue.

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Resources mentioned in this episode

  • Covenant Eyes **
  • Ad Blocker for Firefox


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NEXT EPISODE: August 14, 2013 – Podcast 49- Men and women in the church

Meat & Potatoes by Adam ReyThe main music track used in the Christian Home and Family Podcast is entitled, “Midian” and is from Adam Rey’s instrumental album Meat & Potatoes – Adam has generously given me permission to use his music, so please, support his generosity by checking out and purchasing his music at www.heyreyguitar.com – (no affiliate relationship, Adam’s just my friend.)

** these are affiliate links

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Categories : Marriage, Podcast
Tags : Christian men and sex, sexual temptation, sexuality and christians

4 reasons you need content filtering or accountability software

Posted by Carey 
· Wednesday, November 7th, 2012 

If you don’t use content filtering software, you are naive or foolish.

not using content filtering is foolish

If you don’t use content filtering, you are either naive or a fool!
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That’s the gist of what Pastor and counselor Brad Hambrick said recently in a podcast interview I did with him on the topic of “Christian Families in a Sexualized World.” He went on to explain.

  • If you think you don’t need content filtering, or that your kids won’t get into bad stuff on the internet – YOU ARE NAIVE.
  • If you know the possibility is there and don’t do anything to prevent it – YOU ARE FOOLISH.

I can’t agree more.

But content filtering should be used out of wisdom, not panic

Christians should be the most peaceful and confident people on the planet. We serve the sovereign and almighty King of the universe. We have nothing to fear.

There is no reason to panic… not even about the dangers the internet holds. You and your children are safe in the arms of the LORD.

HOWEVER,

The LORD uses a variety of means to provide His protection to you… and one of those is His instruction to live wisely. So it is out of wisdom and not panic that we should consider measures like content filtering software. In this post I’ll be unashamedly recommending Covenant Eyes as the service of choice. At the end of the post I’ll tell you why.

The truth is that there are very real dangers the internet brings, and we don’t want to be naive or foolish.

4 reasons your family needs content filtering or accountability software

reason for content filtering - video sharing1. Video sharing sites

YouTube is the 2nd largest search engine in the world (second to Google, which owns YouTube). And YouTube is not the only video sharing site out there. Though many of these sites have content guidelines that prohibit users uploading pornographic or offensive content, there’s still a lot of wiggle room in terms of what is deemed pornographic or offensive. It’s not only easy, but VERY easy for members of your family to find tantalizing things on these sharing sites. Things that could bring temptations that you are better off without.

reason for content accountability - social networks2. Social Networks

Social networks are a great thing. I love my Facebook account because of the people from years gone by with whom I’ve been able to reconnect. But part of the sad truth about that is that it’s more and more common for improper relationships to begin over social networks. It’s not the fault of the social network, it’s the fault of a person who dove in with no accountability. Social networks are also a context where people can easily portray themselves to be something they are not. Predators can pose as teens. Teens can pose as adults. And none of that is good. The simple truth is that it can be hard to tell who is genuine and who is not.

gaming - reason for internet accountability3. Gaming

Online gaming is huge… really huge. From Words with Friends to Halo, the varieties of online games seem endless. While there’s nothing wrong with the diversion of a game, there is something drastically wrong when the amount of time spent in a fantasy world begins to eclipse the amount of time spent in the real world. Wisdom demands that we monitor our time online to ensure that right priorities are not being pushed aside for the sake of lesser ones. And some folks in your family may need a little accountability along that line from time to time.

4. Pornography

This is the issue most of us think of when we think of filtering or accountability software… and for good reason. The plague of pornography is spreading across the world thanks to the internet. The issue is becoming more and more significant among teens. Check out this info-graphic about teens and porn from the folks at Covenant Eyes…

porn - why you need content filtering and accountability software

Content filtering  and accountability software is available for most modern devices

Covenant Eyes provides content filtering and accountability software, for computers and most mobile devices. By using it you can take effective measures to protect your family, be on guard, and open the door to meaningful conversations about these important issues.

That’s where you want to end up… talking about all these issues openly, honestly, and in light of the calling and purpose Christ has for your family.

I can’t stress how helpful these kinds of intentional steps can be in helping those who are struggling and preventing those who are not from ever beginning the struggle.

What steps do you take to avoid these danger spots of the internet?

(all links to Covenant Eyes in this post are affiliate links)

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Categories : Parenting, Spirit Health
Tags : covenant eyes, filtering software, internet accountability, sexual temptation, spiritual health
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