Praying For 'Christian Men' - Fighting God’s Battle Against Sexual Sin

INTRODUCTION

The truth of God’s word cannot be changed, as it says, “The Lord knows those who are His.” And, “Everyone who says he is a Christian must turn away from sin!” (2 Peter 2:19) NLV.

In our world today, there are many people especially men, who profess to be Christians, but are living lives contrary to the nature of Christ and the sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary.

The frightening part of this choice made by many, is highlighted in the scripture above. We can fool ourselves and others but not God. He knows those who are His. Many ‘Christian Men’ have turned themselves against God and His kingdom, as they refuse to turn away from sin, especially ‘Sexual sin’.

For this reason, we who are believers in Christ must align with God and fight His battle (against Sexual sin) as stated in His word.

1. “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).
2. “You are my battle axe, and weapons of war; For with you, I will break the nations in pieces; with you, I will destroy kingdoms; With you, I will break in” (Jeremiah 51:20).

It is obvious, that the enemy has brought a battle against God through “Sexual Sin”; amongst those who profess to be Christians (fornication – sex relationships outside of marriage, adultery- sex relationship with others while in a marriage).

It is a battle because it brings disrepute to the name of God and His church; it tries to diminish the power of the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior on the Cross of Calvary.

Therefore, as believers in Christ, we must make ourselves available, for God to use us to fight His battles.

Unfortunately, when we do not partner with God in His battles, there could be consequences for our actions as a people.

“Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty” (Judges 5:23).

In the scripture verse above, God had a battle to fight, which was to deliver Israel from the oppression of Jabin the king of Canaan. Deborah, Barak, and kings went out to battle against Jabin. However, the inhabitants of the City of Meroz could not be bothered with fighting the Lord’s battle, they were unconcerned. As a result, they were cursed as we read above.We have a Kingdom responsibility to contend for the word of God and His Kingdom.

This book is not intended in anyway, to judge anyone, but to highlight the importance of fighting God’s battles and consequences of our inaction, to open our eyes as Christian believers to the implications of sexual sin in the church, the implications, for perpetrators who refuse to repent while emphasizing the place of redemptive grace.

Chapter One

THE DANGERS OF SEXUAL SIN IN THE CHURCH

Perceiving this battle from God’s perspective, gives us insight into why it is a major Sin. When we confess Jesus Christ as our Savior, we become ‘Born Again’ and God’s Spirit comes to reside inside of us. “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him” (1 Corinthians 6:17).

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? “(1 Corinthians 6:19)

Therefore, when we commit sexual sin, we carry the presence of God living in us into the enemy’s territory. That is deep.

Furthermore, choosing to practice sexual immorality is an act of betrayal, against God and His Christ. This choice brings reproach to the name of the Lord and mocks our redemption in the eyes of the world.

Sexual immorality affects the whole body of Christ, not just those who have sinned.

When addressing the issue in the Church of Corinth, Apostle Paul states, “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6). This means that sexual sin in the church of Corinth had defiled the entire church. May our prayers not be hindered, because of the sins of those who commit sexual immorality among us.Sin affects our covenant relationship with God and can impact the entire body of Christ or church, even when it is committed by an individual.

We have an account of Israel’s experience when they were on a conquering spree to possess lands that God had promised to them. On this one occasion however, Israel was defeated in their battle against the city of Ai; they had to turn back as their enemies chased them out of Ai. The devastating part for Israel was that Ai was a small city, which should not have been a problem for Israel to conquer. However, the whole nation of Israel suffered defeat, and innocent soldiers lost their lives as a result of the sin of one man named Achan. Achan sinned by going against God’s covenant, and as a consequence, God turned away from fighting for Israel, resulting in their defeat.

“And the men of Ai smote about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim and smote them in the going down, wherefore the hearts of the people melted and became as water.6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.

7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

8 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name.

10 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? 11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.

Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” (Joshua 7: 5-12).

So Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make a confession to Him. I urge you to tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.” “It is true,” Achan replied, “I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel” (Joshua 7:19-20).

I wonder if this resonates with us as believers; who fast and pray, but sometimes do not receive answers to our prayers or are defeated in life’s battles. Could there be open doors to the enemy, leading to defeat, because of sins by certain individuals (including sexual sins) in our church/es?

The Bible says that God never changes (Malachi 3:6a). Therefore, if the sin of one man could affect a whole nation, surely, the act of sexual immorality in churches could affect its members.

Apostle Paul, knowing the dangers of this sin to the church, said the following.

“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral—not even to eat with such a person.” (1 Corinthians 5:11a)

Therefore, “put away from yourselves the evil person.” (1 Corinthians 5:13b).

According to scripture, when people who profess to be Christians practice sexual immorality, they are’ evil’, because their actions affect the whole body of Christ or members of their church setting. We have been instructed to avoid such people and not pamper them with false teachings of grace, As Apostle Paul further states in verses (4-5).

“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 5: 4-5).

Paul said to give his body to Satan to destroy, that his spirit might be saved! We need to rise up as the church and live in the truth of the word of God, by not condoning sexual sin.