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"You know the next commandment pretty well, too: 'Don't go to bed with another's spouse.' But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices - they also corrupt." Matthew 5:27-28 (The Message)
Look at that phrase..."Those leering looks you think nobody notices - they also corrupt."
Pornography is a huge deal. It touches every area of society. It's addictive & destructive. It's in workplaces... It's in schools... It's even in Christian homes. You don't have to go to an adult bookstore anymore. It's right on your computer.
Online pornography poses a greater threat to Christian men and community leaders than ANY other type of pornography on the market. It's private... It's easy to hide... Nobody knows about it. We deceive ourselves into thinking I'm not hurting anyone.
What did Jesus say? "Those leering looks you think nobody notices - they also corrupt."
People that wouldn't dream of going to an adult bookstore find it easy to log on and see the very same material. There are those who try to justify it, but you can't. It is destroying lives and marriages. It's wrong. It's a sin!
As you view this page, maybe you are one who is hooked and you know it's wrong. You feel bad. You feel guilty. You don't need me beating you over the head. Good, because that's not my style and that's not what Glad Tidings is all about.
I have really good news for you today. Jesus came to set you free!!! There is hope today!!! This church is going to help people... You ARE going to win in this battle! God and God's people are going to help you.
In addition to installing a software program to block pornography or other harmful materials, you are encouraged to establish one - or better yet two - accountability relationships.
Many people find that overcoming these temptations is virtually impossible on their own. Developing a relationship with another person who can hold you accountable is the most effective way to obtain help. You will be able to stand in times of temptation because viewing online pornography will never again be a secret sin.
If you have not yet joined a LifeBuilders small group, do it today! Contact the church office today for more information about LifeBuilders. This is the best place to get the most out of what we are learning from God's Word. It is also a great place to make friends and if you would like, discover someone who would make a great accountability partner.
If you want something you never had, you're going to have to DO something you've never done!
"But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
God will always make sure that there is a window of escape from the temptation. One of the ways of escape is the strength that comes from having an accountability partner.
You may be thinking, I'd be embarrassed. What will they think of me?
Jesus said... "Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience."
Regardless of what the temptation is that you struggle with on any given Sunday, you are probably sitting only a few feet from someone who understands - all too well - what you are going through. What I have learned is that instead of people thinking less of you, your value goes up because of your courage to be transparent and your desire to win the battle.
I have included some questions below for accountability partners. If you know someone is going to ask you tough questions, sometimes that's enough to cause you to resist the temptation. I would whole-heartedly recommend having two accountability partners in your life.
Accountability Questions
Just Between You & Me...
This Past Week:
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1. Have you been with anyone... anywhere that would appear as compromising?
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2. Have you entertained any inappropriate fantasies in your thought life?
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3. Have you viewed or read any sexually explicit material?
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4. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?
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5. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
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6. Have you given priority time to your family?
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7. Have you been faithful to your commission of Christian service?
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8. Have you just lied to me?
"Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything-and I do mean everything-connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life-a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you." Ephesians 4:22-24 (The Message)
Priorities For Personal Purity
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1. Make sure of my personal relationship with God.
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2. Set healthy boundaries.
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3. Be accountable to someone.
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4. Learn and practice the value of worship.
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5. The Lord of the ministry is more important than the ministry of the Lord.