When you critically observe or listen to the things happening in the world lately, it would seem as if sin is having a serious effect on the lives of many people. Issues of lust and sex are becoming normalized through different channels especially the media. Even as believers, it is quite surprising, the alarming rate at which these things are surrounding us. We no longer have to make efforts to sin but a simple decision to go on social media and a platter of certain unpleasant visuals will be served. It does not require much effort to fall because sin is traversing before us and many are falling, even believers.
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts, which WAR against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11
This scripture informs of us of an ongoing WAR. Ephesians 6:12 also reveals the nature and extent of this war. The battlefield is the mind, of which Watchman Nee explores the concept of the mind in one of his book titled the spiritual man. The mind can be filled with different thoughts, however, we are in the capacity to reject or condone such thoughts. I wrote a poem about the mind where I shared this quote; “If thinking of sin makes us sin, then thinking of Jesus will make us like Jesus.”
In a spoken word piece I wrote in 2017, I spoke about my struggle with masturbation and how God saved me. The reaction to my story was quite fascinating but most importantly, I earned the trust of many who were battling such issues. At a point, I got a little concerned when certain people approached me to share their struggles with certain things. This is not to sound judgmental but it just enlightened my understanding that no matter how matured believers may seem to be, they also have their issues and as a body of Christ, we all need each other to mature to the measure of the stature and fullness of Christ.
As someone who has battled with this issue and overcome, I have over the years learned that we cannot fight this on our own. Even Jesus Christ in John 5:30 said, “I can do nothing on my own”. It tells us how Jesus whiles on earth depended totally on God for anything and everything and till we get to the point of absolute surrender unto God, it will be difficult for us to achieve much. We are told in three different scriptures (James 4:7, 1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Timothy 2:22) to FLEE when it comes to matters of sexual sin. There is no point in confronting sins which we have to flee, by every possible means. I have realized that the depth at which I surrender to Jesus should supersede the depth at which I fall into sin. I need to stay alert, pray more, seek Christ more and stay connected to Him.
“Therefore submit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he hath committeth fornication sinneth against his body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22
Largely, I strongly believe that even though sexual sin is prevalent in this time of our life, there are remnants who will uphold holiness. God is raising an army of believers who will not compromise but express the holiness of God.
We will not compromise. We will conquer.
-Nii Lante Mills.