Christian Living
Sex and its Proper Use (Where must the Church stand?)
The issue of sex and its proper use is the most important issue in the church today and in our society. Human sexuality is one of the, most talked about topics in America and the world. Television uses sex and sensuality to sell and promote almost everything worldwide. Since the sexual revolution in the 1960’s, America has developed an attitude or mindset that anything that feels good must be good. The decline of moral values in humanity is (in my opinion) at its lowest point, even lower than the days of Noah. People have the idea that it is their moral right to choose their own moral standard of living and that they should not have to conform to any ‘rigid or frigid’ course of life.
We see today in America and Worldwide reputable news organizations (TV, newspaper, radio, Internet, etc.) having openly accepted and allowing homosexuals (transsexuals, transvestites, and lesbians) to anchor news and sports programs. Pornography has grown up, in this country alone, to become one of the largest billion dollar industries operating today. With the inventions of the Internet, Satellite, Cable, and Pay per View Television, Satan has made the access to immoral sex private and easy to indulge.
According to the United States Industry Revenue Statistics on Pornography, the United States pornography revenue alone exceeded the combined revenues of ABC, CBS, and NBC in 2006. These numbers should be frightening to all Americans and especially those of the house hold of faith. This money did not come by osmosis, people of all genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds are pouring in their hard-earned money to grow this industry. Even those in the visible church have helped in growing this industry.
If you were to conduct a survey of people, most (if they were honest), would have to admit that they have viewed some form of pornography at some time in their life. The problem is most people don't even believe that anything is wrong with adults viewing pornography or with any type of private adult sexual behavior. This is a result of Satan’s deceptive power. When we allow ourselves to believe (accept as truth) a lie, we then begin to live according to that belief.
In every major city in America, prostitution rings (the Governor Spitzer case proves this point) and strip clubs work to lure men and women into moral corruption. Sadly, the church is not much better in its proper use or teaching on sexual behavior. We have denominations who have ordained openly homosexual Priest, Bishops, and Pastors. They teach that a person can be in right standing with God and live this lifestyle everyday of their lives. That grace covers their intentional immoral behavior. This teaching is heresy and false doctrine (a doctrine of demons).
It is a result of the moral decay of the larger worldly society (controlled by Satan) and it is not new. The Apostle Paul warned us that ferocious wolves would get in among you, not sparing the flock; Even from among your own selves men will come to the front who, by saying perverse (distorted and corrupt) things, will endeavor to draw away the disciples.
God said of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah that the outcry that had come up to Him against them, was because their sins were very grievous or severe. Certainly the same thing can be said today of the moral and spiritual condition in America, around the world, and even in the visible church. Many in the visible church have twisted the Scriptures to their own destruction (as the Bible warned us would happen).
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self and utterly self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate greedy desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. They will be without natural human affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); they will be slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. They will be treacherous, betrayers, rash, and inflated with self-conceit. They will be lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. For although they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies, contradicts, or negates the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid all such people [turn away from them]. (Quick Amplified Bible)
Now when we read verses one through four, we might first mistakenly believe that the Apostle is referring to those outside the church. However, he clearly tells us in verse five of 2 Timothy that this message is for those imposter's in the church.
Luke 13:24-27 Strive to enter by the narrow door [force yourselves through it], for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house gets up and closes the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door [again and again], saying, Lord, open to us! He will answer you, I do not know where [what household--certainly not Mine] you come from. Then you will begin to say, We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets. But He will say, I tell you, I do not know where [what household--certainly not Mine] you come from; depart from Me, all you wrongdoers!
The men who have crept in unnoticed into the visible church turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness. Pastors/Stewards of the Word of GOD are not watchful as the Lord Jesus warned us that we must be to Sheppard His flock.
If the visible church cannot live before the world walking in holiness and keeping (guarding from loss) the commandments of God, what hope do we have of ever seeing people of the world change? The church must stand up today and demonstrate God’s way of sexual purity, marriage fidelity, and faithfulness to a lost and spiritually bankrupted world. This pervasive problem of sexual and moral impurity is not something the church can tolerate. The Apostle Paul warned us again in the entire Chapter 5 of First Corinthians that sexual immorality is not the will of God in the visible church under any circumstances. We are not demonstrating the Love (Agape Love) of God by turning a blinds eye to this increasing problem in the church.
Is 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Quick Amplified Bible) 1 Tim 4:1 “But the Holy Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach.” (Quick Amplified Bible)
Satan has introduced leaven into the church. Christ warned the Apostle’s to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, Sadducee's, and that of Herod. The three are legalism, liberalism, and license. The Apostle Paul says we must not allow a little leaven to leaven the whole lump. When we purge out the leaven by allowing the true love of God to be visible in each of us we become a new lump. Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
God’s love prevailing in the heart does no harm to a neighbor or fellow man. Sexual Immorality is evil and wicked and the Apostle Paul admonished us to put away those from among us who do not wish to change by the grace of God. We must stop seeing ourselves as continual victims of those corrupt internal desires stemming from our fallen nature. We must stop trying to justify those desires and incorporate them falsely into our theology. Individually and collectively, the church can and must overcome by making our minds (souls) secure with the Word of GOD. Then the visible church will be the true City on a Hill that the world can look to for a guide.
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author, Silent Assassins of the Soul (not yet published; coming soon)
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
Your article is need because there are not many that talk about sex in the church. Pornagraphy is also a major issue and should be discussed. Thanks for you purpose in dealing with these issues. God bless you. Amen.
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 853 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Clifford Tate or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 853 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.