Do you struggle with sexual sin? If so, then you need to watch this video.
This video is part 1 in a series I’m making about overcoming sexual sin. I pray these videos will help you find victory over the lust of the flesh. Now, let’s get started.
The book of Revelation begins with letters to the seven churches, and in these letters, two of the churches are rebuked for sexual immorality. The warning to this particular church is that they hold to the doctrine of Balaam.
“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.”
– Revelation 2:14 NKJV
So, what is the “doctrine of Balaam” and why is the Church following that doctrine?
Balaam was hired by Balak to curse Israel, but God would not allow Balaam to speak any curses, only blessings. However, the Bible explains that Balaam gave Balak some advice on how to defeat Israel.
“Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.”
– Numbers 31:16 NKJV
The secret weapon of Balaam was to send in the Moabite women.
Women were sent to lead the men away from God through sexual immorality and idolatry. He didn’t send in armies of strong men. He didn’t shoot fiery arrows, or charge in on mighty horses.
Balaam understood that no army could succeed against the Children of Israel as long as they were in the protective hands of God. So, he came up with the perfect plan, send in the Moabite women, because he knew those pagan women would lead the men of God into sexual immorality and idolatry.
This is what the Book of Revelation says will happen to Church in the last days.
“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.”
– Revelation 2:14 NKJV
The Moabite women led the men of Israel away from God with sexual immorality, and idolatry.
I am convinced that Pornography is the Moabite women of today, and it’s defeating men of God faster than the Moabite women of Balaam’s day.
Porn is the fastest, easiest, most available way for men to be trapped and destroyed. It’s easily accessible on any device with internet access, so men no longer have to visit adult video stores or buy dirty magazines and risk public shame.
In the past, men were constrained by the fear of being seen in one of those places, but today, they can watch unlimited porn on their phone in the privacy of their own home without the fear of being seen by others.
The ease of use and lack of accountability makes internet porn the most potent form of Moabite women the world has ever seen, and the men of God need to wake up and realize what’s actually happening to us.
A survey was done in 2014 about porn use in Christian men, and the statistics reveal that porn use is a major problem in the Church.
Among young men between the ages of 18-30 – 77% admit to looking at porn monthly.
And among middle-age men between 31-49 – 64% admit to looking at porn monthly.
The survey also revealed that 55% of married men admit to looking at porn monthly.
These statistics are tragic because it means that over half of all Christian men are being defeated by sexual sin on a regular basis.
Why are so many Christian men caught up in this sin? The Bible says it’s because they hold to the doctrine of Balaam.
But what does it mean that we hold to the doctrine of Balaam?
The doctrine of Balaam says it’s ok to allow sexual immorality in our lives. When we think we can serve God and continue to commit sexual immorality, we are holding to the doctrine of Balaam.
This doctrine creates a false sense of security in thinking that we won’t lose our salvation if we continue in this sin.
Remember that as long as Israel was following God, they were undefeated, but as soon as they turned away from God they were conquered, plagued, and exiled.
Lust is one of the most dangerous and destructive things a man can do to his own soul, and the Bible describes the lust of the flesh as something that wars against your soul.
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,”
– 1 Peter 2:11 NKJV
The Bible constantly warns us to stay away from lust, to avoid the seductress, and not allow ourselves to be defiled by women. These warnings are meant to keep us on guard against sexual sin, and this is also why we are told to flee from sexual immorality.
“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”
– 1 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV
Every time I read this verse I think of how Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife. The only thought on his mind was getting out of her reach. He didn’t even try to save his coat, because he was only concerned with saving his soul.
The Bible describes the evil woman as a harlot, a seductress, and an adulteress, and the Bible gives us many examples to teach us not to lust after women.
“Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;”
– 1 Corinthians 10:6–8 NKJV
Think about some of the examples we have in Scripture.
Adam, Samson, David, Solomon, and Ahab were all men who were led astray by women.
Adam was persuaded by Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.
Samson allowed Delilah to cut his hair, and the Holy Spirit left him.
