January 5, 2016
Flee Sexual immorality
Proverbs 5:20-23
20 Why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an immoral woman
And embrace the bosom of an outsider (pagan)?
21 For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the Lord,
And He carefully watches all of his paths [all of his comings and goings].
22 The iniquities done by a wicked man will trap him,
And he will be held with the cords of his sin.
23 He will die for lack of instruction (discipline),
And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray and be lost.
Matthew Henry Concise commentary
Verses 15-23 Lawful marriage is a means God has appointed to keep from these destructive vices. But we are not properly united, except as we attend to God's word, seeking his direction and blessing, and acting with affection. Ever remember, that though secret sins may escape the eyes of our fellow-creatures, yet a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, who not only sees, but ponders all his goings. Those who are so foolish as to choose the way of sin, are justly left of God to themselves, to go on in the way to destruction.
Miyagi’s commentary
Sin, especially sexual sin, is not to be played with because it has devastating consequences. The Word tells us that “your sins will find you out.” It may take ten or twenty years, but it will find you out. When a person commits sexual immorality, he is joining his body with a stranger, becoming one flesh. This is a negative soul tie. Not only does it lead to physical consequences, like sexually transmitted diseases, it also leads to spiritual consequences, the lost of one’s salvation. Our God is a forgiving Father. He will forgive our sin if we truly are remorseful and repentant. However, if a person continues to embrace the immoral lifestyle, thinking that he will be forgiven in the end, with no remorse and intention to repent and turn from his wicked ways, he is gambling with eternity. And one day, it will be too late.
The devil knows that sex is one of man’s greatest needs. Therefore, he will use it and continue to use it to tempt a believer to sin. A person can sin sexually in mind or body. God says that he who finds a wife finds a good thing. God’s desire is that we become one physically with just one person, our spouse and that is all. This is God’s design and will. But the devil has perverted the holy sexual unity between man and wife when he introduced fornication, adultery, sexual fantasies and the like. Media brings glamour to sex outside of marriage with no devastating consequences. This is the lie from the pits of hell.
The devastating consequences of sexual immorality are many: broken relationships, venereal diseases, hurt, termination of ministries and marriages, lost of trust, lost of reputation, shame, guilt, regret, worst of all…..separation from God. And everyday, people trade their lives for one fleeting moment of unbridled passion. Even in media, we see on a regular basis that those who have committed this sin decades ago are now exposed for the world to see. So many have bought the lie that sexual passion is something to be sought after and enjoyed in secret. What man does in secret God shall proclaim on the mountain top. He sees all things and nothing is hid from him.
Summary conclusion:
Better to have a wife of your own than to burn with unbridled passion.
2 Samuel 12:10-12
10 Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will stir up evil against you from your own household; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and in broad daylight.
Matthew Henry concise commentary
Verses 1-14 God will not suffer his people to lie still in sin. By this parable Nathan drew from David a sentence against himself. Great need there is of prudence in giving reproofs. In his application, he was faithful. He says in plain terms, Thou art the man. God shows how much he hates sin, even in his own people; and wherever he finds it, he will not let it go unpunished. David says not a word to excuse himself or make light of his sin, but freely owns it. When David said, I have sinned, and Nathan perceived that he was a true penitent, he assured him his sin was forgiven. Thou shalt not die: that is, not die eternally, nor be for ever put away from God, as thou wouldest have been, if thou hadst not put away the sin. Though thou shalt all thy days be chastened of the Lord, yet thou shalt not be condemned with the world. There is this great evil in the sins of those who profess religion and relation to God, that they furnish the enemies of God and religion with matter for reproach and blasphemy. And it appears from David's case, that even where pardon is obtained, the Lord will visit the transgression of his people with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. For one momentary gratification of a vile lust, David had to endure many days and years of extreme distress.
Miyagi’s commentary
Though God forgives sin, it does not mean that God takes away the consequences of sin. Because of David’s sin of adultery and murder, he had to endure many years of distress as a result. This is after he had already repented. This is after God had already forgiven him. But the consequences remain. Sin must be punished, either in this life or after death. But it must be punished. So though God spared King David’s life, he did not take away the devastating consequences of his sin, for example, the death of his child with Bathsheba. There are many more painful consequences to follow regarding King David's family in the Old Testament.
Summary conclusion:
No one can escape from God. Everyone will have to be punished for his sins. It may not be immediate. But it will happen. But remember, God will only forgive a person if he is truly remorseful for his sin and is repentant (turning completely away from his wickedness) but the consequences of sin will remain. There will be judgement because sin has to be punished.
Psalm 51 Amplified Bible (AMP)
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and guilt
And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them;
My sin is always before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned
And done that which is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak [Your sentence]
And faultless in Your judgment.
5 I was brought forth in [a state of] wickedness;
In sin my mother conceived me [and from my beginning I, too, was sinful].
6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part [of my heart] You will make me know wisdom.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness and be satisfied;
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted and return to You.
14 Rescue me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will sing joyfully of Your righteousness and Your justice.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
That my mouth may declare Your praise.
16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
17 My [only] sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a broken spirit;
A broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.
18 By Your favor do good to Zion;
May You rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then will You delight in the sacrifices of righteousness,
In burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.
Miyagi’s commentary:
So as David wrote Psalm 51, we can see how a truly repentant heart will respond to sin. God looks at the heart and if it is truly repentant, He will restore the sinner back into fellowship with Him. It is a dreadful thing to be separated from God. So when David prayed to God for forgiveness, he is asking to be restored and that his prayers be accepted. The devastating consequence of sin is separation for God and the lost of one’s salvation.
The big picture:
Therefore, it is of paramount importance for everyone to repent of his sin, especially sexual immorality. God is the one who will determine if and when judgement will take place for the one who have sinned. May we take great heed to this warning and flee sexuality immorality at all cost. The consequences of this sin far outweighs the momentary pleasure. May we learn from the hard lesson of King David.
The byword:
Your sins WILL find you out. It is not a matter of if…...it is a matter of when.
Miyagi
No comments:
Post a Comment