I want to comment on something I heard on the radio last night with regards to the topic of sexual sin. The man on the radio, David Wheaton, former US tennis pro (#12 in the world at one time) has written a book entitled University of Destruction, where he chronicled the challenges he faced at university, challenges that he wants to alert others to before they face them in person. One of his chapters deals with the issue of sexual sin and he made an interesting point. He said that sexual sin is the only type of sin in the Bible that we are commanded to flee from. Other times we are told to “Resist the Devil and he will flee from you” but when it comes to sexual sin we are the ones who should flee! I had never thought of it in this way before, but the more I think about it the more I agree with him. After all, Joseph fled before the temptation of Potiphar’s wife. So I wondered about why this sin was different to others and this verse came to mind: 1 Corinthians 6:18 – “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.”
So my question is this: is it fair to say that sins that are outside our body are brought by the Devil, and can hence be resisted*, but the sins that are of a sexual nature originate inside our bodies, from our own minds and eyes (men, you know what I mean!), from our nature, not the devil’s, and hence cannot really be resisted, but must be fled from? Is this the reason for this dichotomy of sin?
*I realise that the author is talking about the effects of sin, not its origins, but still...
Related: How to Fight
2 comments:
Interesting post, and one that requires lots of thought and certainly a godly amount of prayer.
Biblically - aside from 1 Corinthians that you quoted here - it is usually written "temptation." Flee from temptation. Resist the Devil, but flee from temptation. Wheaton makes a great point that many people overlook, that sexual sin is usually the one that snags us with seriously strong desires and temptation first. I may be tempted by cake or even gold, but never so much so as a seductress.
The temptation here in sexual sin is so natural to Man (and woman), that it seems "normal" to the world and people see absolutely nothing wrong giving in to it. The modern man may call theft wrong, but never "love."
However, I do think there is great wisdom and purpose in calling us to flee from "temptation" and not just sexual sin. The Word says that we are tempted from the evil that is within our hearts. How is that? Was Christ Himself not tempted? Ah! Here is the clincher! When we are tempted, it is a whispering of the Devil that, if considered even a moment takes root in us forever. Augustine called sin our wrong doing and the punishment of such. The first evil thoughts may be of Satan, but after that, do not all subsequent temptations live off the evil that I have let get hold within my heart? Satan may have to whisper something to me the first time, after that, all it takes is the memory of "her."
Therefore flee from whatever it is that tempts you, the entire situation. Jesus even tells us to cut it out(off) whatever causes us to sin.
Though Christ was tempted as any man is, it took the Devil himself to tempt Christ and He fought him with the Word of God. Christ didn't give it or him any quarter - we have probably never seen Satan, the fallen one.
How these two, Satan and temptation differ is important I think. The Devil is the one doing the tempting, temptation is likely just the situation. I.e. The Devil may speak to me anywhere (even in church) and I can combat him with the Word, but temptation may only arise due to my location or surroundings. For instance, I don't go to men's clubs because I know I would be sexually tempted there.* If you are tempted by porn, stay away from the magazine rack or internet. When you see someone/thing attractive turn your head, walk away or literally run if you must. Replace your tempted thoughts with the Word of God, "The renewing of your mind."
Sexual temptation is something common to every man - gold or fame, not so. But if you are tempted by gold, though harder to flee, stay away from the source (a woman's jewelry or the stockmarket) and if you are tempted by cake, then put a padlock on the fridge. The best way to resist the Devil and to flee from temptation is to surround yourself with other Christians - for it says, and is true, bad company corrupts good morals.
Remember God will always provide a way out.
*Do not think the girls devils, no. That is an important point. That is why Christ loves the harlot, she isn't the devil, Christ is rescuing her from the Devil. Just as He rescues you.
Besides, if sexual temptation arises wholly from within yourself, then you have nowhere to flee to. You cannot run from yourself.
No, I think it is from the situation (or person) that requires fleeing. Your heart's desires must be focused on God - but note, the closer you get to God, the more temptations you will face. Satan fights hardest against the strongest.
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