SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 18
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
1. Sex, like fire, is a beautiful gift. In the fireplace, it provides warmth and comfort. But outside of healthy boundaries, that is, when it jumps from the fireplace to the curtains, we have disaster. Sex, like fire, causes a lot of damage when it is taken out of its safe, intended environment.
2. Sex does not stand alone. It belongs in the broader context of covenant relationship, with love, trust and fidelity. To be truly appreciated, it requires a love and respect for one another, one that does not USE the other person as an object but respects and values the person as a person. The dehumanizing of sex, taking it out of the secure and beautiful context of covenant union, is the destruction of sex, as well as of the persons involved.
3. Leviticus 18 is not a complete list but gives many examples of destructive, dehumanizing sex. Having lost our connection to God and each other, we desperately seek joy and love, but we seek it in unhealthy ways. We turn sex into an idol, an experience from which we hope to derive meaning, joy, fulfillment… but that leaves us unsatisfied.
4. Anyone who denies the dysfunctional nature of sex today is living in denial. Sexual abuse, bestiality, bondage, homosexuality, pornography, affairs, rape, sex parties, incest, pedophilia, to name a few, are examples of the huge disaster we are facing. And yet we encourage our children to dress and act sexually, we inundate them with sexual advertising and entertainment, images that agitate them sexually, causing them to act out in violent, inappropriate and harmful ways. We celebrate our liberation from prudish sexual restraint, yet bemoan the rampant sexual excesses that occur. Duhhh! Think about it. We are reaping what we sow. You can’t stimulate an inferno, then complain when people get burned.
5. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [Matthew 5:28]. Jesus wisely teaches us that the examples of sexual immorality are expressions of the inward fire burning out of control. We have a heart problem, and our society cannot contain the sexual devolution apart from addressing the core issue of sin and godlessness. But don’t take my word for it. Wait and see, and watch what happens. Time will prove God right after all.
PRAYER:
Lord, we have a problem. The fire is raging, and many are getting burned. Open our eyes to see our folly, and help us to repent and seek You.
Do this and live, that’s what the Master said. Here once again the Lord tells His people ‘Everyone who does any of these detestable things—such persons must be cut off from their people. Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them.’ But do we listen?
When look ing at the world today we see that man has gone his own way and not listened to the Lord. In the area of sexual relationships, he has gone to extremes and today already mankind is paying the consequences for their sins.
Help me Lord, also on this day, to place You first in all facets of my life. That is my heart’s desire.
Let my heart e’er be fixed on my treasures above,
Let the pleasures of earth fade away;
For there’s nothing so lovely as Jesus to me,
Let me ne’er from His love go astray.