100:00:00,320 –> 00:00:04,420A new love200:00:04,420 –> 00:00:08,900is stronger than an old habit and the first step in overcoming the power of300:00:08,900 –> 00:00:11,580temptation therefore is to cultivate your love for400:00:11,580 –> 00:00:15,620Christ. He died because of sin, he died, they bring you500:00:15,620 –> 00:00:19,440out of sin, he has cleansed you from sin. How can you go there?600:00:19,440 –> 00:00:23,480Welcome to Open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith700:00:23,480 –> 00:00:27,280I’m David Pick, I’m glad you could be with us today and today we’re continuing the800:00:27,280 –> 00:00:29,280message which deals with the seventh900:00:29,860 –> 00:00:33,560commandment and we’ve already heard an extremely helpful point1000:00:33,560 –> 00:00:37,380that the first step to overcome temptation is to cultivate1100:00:37,380 –> 00:00:41,279a love for Christ. You know at the end of the day1200:00:41,279 –> 00:00:44,919every time we sin, we take a particular1300:00:44,919 –> 00:00:48,740action because we think will find more happiness by doing it1400:00:48,740 –> 00:00:52,680than we would find by declining. Ultimately there is a1500:00:52,680 –> 00:00:55,820motive of happiness that lies behind1600:00:55,820 –> 00:00:59,200every choice and therefore the way in which1700:00:59,200 –> 00:01:02,340we’re going to be able to change1800:01:02,340 –> 00:01:05,900bad habits of behavior and to put1900:01:05,900 –> 00:01:09,139destructive choices behind us is to find2000:01:09,139 –> 00:01:12,080a new motive that’s gonna be more2100:01:12,080 –> 00:01:15,339powerful than the attraction of the old2200:01:15,339 –> 00:01:20,580that always pulled down and what’s that gonna be? It’s got to be love for Jesus2300:01:20,580 –> 00:01:21,419Christ,2400:01:21,419 –> 00:01:24,559the expulsive power of a new affection.2500:01:24,559 –> 00:01:28,459I come to love him and that means that I begin to change2600:01:28,480 –> 00:01:31,599my ways before..you see it all the time with people who fall in love2700:01:31,599 –> 00:01:34,699they change all kinds of things we all do2800:01:34,699 –> 00:01:39,699when we fall in love. Well, love for Christ is gonna bring all kinds of changes to2900:01:39,699 –> 00:01:40,620a person’s life3000:01:40,620 –> 00:01:43,739but that needs to be cultivated that needs to be encouraged and of course3100:01:43,739 –> 00:01:46,440that’s what this program is all about you feed the soul3200:01:46,440 –> 00:01:50,639and the truth of the word of God nourishes a vibrant love for him3300:01:50,639 –> 00:01:55,699well we’ll see that today in Exodus chapter 20 and verse 14. I hope you’ll3400:01:55,699 –> 00:01:56,300join us3500:01:57,000 –> 00:01:57,720there in your Bibles3600:01:57,720 –> 00:02:01,260as we continue the message your struggle for purity3700:02:01,260 –> 00:02:05,419here’s Colin, now in the time that we have I want to do two things very simply3800:02:05,419 –> 00:02:08,300the first is to give a biblical framework3900:02:08,300 –> 00:02:12,399for understanding our sexuality and I want to do that in three simple4000:02:12,399 –> 00:02:14,520statements that are very very important4100:02:14,520 –> 00:02:17,740but it’s important for us to grasp a biblical framework for this4200:02:17,740 –> 00:02:21,759important issue and then secondly I want us to identify4300:02:21,759 –> 00:02:25,179two issues in which we need