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Purity Spotlight
Embrace the Gift of Purity
Do you see a life of purity as a gift? If not, you aren't alone. Many people view living a life of purity as a duty or obligation, a sort of back breaking burden they must endure. But this isn't how God wants us to see purity. He has a larger vision He wants us to embrace: purity as a gift.
I remember when I began my first steps on the journey to purity over 7 years ago. I was scared, embarrassed, angry, and all other sorts of emotions combined. I knew that all I had done secretly up to that point had proven empty and caused severe damage to all my relationships. I also knew that if I didn't change, my life would only worsen. But one thought that never entered my mind was to see the journey ahead as a gift!? No, at that time it seemed more like a horrible torture chamber, with me wobbling forward in a direction I had never gone and without any point of reference to guide me. I felt lost and alone. But I also knew I had no other choice.
This is where the "gift" part comes in. God truly is merciful. He didn't need to put up with my rebellion. He didn't have to be patient and gentle with me. He would have been justified in just removing me from the planet. But He showed mercy and instead decided to take me on a journey of healing and restoration. And by showing such mercy, He was offering a gift I never would have received otherwise; the gift of a changed life.
Interestingly, the journey to purity is not one of ease or comfort. In fact, it costs. A lot. And it even requires pain as part of the process. I know it's hard to wrap our minds around the idea of pain being part of a gift, but this is the way to freedom. Learning to endure pain in order to reach the "promised land" of purity, peace, and freedom produces deeply ingrained character traits that would not otherwise exist: patience, humility, and gentleness. It is often hard to see this connection between pain and purity, but once it is realized the pace seems to quicken toward the life you always desired.
I challenge you to make a shift in your thinking regarding your personal pursuit of purity. Rather than see each day as a monumental burden of endless temptations to resist, begin to embrace the gift of purity that awaits just beyond the pain of momentary sacrifice. As you develop this new mindset of thanksgiving for such a merciful gift, you will certainly experience more victory and even enjoy the abundant life God provides.
Real Answers to Real Questions
Real Question: It bothers me that there seems to be such a need for "human effort" in the recovery process. I wonder where the power is that the Scriptures refer to for the one desiring freedom from sexual addiction. Why is God's grace and power not more evident in enabling me to achieve victory?
Real Answer: I can identify with your struggle here. It does seem like we should just be able to confess our weakness(es), wait for a divine bolt of lightning, and experience overwhelming victory. This, however, isn't how life usually works.
I am convinced that God is most interested in taking us through a process of transformation, not just cleaning up a few behaviors here and there. And transformation for someone who has developed a years-long (maybe decades-long) habit of dealing with life through pride, reasoning, or lust the process is more involved. In many ways, such a transformation is like peeling the layers off an onion. For all the years of calling your own shots and doing it your way, you added a layer to the onion. So, to really get back to your "core" you must peel away layer after layer of pride, false beliefs, and ungodly thinking. This takes time and patience as you walk with God's Spirit through the darker parts of your heart and mind.
I have also learned that many times God's power is revealed through obedience to what we already know to do. Sometimes we are looking for the silver bullet, that special nugget of wisdom or insight that will take us over the top in our struggle with sexual lust. What God is asking, however, is for us to simply begin obeying what we already know to do. As we obey in the simple things, His power is unleashed because we are walking in His will and strength, not ours.
Also, God's grace is reserved for the humble. He is clear in His Word that He opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). We must quite calling the shots and really learn what it is to follow Him. This often proves to be more difficult than it seems, especially when we have spent decades doing things our own way and based on our shifting moods.
Finally, I do believe there is a sort of "partnership" God calls us to in the healing process. Scripture tells us that Christ's divine power has given us all we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) As His children we possess (right now) all we need for the life God prepared for us. But we also have a responsibility to respond in faith and obedience to that calling - God doesn't maneuver us like puppets. We must participate in the process by humbling ourselves before Him and then responding to His leading. This takes time, focus, listening, patience, and endurance. (all characteristics, by the way, that will require dependence on the Holy Spirit to achieve).
So, deliberately place your life into God's hands. Quit trying to accomplish the supernatural through natural means. It is the righteous who will live by faith, not by reasoning, logic, ability, or wealth. The righteous live by faith. And all that takes is faith the size of a mustard seed...
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Do you have a real question you need answered? If so, email it to us at questions@bebroken.com.
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Featured Resource
Somebody's Daughter CD
This CD, produced by Music for the Soul, is a powerful resource to help men gain a heart level understanding of the immeasurable value of women and what is necessary to be a man of purity. It allows men to capture the essence of women from God's perspective and give them a desire for purity.
Every man needs this CD! Especially men struggling to overcome sexually addictive behaviors. It makes a great gift item as well.
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