Sex: Design. Distortion. Redemption.Sample

Prayer: 

Before reading, ask God to reveal himself to you today in these passages. As you read about the effects of our sexual decisions and how they can not only negatively affect you, but others as well, pray that God starts to heal these wounds. Or heals the wounds you may have caused someone else. 

“Devastating Ripples”

In middle school, I was on our football team’s offensive line. Specifically, I was an absolutely terrible right guard on our 2nd string B-team. Being absolutely terrible taught me many things about failure. For example: I learned that my personal failure never remained personal. Every time I failed to move into the proper position and block the proper opponent, other people would not only notice, but they would also suffer the consequences of my actions. When I didn’t block the right players, my friends at quarterback or running back would feel the physical and uncomfortable effects of getting slammed by an opposing lineman or linebacker. Needless to say, after a few games, my coach was not the only person begging me to do a better job in the role I was given!

The far-reaching effects of “personal” failure can be seen across every aspect of life. An engineer’s failure to properly design and test a structure can lead to injury or even death for future occupants. A teacher’s failure to prepare can place students at an academic disadvantage. A father’s failure to love and encourage can rob his children of confidence and leave them with inescapable longings for affirmation. A husband or wife’s failure to honor their vows of sexual fidelity can tear families apart and leave everyone with deep emotional scars. My pride, selfishness, anger, and lust will negatively impact my spouse, children, friends, coworkers, and most importantly, my God.

To reinforce our need for diligence and our desire for holiness, God wants His people to recognize that our personal failures, especially sexual sin, will never stay personal.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. When have you seen your failures create devastating consequences in the lives of others? How did you handle the fallout? Did you confess and seek forgiveness?
2. Read 1 Corinthians 6.12-20 and consider the broader consequences of sexual sin in your life. Do you need to seek the forgiveness of others? Do you need to seek the forgiveness of the Lord?

What’s Next:

1. Confess to yourself and to God any “personal” sexual sin that came to mind. Thank the Lord that the darkness of sin in our hearts flees from the light of His promised forgiveness. Rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus Christ died for every sin, whether or not we think it is hidden to anyone other than ourselves.