practical help4400:02:25,240 –> 00:02:27,320in moving forward to overcome4500:02:27,320 –> 00:02:31,339in the struggle so first of all then the biblical framework in three4600:02:31,339 –> 00:02:32,820statements here’s the first4700:02:32,820 –> 00:02:35,839God has given us that good gift4800:02:35,839 –> 00:02:38,979of our sexuality God has given us the4900:02:38,979 –> 00:02:42,740good gift of our sexuality and I want to emphasize that phrase5000:02:42,740 –> 00:02:47,179the good gift it was in the beginning that God created them5100:02:47,179 –> 00:02:51,860male and female this was God’s idea this is wonderful5200:02:52,839 –> 00:02:54,440think of what that means5300:02:54,440 –> 00:02:57,899the first sexual5400:02:57,899 –> 00:03:01,179thought in the universe was5500:03:01,179 –> 00:03:04,279in the mind of God5600:03:04,279 –> 00:03:07,539and the first sexual thought5700:03:07,539 –> 00:03:11,380in the universe was absolutely pure5800:03:11,399 –> 00:03:15,539in the creative genius of God5900:03:15,539 –> 00:03:19,580he conceives this marvelous way in which he will create6000:03:19,600 –> 00:03:21,919not just humanity, but male and female6100:03:21,919 –> 00:03:24,039he creates the woman from the man6200:03:24,059 –> 00:03:27,399he then brings the woman to the man in the first marriage6300:03:27,399 –> 00:03:30,660and in that first marriage there is not just a union6400:03:30,660 –> 00:03:32,660there is a reunion6500:03:32,660 –> 00:03:35,520a completion for both6600:03:36,179 –> 00:03:39,479it goes back to the very nature of their creation6700:03:39,720 –> 00:03:41,100it’s a wonderful thing6800:03:42,759 –> 00:03:45,940the bible has a very wonderful phrase to describe6900:03:46,080 –> 00:03:48,820the partnership of a man and a woman in marriage7000:03:48,820 –> 00:03:52,059remember from genesis chapter 2, and verse 247100:03:52,059 –> 00:03:53,380it’s quoted by the Lord Jesus7200:03:53,440 –> 00:03:55,419also in the new testament7300:03:55,419 –> 00:03:57,919a man God says will leave his father and mother7400:03:57,940 –> 00:03:59,399and be united to his wife7500:03:59,399 –> 00:04:02,740and they will become one flesh7600:04:03,699 –> 00:04:05,000a beautiful phrase7700:04:05,559 –> 00:04:07,919they will become one flesh7800:04:08,539 –> 00:04:09,779that’s the first thing7900:04:09,779 –> 00:04:12,800God has given us the good gift of sexuality8000:04:12,820 –> 00:04:15,460and some of us need to be refreshed from the scriptures8100:04:15,500 –> 00:04:18,220about the goodness of it8200:04:18,899 –> 00:04:22,380we all live with the pressure of a fallen sexuality8300:04:23,260 –> 00:04:26,899the entrance of sin into the world has affected every area of our lives8400:04:26,899 –> 00:04:28,899the affects vary8500:04:28,899 –> 00:04:32,179but all of us live with the affects of a fallen sexuality8600:04:33,459 –> 00:04:37,179that means that we’re tempted to take God’s good gift8700:04:37,179 –> 00:04:39,899and to use it wrongly8800:04:39,899 –> 00:04:43,899to use it not as a means of expressing love within marriage8900:04:44,100 –> 00:04:48,100but of a means of finding release or of fulfillment9000:04:50,779 –> 00:04:53,500the proper place of sexual union the bible makes clear9100:04:53,500 –> 00:04:55,500is within a loving and lifelong marriage9200:04:55,500 –> 00:04:57,500a partnership of one man and one woman9300:04:59,339 –> 00:05:02,059but if