Living With Your Passions Part 1

The reason for us to Jesus phone number for each of us is a strong desire for intimacy, keeping our sex drives under control is one of our biggest challenges sex in its proper place as a great gift while passions out of control can ruin one's future. That's why God gave us commandment number seven from the Moody Church in Chicago this morning to win with Sir clear teaching must make it across the finish line after loser today. Your topic will be living with your passion these days it seems most people simply do what feels good and you know Dave, that's exactly whatever media encourages us to do to go with that which feels good, let me ask a question to all those who are listening today does holiness matter. Well, as they dab and advise you their story is in the book of Leviticus. They offered strange fire before the Lord. They worship the true God.

But even though they were worshiping the true God. They were struck dead because they did it in a wrong way holiness matters. I've written a book entitled why holiness matters. The 10 Commandments Jesus and you simply go to RTW offer.com for a gift of any amount. It can be yours RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. Meanwhile let's go to the pulpit of Moody church where we discover that God expects sexual purity when you talk to people today.

They'll tell you that the 10 Commandments are basically out of date is one commandment, especially that receives a lot of criticism and ridicule. Today it's the seventh commandment, which says thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not commit adultery, but of course were living in a day and age when our nation is inundated with sensuality. Consequently, we have things such as pornography that tell us that relationships with anyone at any time under any circumstance are okay as long as they are pleasurable and then of course we have movies movies that teach that the rich and famous are involved in that wife swapping and that all kinds of evil and sensuality and people think that's just the way it is J Alan Peterson in his book entitled the myth of the greener grass says that there was a woman who was attending a class to learn French.

She was with 11 other women and one of the women said all those of you who have not been unfaithful to her husband. In other words, if you been faithful to them how many of you have been raise your hand. Only 1/11, raised her hand. Later on, this woman was telling her husband that 10 day he said will did you raise your hand and she said no. He said you mean you've been unfaithful. She said no I been faithful. He said why didn't you raise your hand.

She said I felt ashamed. Imagine that were living in a society where people are actually feeling ashamed because they're living a life of moral purity and fidelity television that box that is in homes today that produces messages that are so damnable. One of the writers of TV scripts said that his goal is to get people to laugh at adultery, homosexuality and incest. He said if you can get people to laugh at these things. It breaks down the resistance to them. But nonetheless set regardless of what people say.

Today the Bible says that thou shalt not commit adultery. That means to have a sexual relationship with a partner who belongs to somebody else like us to do today is to look at some reasons why God gave that command and why we should obey it.

Why should we look at the seventh commandment and say even though it happens to be the 20th century that this command is still valid for today. Let me give you some reasons.

First of all because God gave the command because of the command. I can imagine there's someone here who says you know I always thought that the pastor belonged to the 20th century, but apparently he doesn't do you mean to tell me that we should obey this command. Just because God decides that I say to you. Yeah, we ought to just because God says it isn't that reason enough. God says that I believe that that's good enough for me. But, of course, today we want to try behind God's thinking and we want to find out why he says what he says.

First of all let me say that God gave us commandment. First of all, so that there might be stability in the family. The stability of the family.

If there's anything that a child craves it as a mother and father who are committed to each other. Nothing causes more emotional hurt to more instability, more of a sense of the year ripping apart of the security and the emotions than to know that father has run off because he has found someone else more attractive but not only is it because of the stability of the family God to gave this commandment also because of our own emotional stability because there is something within us that says if we engage in sexuality apart from marriage. There is an inner destruction that takes place within the Bible says in Proverbs that adultery destroys the soul. There is something within us that die. Now of course all of us who have been pastors and even those of us who haven't been know that there are people today who say but you have to understand I am involved in a relationship that is meaningful to me. I remember a woman telling me she said you need to say that this is wrong. She says I live with an alcoholic if I didn't have this affair on the side.

I would've lost to my sanity. She said I finally find someone who understands me. Man told me one time he says finally I found an oasis. And now you're telling me to go back to the desert. Let me simply say flat out that I do believe that there are some adulterous relationships that are very loving and caring. There's no question about that. The problem with an adulterer, is that he breaks six of the 10 Commandments in order to have his relationship is a really really well, he certainly breaks the seventh of.

Thou shalt not commit adultery but what is the first commandment, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soul and with all thy mind and adulterer is somebody who says I have found is something that is more precious and more meaningful me to than the God I have found this relationship and I don't care what God says I need it.

