God's Design
"But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command." -1 Samuel 13:14
"One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” -2 Samuel 11:2-5
David fell into temptation because he was in a rooftop and allowed his eyes to linger for too long. He chose lust for a moment and it cost him everything. What is your rooftop?
When Joseph faced temptation, he ran!
"She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house." -Genesis 39:12
"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body." -1 Corinthians 6:18
Joseph ended up in prison, then God him blessed beyond his imagination. David ended up in prosperity and things went on as normal before Nathan the prophet brought God‘s word to him. God spared David’s life, but the disciplined king still had to live with the consequences of his sin. After David repented, God‘s presence returned to him.
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." -Psalm 51:10-12
Joseph story demonstrates what great blessing can come when we faithfully follow God’s word. It also set an example of how to handle persistent sexual temptation that threatens us, run!
We have a choice to make when it comes to sex - Designer Sex or Cultural Sex.
Designer Sex:
1. Sex is God's idea.
2. Human sexuality is unique.
3. Sex involves every aspect of our being.
4. Sex is sacred.
"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." -Hebrews 13:4
"But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead."
-Isaiah 43:1-3
These three truths can help us through the toughest challenges in life. From temptation to deep hurt, we can cling to these things:
1. God's Plan
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." -Romans 8:28-29
2. God's Presence
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." -Isaiah 43:2 NIV
3. God's Protection
"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." -Isaiah 43:2 NLT
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." -Isaiah 40:31