we take God’s wonderful gift outside of marriage9400:05:03,459 –> 00:05:05,459with another person9500:05:05,459 –> 00:05:07,459or if we seek to use it on our own9600:05:09,980 –> 00:05:12,059then we abuse God’s gift9700:05:12,380 –> 00:05:15,380beacuse we lose sight of its purpose9800:05:16,540 –> 00:05:18,579I came across a brilliant analogy9900:05:18,579 –> 00:05:20,579to illustrate this point10000:05:20,579 –> 00:05:22,140that I will certainly never forget10100:05:22,140 –> 00:05:24,140I hope it will be the same for you also10200:05:24,140 –> 00:05:26,700and perhaps I can best summarise the illustration10300:05:27,660 –> 00:05:28,980in this way10400:05:30,260 –> 00:05:32,380sex on your own10500:05:33,140 –> 00:05:35,140is the spiritual equivalent10600:05:35,140 –> 00:05:37,140of glue sniffing10700:05:38,299 –> 00:05:39,619now think about that10800:05:40,220 –> 00:05:44,339the purpose of glue is to bind two things together10900:05:46,260 –> 00:05:48,260and when glue is used for that purpose11000:05:48,260 –> 00:05:50,739it’s a wonderful, wonderful thing11100:05:52,339 –> 00:05:54,380but if a person goes off on their own11200:05:54,380 –> 00:05:56,380and uses glue to get a kick11300:05:56,420 –> 00:05:57,899or to get high11400:05:58,940 –> 00:06:00,940they are perverting its purpose11500:06:00,940 –> 00:06:02,940and doing damage to themselves11600:06:04,019 –> 00:06:05,739that’s not what it’s for11700:06:06,940 –> 00:06:08,339and if you use it like that11800:06:08,380 –> 00:06:10,459you do damage to yourself11900:06:12,100 –> 00:06:15,019now that is why the whole issue of pornography12000:06:15,019 –> 00:06:16,820in our society is so serious12100:06:17,380 –> 00:06:19,220we have come to see in our society12200:06:19,220 –> 00:06:22,059sex as a means of release12300:06:22,059 –> 00:06:24,540rather than an expression of love12400:06:25,859 –> 00:06:27,619and because increasingly12500:06:27,619 –> 00:06:30,739we are pumped with this kind of an approach12600:06:31,260 –> 00:06:34,019it debilitates often within marriage12700:06:34,980 –> 00:06:36,980and it causes so often12800:06:37,859 –> 00:06:41,540us to think in terms before and outside of marriage12900:06:41,540 –> 00:06:44,059that ruin our very capacity13000:06:44,059 –> 00:06:47,140to be good at expressing the heart of love13100:06:48,700 –> 00:06:51,299when we see sex as an outlet for tension13200:06:51,299 –> 00:06:54,579rather than as the glue to bond together13300:06:55,820 –> 00:06:57,540God’s gift gets abused13400:06:57,540 –> 00:07:01,500and that can happen both inside and outside marriage, of course13500:07:02,459 –> 00:07:04,899Ronald Wallace, a very insightful writer13600:07:04,899 –> 00:07:07,980makes this comment that I find very, very helpful13700:07:07,980 –> 00:07:10,980He says instead of serving true love13800:07:12,339 –> 00:07:17,380sex used in this way becomes harnessed to self-centeredness13900:07:17,380 –> 00:07:20,179it thus tends to destroy the possibility14000:07:20,179 –> 00:07:23,019of the very relationship it was designed to further14100:07:24,140 –> 00:07:25,859When you abuse it14200:07:25,859 –> 00:07:29,540it tends to destroy the very possibility of the relationship14300:07:29,540 –> 00:07:32,140that it was designed to further14400:07:32,820 –> 00:07:36,420Pornography is adultery in the mind14500:07:36,420 –> 00:07:39,059and perhaps the biggest issue with