So he certainly breaks the first commandment that says thou shalt not have other dogs before me. Another commandment says thou shall not bear false witness and adulterer pledged his allegiance in the presence of dogs and witnesses that he would be true to that one particular person and of course he not only breaks that bowel but I have yet to see a case of adultery where the person doesn't lie to cover up his sins and the Bible says thou shalt not bear false witness. Furthermore, another commandment is thou shall not steal. Remember when that Nathan came to David he said David you have stolen another man's wife. She belongs to another man and you have taken or are guilty of stealing David Bible says honor your father and your mother almost always an adulterer dishonors his father and his mother and he most assuredly breaks the commandment thou shall not covet which says thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor that which belongs to thy neighbor. That's actually where it begins. Do you see now why it is that a relationship outside of marriage that is so loving and so caring and so beautiful is actually so evil, it's because somebody who says that and lives that way has to shake his fist at God in order to have what he wants because God says thou shall not commit adultery.

The command of God. There's a second reason and that is the consequences and therefore this I do want you to turn to Proverbs chapter 5 and also Matthew chapter 5, but I want you to notice it says in chapter 5 in Proverbs my son to give attention to my wisdom.

Incline thine ear to understanding that you may observe discretion and your lips may reserve knowledge for the lips of an adulterous drip honey smoother than oil is her speech. But notice in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Let me say this, that those of us who have never been hooked on drugs, we can at least identify with people who have that sensation, because all of us understand the awesome power of sexual temptation. All of us have passions that are explosive and given the right context with the right person. It's like throwing a match on a can of kerosene and we can understand that there is nothing that promises as much a sexual fulfillment. There is something within us that says if I have this relationship. It really doesn't matter what the consequences are one day I happened to be flipping stations on a radio and just caught a song that I forget the words, but the idea was something like this will fulfill my desire today and I'll deal with the devil tomorrow. In other words, it doesn't matter what the consequences are I will do my own thing I want you to notice that the Bible is very clear that when we give into our passions. Several things become true. First of all, there is an inner defilement that is one of the consequences. It says in chapter 5, verse 21 of Proverbs for the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he watches all of his pad show. I think of all the things that couples have done to hide their sin. The elaborate plans that they make that they might not be found out they have had the telephones tapped and they've had this Sinbad and their secret locations and and leaving in different directions and going in different cars and all that thing because they want to say we want to hide our sin from the eyes of men.

But notice what the text says that ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he watches all of us pass God see's God sees God see and therefore you can't escape the inner inner deadening and defilement the taxes it goes down to shield down to the grave. I remember a young woman who is 29 years old who came to me and she said that she was single and a virgin until the age of 29 and then she became mad at God, you know, if you're 29, and unmarried.

That's the time when you begin to think here I am saving myself or somebody in God isn't giving me a husband all show him a thing or two. This young woman had a relationship with a man she didn't even respect and it's very interesting.

She said these words to me.

She said you know what it was all over. It was almost as if, and she said pastor. Believe me, this wasn't a voice inside of me. It seemed as if there was a voice outside of me that said now you're defiled now you're defiled. Probably the voice of the demon golf course, I was able to explain to that young woman that, of course, there is forgiveness in Christ and it doesn't mean the end of the world. Immorality isn't the unpardonable sin, but isn't it interesting that if there's anything that Satan wants to do in our lives to cause inner defilement. Oftentimes it has to do with that realm of sexuality that the conscience the authors us in the most intimate of old relationships and there's been a violation of the word of God and there is that inner destruction you it's interesting. David said my sin was ever before me ever before me. I thought of it when I woke up in the morning. I thought of it in the evening.

I thought of it at noon. I thought of it when the telephone rang. I thought of it. When a friend showed up at the door, I wondered whether or not he knew and their people who have been involved in immorality who say that they are sitting in church singing the songs of Zion and in what they want to be a most holy moment all those thoughts washing over the mind, there's an inner destruction and inner defilement is one of the consequences. But then the other consequences. The outer destruction. The outer destruction. And that's when the whole thing blows up and it gets found out in the truth becomes known. That's what happens and then the rejection and the hurt is beyond belief because the Scriptures indicate that you can take physical illness, but to the wounded spirit who can bear. And the Bible says in Proverbs chapter 6 verse 29, so is the one who goes into his neighbor's wife. Whoever touches her will not go on the punished the hurts of the person rejected and all of the consequences are as bitter as wormwood, the Bible says I think of a friend involved in immorality who said that he had often prayed that he would die prayed that many go to bed at night he wouldn't wake up in the morning, the hurt, the devastation to his wife and his family on believable God says thou shalt not commit adultery, and in the New Testament it says that both warmongers and adulterers referring to all forms of immorality. Whether you're single or married, God will judge God will judge, and it can't be overlooked because it happens to be hidden no matter how skillfully and brilliantly. It is hidden. One day I was on a talk show in Canada you know one of those: programs where you get lots of interesting questions end up, I received a phone call from someone who said this now. They said Mr. lutes are white when somebody says that I know I'm in trouble.