David allowed his lust for Bathsheba to cause him to commit adultery and murder.
Solomon was led into idolatry by his many wives and concubines.
Ahab allowed Jezebel to rule over him, to kill the prophets, and to lead the people into idolatry.
These men were all chosen by God to be leaders over God’s people. They were kings, judges, and rulers, but they failed because they allowed themselves to be led astray by women.
Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying here. I’m not blaming women for the failure of men.
I’m saying the men are responsible for their own failure. These men were deceived by women, led astray by women, manipulated by women, used by women, dominated by women, tempted by women, and defeated by women.
The men failed, because men are chosen to lead in righteousness, but they let women lead them into sin instead.
This is why the Bible gives men such strong warnings against lust. It doesn’t matter who you are, your calling, your wisdom, or your talents.
Adam was called to lead mankind, Samson was called to judge the people, David, Solomon, and Ahab were called to be kings over Israel. They all had a high calling on their lives, but they were all led astray by women.
How often do we hear about Pastors falling into some sort of sexual sin?
We hear in the news all the time about pastors and priests who have affairs, look at pornography, seek out prostitutes, molest children, and turn to homosexuality.
We hear about those men because they were leading God’s people, and they fell to sin.
But it’s not just leaders who fall to lust, it can happen to any man of God.
It’s easy for us to get too comfortable in our own salvation, that we think we are beyond such things.
It’s easy for us to get over confident in our own calling, and begin to think that we can get away with certain sins because we are doing so much good for the kingdom.
Paul understood this temptation, and he knew how important it is for us to be on guard, so that we don’t become disqualified.
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
– 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NKJV
Paul understood that even though he was preaching righteousness to others, he had to remain on guard so that he didn’t fall into temptation and lose his own salvation.
He knew that even though he was preaching the Gospel and saving the lost that if he fell into temptation that he could become disqualified.
He was one of the chosen Apostles, hand picked by Yeshua, but he didn’t put confidence in his calling because he understood that he could lose it all if he wasn’t careful.
The Bible explains that it’s the one who overcomes sin that receives the crown, and the one who endures temptation is called a son of God. But those who fail to find victory over sin are cast into the lake of fire to die the second death.
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
– Revelation 21:7–8 NKJV
Notice that sexually immoral people are listed right next to murderers, sorcerers, and idolaters, and they are all cast into the lake of fire together. The sexually immoral person is just as evil as a murderer or a sorcerer in the eyes of God.
The Bible tells us plainly that those who practice sexual immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
– Galatians 5:19–21 NKJV
Take a close look at that list. Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lewdness are at the top of the list of things that will keep you out of the Kingdom, and all of those things are related to sexual sin.
Sex within the proper domain of Biblical marriage is honorable, but every form of sex outside of marriage is sinful and deserving of God’s judgment.
“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
– Hebrews 13:4 NKJV
The marriage bed is honorable, but fornication and adultery bring judgment from God. The Greek word translated fornication is “pornea” and it’s where we get the word “pornography”. Some people seem to think that pornography is harmless or acceptable because you are not actually with that person physically, but remember what Yeshua said about lust?
“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
– Matthew 5:28 NKJV
Yeshua explains that adultery is not just a physical act, but it’s also a spiritual act that takes place in our mind. When we lust after a woman, we are committing adultery with her in our heart. This means looking at pornography is equated with committing adultery, and the Bible says no one who does such things has any place in the Kingdom.
Think about it, by looking at pornography you are trading eternity for a few moments of pleasure.
Let me say that again.
You’re trading eternity for a few moments of pleasure.
Is it worth it?
“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
– Ephesians 5:3–5 NKJV
Notice that foolish talking and coarse jesting are also mentioned here as well. That means we shouldn’t even joke about sexual sins.
Think about how often people make those type of statements. Movies and tv shows are full of sexual jokes and innuendoes. How often do you hear guys at work doing the same thing?
It’s not enough to keep our body from sexual sin, we also need to keep our mind from thinking about those things, keep our eyes from looking on those things, keep our mouth from talking about those things, and keep our ears from listening to such things.