it14600:07:39,059 –> 00:07:43,220is that it reduces your capacity to love14700:07:44,779 –> 00:07:46,779So this is our tension14800:07:46,779 –> 00:07:49,500God has given us the gift of sexuality14900:07:49,500 –> 00:07:53,739but we all live with the pressure of a fallen sexuality15000:07:53,739 –> 00:07:56,019Here’s the third thing in our biblical framework15100:07:56,019 –> 00:07:59,500Christ has come to redeem our sexuality15200:07:59,500 –> 00:08:02,839Christ has come to redeem every part of your life15300:08:02,839 –> 00:08:06,200Christianity is not just about the saving of your soul15400:08:06,200 –> 00:08:10,559it is about the redeeming of your life15500:08:10,559 –> 00:08:12,160that is why the New Testament15600:08:12,160 –> 00:08:14,619speaks about every dimension of our life15700:08:14,619 –> 00:08:16,720Paul says, may the God of Peace15800:08:16,720 –> 00:08:19,579sanctify you through and through15900:08:19,579 –> 00:08:22,339your whole spirit, soul, and body16000:08:22,339 –> 00:08:25,119be kept blameless until the coming of Jesus16100:08:25,119 –> 00:08:26,619And then just in case there’s any doubt16200:08:26,619 –> 00:08:28,140he says the one who’s called you16300:08:28,339 –> 00:08:31,279is faithful, and He’ll do it16400:08:31,299 –> 00:08:34,739He’ll sanctify you, spirit, soul, and body16500:08:34,739 –> 00:08:37,260That’s why the Apostle Paul says16600:08:37,260 –> 00:08:39,460Honor God with your body16700:08:39,460 –> 00:08:41,1791 Corinthians 6.2716800:08:41,179 –> 00:08:43,979Each of you should learn to control his own body16900:08:43,979 –> 00:08:45,979in a way that is holy and honorable17000:08:45,979 –> 00:08:49,9401 Thessalonians 4.417100:08:49,940 –> 00:08:50,940Now maybe at this point17200:08:50,940 –> 00:08:52,400some of us feel we’re17300:08:52,400 –> 00:08:55,440staring defeat in the face17400:08:55,539 –> 00:08:58,440And so, let me point to the door of hope17500:08:58,440 –> 00:08:59,979If you were here at the beginning of this series17600:08:59,979 –> 00:09:02,200you might remember a little story that we told17700:09:02,200 –> 00:09:04,679Just review it in case some have forgotten17800:09:04,679 –> 00:09:05,840or didn’t hear17900:09:05,840 –> 00:09:07,380But you remember the story about the thief18000:09:07,380 –> 00:09:10,719who was converted while he was in prison18100:09:10,719 –> 00:09:12,679And after he came out of prison18200:09:12,679 –> 00:09:13,679he came into church18300:09:13,679 –> 00:09:15,440and he saw the ten commandments on the wall18400:09:15,440 –> 00:09:18,739and the first thing his eye goes to18500:09:18,739 –> 00:09:19,739is that command that says18600:09:19,739 –> 00:09:20,739thou shalt not steal18700:09:20,739 –> 00:09:21,780And he felt so condemned because of his past18800:09:21,780 –> 00:09:24,239and he felt even worse about his future18900:09:24,239 –> 00:09:25,979because he thought this habit is so ingrained19000:09:25,979 –> 00:09:29,039I’m just gonna do it all over again19100:09:29,039 –> 00:09:30,099And then as the story goes19200:09:30,099 –> 00:09:33,400And this is a true story, by the way19300:09:33,400 –> 00:09:34,479He began to look at this19400:09:34,479 –> 00:09:36,979And he felt he was hearing the Holy Spirit19500:09:36,979 –> 00:09:38,099say it to him19600:09:38,099 –> 00:09:39,700the same words in a different tone19700:09:39,700 –> 00:09:40,859not as a command19800:09:40,859 –> 