This is well worth your time:
And then check out this song by Tedashii, Ft. Flame:
Now, go make war!
Make War!!
Running from Lust
Warning! If I am wrong on what I say in this particular post the consequences could be deadly. So, as I hope you always do, read with discernment and test everything by Scripture.
“Flee sexual immorality...” 1 Corinthians 6:18
It has been said, and rightly so, that sexual immorality (lust, etc.) is the only sin that we are told to run away from. Everything else we are typically told to stand firm and fight—but sexual sin can become so ensnaring that we are told to run away from it. I agree.
However, I do believe there is a huge difference between law running and gospel running. One runs out of an overflow of love and grace the other runs out of fear, guilt, and shame.
Law Running
In Romans 7 Paul gives us an interesting picture of what happens when the law meets sin. Verse 7-8 could just as easily have said, “For I would not have known what it is to lust if the law had not said, ‘You shall not lust.’ But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of lust.”
Being told not to lust is almost like telling yourself not to think about penguins. Try it. Don’t think about penguins for the next 5 minutes. What happens with law running is that your focus is turned away from Christ and the power of His gospel. You start focusing on what you are NOT supposed to do and so “the very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me”. Why is that? The law cannot conquer your heart of lust.
Gospel Running
Gospel running is radically different. Gospel running is what happens when you are so blown away by what Christ has done that your affections actually begin to change. You flee sexual immorality much the same way I run away gagging from a poopy diaper.
Notice the motivator that Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 6. “You were bought with a price. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” I don’t think that is only Paul saying—“how dare you defile the temple”. Although, that is implied. I think Paul is saying even more. He is reminding them that Christ has purchased them and has freed them. He has conquered the power of sin and freed them from the law’s condemnation. They have the Holy Spirit living inside them. They have power to run from this sin.
Law running is simply running away from something. Gospel running is running away because of Someone and to Someone. One will kill you because it lacks power and only ends in fear, shame, guilt and defeat. The other will lead to life—because the gospel actually has power.
Practical Implications
So if you find yourself struggling with lust it’s not a methodology problem—it’s a heart problem. You aren’t fundamentally struggling with lust because you’ve let down your guard and aren’t following your 10 steps to stay away from porn. You are fundamentally struggling with lust because your affections for Jesus are low. If you want to battle lust then do things to stir your affections. Don’t focus on trying to not lust. Focus on Christ—preach the gospel to yourself until your affections start to change and the emptiness of lust is exposed.
But you can also get arrogant with this and stop fighting sin. If you are watching sexually charged movies, magazines, etc. and exposing yourself to temptation, then your problem is that your being stupid. If you really are practicing gospel running then you won’t be having a deep desire for smut. If you’re engaging in these things its not gospel freedom—it’s false freedom. You’ve just stopped fighting sin and made it sound spiritual.
My prayer is that we flee sexual immorality not to the glory of the law and self-effort but to the glory of Jesus who redeems hearts and transforms affections.
Turning Controversy into Church Ministry Review
“While some churches debate the issue of homosexuality and others completely avoid it, struggling people fall through the cracks”. So writes, W.P. Campbell in his new book only 12.91
Campell’s hope is that this book will serve to help people stop debating and start ministering with compassion but without compromise. My guess is that this book will gain many supporters but also many detractors. Campbell is not afraid to disagree with those that have “Grace with Compromised Truth” nor those that have Truth with Compromised Grace”. That typically doesn’t win friends.
This book has a TON to commend it. I love that Campbell is bold enough to be biblical and not politically correct. He truly believes that the way to love homosexuals is through the truth of the gospel. I also love that Campbell is not afraid to take on those that refuse to have compassion on the homosexual community. I think both groups, and all those in between, have quite a bit they can learn from this book.
There is a call in this book that we Southern Baptists (all Christians really) need to heed. As we are looking at how to be a Great Commission people and reach the unreached peoples of the world, Campbell pointedly asks, “what about the unreached gay culture”?
This book is also divided in a very helpful way. The first three chapters are an analysis of the current situation (I imagine this will have to be updated in future editions). The second part is dedicated to dealing with the controversy around homosexual ministry. The third part is dedicated to specific application. Sometimes, I question the headings (i.e. The Wisdom, Insights from Psychology), but nonetheless it is a helpful outline.
I also love the stories from real people that are engaged in real battle at the end of each chapter. This book from beginning to end is practical and truly accomplishes what it intends—to provide a blueprint for real-life ministry to homosexuals.
I am not sure that I agree with everything that is suggested, but it made me think about a ton of things. One particular area that I felt was somewhat neglected is the area of church discipline. How would a church that practices healthy church discipline interact with homosexuality. It would be an interesting chapter to add.
This book warmed my heart in areas and convicted me in others. It is well written, easy to read, and full of information and practical tips. I heartily recommend it to anyone that is struggling through this issue, or wants to know how to effectively minister to the homosexual community. Buy it for only 12.91
Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
There is also a blog tour that you may find interesting, here.
P.S. I think this book would be well served to have a different cover.
Should You Use E-Mail to Correct Someone?
That is the question that is discussed by CJ Mahaney and James MacDonald. You can watch the helpful 5 minute discussion here:
What do you think?
I agree that it would be preferred to meet and correct somebody in person. I also agree that it is wise to examine our hearts before correcting anyone (whether through email, letter, Facebook, or in person). I have had numerous experiences where I have been misunderstood through written communication. Of course, that has also happened with non-verbal communication too. So, I agree with the heart of their answer.
However, I do partially disagree. I do not think that you should NEVER correct someone through email. I think you should almost NEVER correct someone through email, Facebook, etc. if you can do it in person and then only if you have a prior established relationship.
Two things motivate this difference of opinion. The first is that I poured 5 years of my life into a group of students in Missouri. I established a deep relationship with many of them. They know that I love them. Sometimes they continue to email me, or send me messages on Facebook with questions. Whenever possible I try to redirect them to their local pastor. But sometimes I need to email them—distance keeps me from being there in person.
Another motivator for this difference of opinion is John Newton. Of course Newton never had email. But he was a prolific letter writer. Sometimes they were gentle corrections. It could be argued that a letter is more thought out (especially in Newton’s day) than an email or Facebook message. The solution then is not to ban email but to ban senseless email. Treat email like you would a letter.
This is a really wise and helpful video. Many relational difficulties brought on by quick and senseless emails would be solved if we would slow down and heed this advice.
What do you think?