They said what would you say in the case of a man who is married to a woman in either because of some accident or some physical disability issues and the wheelchair for the rest of her life. Are you really telling me that even that man can't have an affair on the side asked in such a way as if to say, can you really be that stupid Mr. lutes or us to say no to the fact you were living in a day and age when it seems as if our passions rule us right. A man has a need.

He's got to fulfill that he can't be true to a marriage commitment. Just because he can't have his sexual needs fulfilled in a certain way. The obvious answer to that is of course a man like that should be true to his wife because if you make an exception for him.

Then what about those who are single. What about the widows. What about all the divorced people don't they have sexual desires to does God's word only apply in certain situations. All of the things that I've said about the consequences. All of the things that we have set about violating all of the Commandments apply to every single situation your passions lie when they tell you they must to be fulfilled regardless of what God's word says you know what God says about marriage. He says that the relationship in marriage is so special and I'm so sorry that my message today is negative because the Commandments are rather negative know people talk about the power of positive thinking. I want to preach a message entitled the power of negative thinking. Frankly tired of positive thinking.

Now the point is speaking more positively sure we throw it in for extra measure. God says that the marriage relationship is so special. It is so sacred that there is no condition under which it should ever be violated because it's special. That's why it's not just that God wants to rain on our parade. You know it's like doing when you commit adultery is like burning down a beautiful cathedral because you want to fry an egg because you happen to be hungry just demolishing something that God says is special.

All because you think that there are some needs that have got to be fulfilled. Bible says they don't have to be there all kinds of people who were living in prison today for the cause of Jesus Christ, who do not have any sexual intimacy at all and they are living see we are living in a society today where everybody says well if it's really a meaningful relationship and if it feels good then do it. But God says fornicators and adulterers by will judge that's God's saying. So it really doesn't matter whether or not you get found out God sees what this is Pastor Luther and that's very sobering isn't it to think that God is the one who sees we cannot hide from him were living in a day and age.

Of course where we have very lax standards even within the church's heartbreaking and if it's heartbreaking, toss it most assuredly is heartbreaking to God.

I've written a book entitled why holiness matters. The 10 Commandments Jesus and you in this book when I attempt to show is that God has not changed in the New Testament we are told also to be holy. Even as he is holy. What a standard. I'm so glad. Of course the Jesus Christ stands between us and the holiness of God. But we need to recapture holiness in our own lives and our families in our church and I believe that this book will be a great blessing and a help to you for a gift of any amount. It can be yours. Go to RTW offer.com that's RTW offer.com or take down this phone number 1-888-218-9337 if you've been blessed as a result of the ministry of running to win.

Remember that we are dependent upon you for your prayers for your gifts for your investment. That's why I give you this contact information once again RTW offer.com or 1-888-218-9337 thank you to all who listen today and most assuredly, let us remember holiness does matter is time now for another chance for you to ask Pastor Luther a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Sometimes marriages after whether some really tough storms and anonymous husband has written asking for help. Here's his story because of surgery. My wife has lost all interest in sexual intimacy, but my desires have not changed. I don't want to send mentally. So what should I do. We love each other and divorce is out of the question.

I'm heavily involved in Bible study and the church. Dr. Luther, what's your advice will my brother a couple of comments. First of all, I'm sure that you've talked to your wife about this many times but maybe you need to speak to her again because biblically she does have an obligation to you. The apostle Paul makes that clear.

In first Corinthians.

So maybe, even though at this point she has absolutely no interest is very important for you to discuss it to talk about it and maybe there is a way that the two of you can accommodate each other. Now, having said that, I do need to emphasize that if you go through life.

From this point on, without sexual intimacy. Millions of people have had the same experience as you have there those who have never married who desired marriage there.

Those who because they are widows or widowers do not have the opportunity of any kind of sexual contact and they survives. Now you say to yourself, well, you're struggling with lust in your mind. I can understand that but at the same time. I've always taken the position that God gives us as many resources as we need to glorify him in the midst of our situation. I'm glad to read that you are involved in church you are involved in Bible study. Those are the kinds of directions and vocations and emphases that you need to continue to follow but at the same time. Give yourself your marriage to God and remember God is with you. Others have persevered and been victorious in the same state where you find yourself and keep moving on.

Don't let this become a stumbling block in your walk with God. Thank you Pastor Luther for your answer to his question if you'd like to hear your question answered. Go to our website@rtwoffer.com and click on ask Pastor Luther or call us at 1-888-218-9337 that's 1-888-218-9337 you can write to us running to win 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614 it's dangerous to get too close to a fire and possible sexual sin. That's why the seventh commandment teaches us to avoid all forms of such sin. The result of a life free of entanglements that can stop us in our tracks next time I'm going to win more of the great damage done when sex is not Within the framework of marriage. Don't miss the conclusion of living with your passions running to win is all about helping you understand God's roadmap for your race of life. Thanks for listening. This is Dave McAllister running to win is sponsored by the teacher