The Bible says that when we participate in sexually immoral behavior, we are defiling the Temple of God.
“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”
– 1 Corinthians 6:18–19 NKJV
That is why sexual immorality and idolatry are so closely related. When we commit sexual sin, we are practicing a form of idolatry. We are bringing an unholy image into the Temple of God and defiling the Temple.
The idolatry of worshipping the flesh is a slippery slope. Once you start down that path, you can easily fall into worse sins.
“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.”
– Romans 1:24–27 NKJV
Think about this verse for a moment. “God gave them up to uncleanness and lust.”
What does that mean? It means that God gave them what they were looking for.
Instead of pursuing God, these people were pursuing sexual gratification. Wo, God says, “if that’s what you want, then you can have it, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing”, and He allows them to fall deeper and deeper into their own depravity.
The scientific term for this is habituation. This refers to what happens when a stimulus becoming less stimulating, and the introduction of new or increasing stimulus is required to achieve the same result or feeling as before.
We see this in drug addicts who need higher doses to feel the same high. But we also see it in porn use as well. This is why people get into fetishes. It’s also why they eventually find themselves attracted to things they used to find repulsive.
The Bible says God gives us over to our own vile passions. The same old sin no longer gets us excited, so we begin seeking more novelty and depravity.
This is also why people don’t usually stop after one affair. If a person commits adultery once and they don’t experience any negative consequences, their chances of doing it again increase significantly. And the more times they do it, the more bold they become in their sin.
The same thing happens with any sin if you don’t receive discipline or correction, which is why we should welcome discipline from God.
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”
– Revelation 3:19 NKJV
When God disciplines us, we need to listen and repent, because if we continue chasing after that sin, eventually He will give us over to it. When God removes His hand of correction from us… it’s a sign that we’ve gone too far.
If we aren’t responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, then eventually the Holy Spirit will stop speaking to us.
To be a person that God has given over to sin should terrify us.
And if you want to get out of that sin, you have to be zealous and repent
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
– James 4:7–10 NKJV
This is the picture we see with the Prodigal son. He was allowed to go his way and do whatever he wanted, but eventually he looked around and realized he was wallowing in the filth with the pigs.
Sometimes God allows us wallow in our own filth for a while so that we might come to our senses and repent.
But you have to hate your sin if you want to be free from it. You will never get free from sin as long as you still love it. You have to hate your sin enough to kill it.
Yeshua said to pluck out your eye and cast it away from you if it causes you to sin.
“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”
– Matthew 5:28–30 NKJV
When you truly understand how evil lust is, you will hate it, and you will want to remove it from your life completely. I don’t think you should literally pluck out your eye, but you should take extreme measures to guard yourself from lust.
For some people that might mean getting rid of your internet access. For others it might mean getting rid of your smart phone. It might also mean getting an accountability partner and porn blocking software on your devices.
Maybe you need to cancel netflix or get rid of your cable subscription. You might also need to stop listening to certain music or hanging out with certain people, and avoid going places where people are dressed inappropriately.
Do whatever it takes to stop feeding your lust. That’s what it means to pluck out your eye.
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
– Romans 13:14 NKJV
Make no provision for the flesh. That means don’t give it anything, don’t feed your flesh, don’t provide for it’s desires in any way.
We have to put away our old former lusts and renew our mind and become the new man of God who walks by the spirit and not the flesh.
“that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
– Ephesians 4:22–24 NKJV
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
– Galatians 5:16–17 NKJV
Romans 13:14 (KJT), does not actually reference the fulfilling of lust. Words, often italicized, were added to fill up what seems to be an incomplete or broken sentence in Koine Greek. However, the actual broken rendering makes perfect sense, “make no provision for the flesh to lust”. The unvarnished rendering does not allow one to get to fulfilling lust because it enjoins one to do nothing to cause oneself to lust at all. This prohibition against facilitating lusting would include pornography, strip clubs, magazines (digital or physical), certain box office movies or other situation(s)/thing(s) that would promote lusting.