Scream, Beg, Wail, Whine, or Use Your Inside Voice – It Matters Not!
I told you that I would give you an idea about how the young man in last week’s story found a way to win over his addiction to pornography. In case you didn’t read it or have had too much going on to remember, let me summarize the story briefly.
· The young man got hooked on pornography early – about 13 or 14 years old.
· He spoke to no one about the problem either because he didn’t really know it was a problem or he simply didn’t know with whom to talk about the issues.
· He thought “this is just what men do”. “I am not really going to do anything bad.”
· He did realize eventually that the shame he felt was a sign that it was sin, but he couldn’t seem to quit – regardless of how badly he felt about it.
· He had the sin until the sin had him. That switch didn’t take long.
· At 19 he reached a crisis point in life knowing his sin habit was taking over his life.
· But he didn’t know how to get free.
With that said, let me tell you what God did. This young man had become a follower of Jesus Christ approximately 3 years before this scenario occurred. Seemingly every time he started making progress in this new adventure with Jesus, this sin would emerge and stunt his growth. Sick of losing the battles and fearful that he might lose the war, we join our young man (19 years old) in his dorm room. Here is what happened.
He prayed. He told God that he didn’t deserve any more chances. He admitted that he was a failure at overcoming this sin. He even told God that no longer would he call himself a Christian since he felt like an embarrassment to God. At that moment, rather than continuing to tell God what he thought, God told the young man some things.
Actually, God asked him some questions. Holy Spirit asked, “How many thoughts can you think at one time?” The answer is “one”. Holy Spirit then asked, “Well, if you are thinking what is right, how can you think what is wrong?” The young man’s response, “What is right?” God clearly spoke into this man’s heart and mind through the Holy Spirit living within him. God said, “My Son died on the cross so that you would not have to be a slave to this sin.” That was the truth God used to “set this young man free”. (John 8:31-32)
It wasn’t complicated. It was Jesus Christ at work in the young man’s life changing his thinking, emotions, choices, and then eventually his behavior. He prayed. He used the weapon of prayer to advance against the enemy of his soul. When he fought with the correct weapons, against the real enemy, he won. He knew what defeat felt and tasted like, but victory was new. It tasted and felt really great to win.
Three principles I would like for you to consider:
When we walk in God’s light, we will not (cannot) be overtaken by darkness. (John 8:12; John 12:35-36)
1. Jesus is the Light of the World. Have fresh encounters with Him often, daily, more often, whenever you can…
2. God’s Word is a Lamp and Light. When we know and DO His Word, we walk in His light. (Psalm 119:105)
3. You are the Light: You and I who know and follow Christ shine His light into this world. (Matthew 5:14-16) Have real fellowship with believers and let your light shine on others, as theirs shines on you.
So you see, God extended His grace to our young friend.
1. Jesus was then and is now the Light of the World: Grace came in an encounter with Jesus Christ personally and specifically regarding what our friend needed to hear at that moment. He was ready to listen and obey.
2. God’s Word is still a lamp and a light: God spoke truth to this young man. In revealing the truth about Christ’s death on the cross, Jesus led this man from darkness to light and continued the life-long process of setting him free from a sin that would have been his ruin.
3. Eventually, our friend shared with others what God had done and was doing. He had real fellowship sharing with other men how powerful this Gospel message of Jesus really is. Not only was he forgiven and headed to heaven, but also, he was being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Finding out that others struggle – sometimes succeeding, sometime failing — can be used of God to help us know failing doesn’t make us failures. Not when Jesus comes around.
So. there you have it. When you pray, go ahead and scream it, wail it, beg for help, whine to God, use your inside voice, but whatever you do pray, ask, listen, and when He answers – obey.