00:09:42,460but as a promise19900:09:42,460 –> 00:09:43,460he had always heard it as20000:09:43,460 –> 00:09:46,679You shall not steal20100:09:46,679 –> 00:09:48,820Now because the spirit of God lived within him20200:09:48,820 –> 00:09:50,659he was hearing it in a different tone20300:09:50,659 –> 00:09:53,760You shall not steal20400:09:53,840 –> 00:09:55,619There’s a new power at work within you20500:09:55,640 –> 00:09:57,859and you are able to break the old ingrained20600:09:57,859 –> 00:10:00,400pattern you’re not going to steal20700:10:00,400 –> 00:10:05,520Now, some of us needs to hear the seventh20800:10:05,520 –> 00:10:07,340commandment in that tone20900:10:07,340 –> 00:10:10,080As a Christian believer21000:10:10,080 –> 00:10:12,039Indwelt by the Holy Spirit21100:10:12,039 –> 00:10:15,760Empowered and enabled by the presence of God21200:10:15,760 –> 00:10:16,760in your life21300:10:16,760 –> 00:10:20,520the Lord would say to you in this commandment21400:10:20,520 –> 00:10:23,020as someone indwelt by the spirit of God21500:10:23,020 –> 00:10:26,640You shall not commit adultery21600:10:26,640 –> 00:10:29,099Not in your action21700:10:29,099 –> 00:10:31,580And not in your mind21800:10:31,580 –> 00:10:33,299You are going to be able to break21900:10:33,299 –> 00:10:37,599even where this has been an ingrained habit22000:10:37,599 –> 00:10:39,239The power for victory is yours22100:10:39,239 –> 00:10:41,719You belong to Christ22200:10:41,719 –> 00:10:43,619And this Christ has come to forgive you22300:10:43,619 –> 00:10:45,739and to restore you and to redeem you22400:10:45,739 –> 00:10:48,780so that you may walk in the path of purity22500:10:48,780 –> 00:10:51,239You’re listening to Open the Bible22600:10:51,239 –> 00:10:52,719with Pastor Colin Smith22700:10:52,719 –> 00:10:55,979and a message called Your Struggle for Purity22800:10:55,979 –> 00:10:58,039It’s based on the seventh Commandment22900:10:58,039 –> 00:10:59,260It’s part of the series23000:10:59,260 –> 00:11:01,820The Ten Greatest Struggles of Your Life23100:11:01,820 –> 00:11:04,179And if you’ve missed any of the series so far23200:11:04,179 –> 00:11:05,559don’t forget you can always catch up23300:11:05,559 –> 00:11:07,619or go back and listen again online23400:11:07,619 –> 00:11:11,559at our website Openthebible.org.uk23500:11:11,559 –> 00:11:12,559Back to the message now23600:11:12,559 –> 00:11:14,159We’re in exodus 2023700:11:14,159 –> 00:11:15,419Here’s Colin23800:11:15,419 –> 00:11:16,580These last moments this morning23900:11:16,580 –> 00:11:18,599I want us to grasp24000:11:18,599 –> 00:11:20,619two areas of the struggle24100:11:20,679 –> 00:11:22,179in which the power of Christ24200:11:22,179 –> 00:11:25,039is at work in us to redeem24300:11:25,039 –> 00:11:26,799Let me identify these two struggles24400:11:26,799 –> 00:11:29,479First there’s the struggle to overcome24500:11:29,479 –> 00:11:31,820which is a real battle for many24600:11:31,820 –> 00:11:35,419And the other is the struggle to forgive24700:11:35,419 –> 00:11:39,260which is a big issue for some24800:11:39,260 –> 00:11:41,380Let me just comment on these two briefly24900:11:41,380 –> 00:11:43,679First the struggle to overcome25000:11:43,679 –> 00:11:46,299Let me suggest two strategies for this25100:11:46,299 –> 00:11:47,640The first is25200:11:47,739 –> 00:11:52,000As you look at the temptation that is before you25300:11:52,000 –> 00:11:56,859see what this means for Christ25400:11:56,859 –> 00:11:59,700Now I take this from Genesis 39 verse 1025500:11:59,700 –> 00:12:01,059which is the story of Joseph25600:12:01,059 –> 00:12:02,719one of the most insightful stories25700:12:02,719 –> 00:12:05,780on this issue in the Bible25800:12:05,780 –> 00:12:08,580Remember Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife25900:12:08,580 –> 00:12:11,780a beautiful woman who was trying to entice him26000:12:11,780 –> 00:12:13,840Here’s this young guy in a foreign country26100:12:13,840 –> 00:12:14,700Nobody knows26200:12:14,700 –> 00:12:16,500I mean can you imagine the pressure26300:12:16,500 –> 00:12:21,359of desire and opportunity coming together26400:12:21,359 –> 00:12:25,159Now this is what Joseph says26500:12:25,159 –> 00:12:27,919He says in Genesis chapter 39 and verse 1026600:12:27,919 –> 00:12:31,820How could I do such a wicked thing26700:12:31,820 –> 00:12:34,239and sin against God?26800:12:34,239 –> 00:12:37,739That’s what he said to Potiphar’s wife26900:12:37,739 –> 00:12:38,859Now notice what he does27000:12:38,859 –> 00:12:40,520First he identifies sin for what it is27100:12:40,520 –> 00:12:42,659He calls it a wicked thing27200:12:43,559 –> 00:12:47,000There’s no moving words around here27300:12:47,000 –> 00:12:49,640to try and pretend that it is really okay27400:12:49,640 –> 00:12:50,900He says that this is a wicked thing27500:12:50,900 –> 00:12:53,179that is sin27600:12:53,179 –> 00:12:54,539And if you’re going to win27700:12:54,539 –> 00:12:56,599you have to name it for what it is27800:12:56,599 –> 00:12:59,200You’ll never make any progress27900:12:59,200 –> 00:13:01,159so long as there are caveats in your mind28000:13:01,159 –> 00:13:04,539about it all being okay28100:13:04,539 –> 00:13:05,739Joseph’s starting point is28200:13:05,739 –> 00:13:06,739That it is a wicked thing28300:13:06,739 –> 00:13:07,739It’s a sin28400:13:07,739 –> 00:13:10,299Then having identified it for what it is28500:13:10,299 –> 00:13:11,299He says28600:13:11,760 –> 00:13:13,059Why can’t I do this wicked thing28700:13:13,059 –> 00:13:16,239and sin against God28800:13:16,239 –> 00:13:17,580You see if he was just thinking28900:13:17,580 –> 00:13:18,840about it at the level of him29000:13:18,840 –> 00:13:19,840and Potiphar’s wife29100:13:19,840 –> 00:13:20,840and how attractive she was29200:13:20,840 –> 00:13:21,840and Potiphar29300:13:21,840 –> 00:13:23,020the fact that he wasn’t there29400:13:23,020 –> 00:13:25,539He would have quickly fallen into temptation29500:13:25,539 –> 00:13:27,500But what he does29600:13:27,500 –> 00:13:29,880is that he makes a spiritual issue of it29700:13:29,880 –> 00:13:32,260He connects it to God29800:13:32,260 –> 00:13:33,260If I do this29900:13:33,260 –> 00:13:35,059I’m sinning against God30000:13:35,059 –> 00:13:37,520Now for us this side of the cross30100:13:37,520 –> 00:13:38,520what that means is30200:13:38,520 –> 00:13:39,520that we got to look at30300:13:39,520 –> 00:13:40,520what it means for Jesus30400:13:40,520 –> 00:13:45,679You’ve got to see a sin for what it is30500:13:45,679 –> 00:13:50,140and see what that meant for him30600:13:50,140 –> 00:13:53,159Great American preacher Jonathan Edwards30700:13:53,159 –> 00:13:55,260had a phrase that I find very helpful30800:13:55,260 –> 00:13:56,260He talked about30900:13:56,260 –> 00:13:59,020the expulsive power31000:13:59,020 –> 00:14:00,640of a new affection31100:14:00,640 –> 00:14:03,559What that means is simply this31200:14:03,559 –> 00:14:05,599that a new love31300:14:05,599 –> 00:14:07,400is stronger than an old habit31400:14:07,780 –> 00:14:09,940That’s worth writing down31500:14:09,940 –> 00:14:11,520A new love31600:14:11,520 –> 00:14:15,260is stronger than an old habit31700:14:15,260 –> 00:14:16,760And the first step in overcoming31800:14:16,760 –> 00:14:18,200the power of temptation therefore31900:14:18,200 –> 00:14:22,039is to cultivate your love for Christ32000:14:22,039 –> 00:14:23,340He died because of sin32100:14:23,340 –> 00:14:25,260He died to bring you out of sin32200:14:25,260 –> 00:14:27,059He has cleansed you from sin32300:14:27,059 –> 00:14:30,260How can you go there?32400:14:30,260 –> 00:14:31,400See that is why you can’t deal32500:14:31,400 –> 00:14:34,679with this struggle in isolation32600:14:34,679 –> 00:14:36,119Your ability to win through32700:14:36,479 –> 00:14:38,900will depend upon your love for Christ32800:14:38,900 –> 00:14:40,119That’s why Paul says32900:14:40,119 –> 00:14:41,640that the beginning of transformation33000:14:41,640 –> 00:14:43,679is through the renewing of your mind33100:14:43,679 –> 00:14:45,359You’ve got to think differently33200:14:45,359 –> 00:14:46,840about what sin is33300:14:46,840 –> 00:14:49,799and about who Christ is33400:14:49,799 –> 00:14:52,640This matters to you God33500:14:52,640 –> 00:14:56,400So it really does matter to me33600:14:56,400 –> 00:15:00,539Second, act in the power of the Spirit33700:15:00,539 –> 00:15:01,739When it comes to your battle33800:15:01,739 –> 00:15:03,299against temptation33900:15:03,299 –> 00:15:07,440God does not say pray about it34000:15:07,440 –> 00:15:09,340People are usually surprised at that statement34100:15:09,340 –> 00:15:11,780God does not say pray about it34200:15:11,780 –> 00:15:15,140He says act against it34300:15:15,140 –> 00:15:15,780The reason that God34400:15:15,780 –> 00:15:16,960does not say pray about it34500:15:16,960 –> 00:15:18,280is that the more you pray about it34600:15:18,280 –> 00:15:19,200the more you think about it34700:15:19,200 –> 00:15:20,200And the more you think about it34800:15:20,200 –> 00:15:21,840the bigger it gets in your mind34900:15:21,840 –> 00:15:23,739and it actually can make the problem worse35000:15:23,739 –> 00:15:25,940The same is true by the way of fears35100:15:25,940 –> 00:15:29,359So what God says is not35200:15:29,359 –> 00:15:30,859well, you’ve got to pray about this35300:15:30,859 –> 00:15:32,760and hand it over to me35400:15:32,799 –> 00:15:35,020Not this issue35500:15:35,020 –> 00:15:36,099What he says is you’ve got to put35600:15:36,099 –> 00:15:37,880to death the misdeeds of the body35700:15:37,880 –> 00:15:38,900you’ve got to say by the35800:15:38,900 –> 00:15:39,760power of the spirit35900:15:39,760 –> 00:15:41,599No to ungodliness36000:15:41,599 –> 00:15:43,880You’ve got to act against temptation36100:15:43,880 –> 00:15:46,799This is not a put a hand over to God issue36200:15:46,799 –> 00:15:48,099this is an issue where God says36300:15:48,099 –> 00:15:49,880Look I’ve put my spirit within you36400:15:49,880 –> 00:15:52,320and I call you to act36500:15:53,960 –> 00:15:54,599I was trying to think of an36600:15:54,599 –> 00:15:55,640illustration of this36700:15:55,640 –> 00:15:57,820and sometimes during the summer36800:15:57,820 –> 00:15:59,440we sit out on the deck36900:15:59,440 –> 00:16:00,539at the back of our house37000:16:00,539 –> 00:16:02,719enjoy a lunch or eat together37100:16:02,799 –> 00:16:04,020when we get the barbeque going37200:16:04,020 –> 00:16:04,599and so forth37300:16:04,599 –> 00:16:05,559It’s really very, very pleasant37400:16:05,559 –> 00:16:07,239except for one thing37500:16:07,239 –> 00:16:10,500What do you do about the wasps?37600:16:10,500 –> 00:16:12,619Right? You have that problem too37700:16:12,619 –> 00:16:13,760You know and you’re sitting there37800:16:13,760 –> 00:16:14,700you’re only there for five minutes37900:16:14,700 –> 00:16:16,000and you’ve got the lemonade38000:16:16,000 –> 00:16:17,340there with the ice in it38100:16:17,340 –> 00:16:18,260and the next thing this thing38200:16:18,260 –> 00:16:19,080comes buzz, buzz, buzz38300:16:19,080 –> 00:16:20,080and it goes round and round the top38400:16:20,080 –> 00:16:21,179and you know what it’s like38500:16:21,179 –> 00:16:24,580Now what do you do?38600:16:24,580 –> 00:16:25,780Well we get a bit of newspaper38700:16:25,780 –> 00:16:26,820we kind of roll it up38800:16:26,820 –> 00:16:27,919We swat it38900:16:28,919 –> 00:16:34,059I’ve never yet prayed about a wasp39000:16:34,059 –> 00:16:36,760Dear Lord you know these wasps are coming39100:16:36,760 –> 00:16:39,539Deliver me from the wasps39200:16:39,539 –> 00:16:43,919I need to be strengthened against the wasps39300:16:43,919 –> 00:16:47,500No, I use the resource that’s been given to me39400:16:47,500 –> 00:16:49,380which happens to be a newspaper39500:16:49,380 –> 00:16:50,780and that’s the end of that one39600:16:50,780 –> 00:16:53,820Now, that is precisely39700:16:53,820 –> 00:16:55,280the way in which the New Testament39800:16:55,280 –> 00:16:56,580speaks about this issue39900:16:56,580 –> 00:16:57,460What do you do?40000:16:57,460 –> 00:16:58,739What do you do with these thoughts40100:16:58,739 –> 00:16:59,979that come into your mind40200:16:59,979 –> 00:17:01,340when you go past some poster40300:17:01,340 –> 00:17:03,159or the ideas that come40400:17:03,159 –> 00:17:05,219when someone has exchanged a look in the office40500:17:05,219 –> 00:17:06,219or whatever it is40600:17:06,219 –> 00:17:08,619You don’t magnify it up40700:17:08,619 –> 00:17:11,579You swot it in your mind40800:17:11,579 –> 00:17:12,579You do40900:17:12,579 –> 00:17:14,280That’s what the Bible says41000:17:14,280 –> 00:17:16,540You put to death the misdeeds of the body41100:17:16,540 –> 00:17:17,619by the power of the spirit41200:17:17,619 –> 00:17:19,020then you say no to ungodliness41300:17:19,020 –> 00:17:21,780This is something for which God holds us accountable41400:17:21,780 –> 00:17:24,579It is something in which you and I have to be active41500:17:24,579 –> 00:17:26,839and we’re gonna have to be swotting41600:17:26,959 –> 00:17:28,540these things on a regular41700:17:28,540 –> 00:17:30,520kind of basis in the society41800:17:30,520 –> 00:17:31,560in which we live41900:17:31,560 –> 00:17:35,680And the most important thing to know is this42000:17:35,680 –> 00:17:38,599You have the power to do it42100:17:38,599 –> 00:17:39,599Because even now42200:17:39,599 –> 00:17:41,280the enemy is saying to some of us42300:17:41,280 –> 00:17:42,439oh you can’t do that42400:17:42,439 –> 00:17:43,439oh no no42500:17:43,439 –> 00:17:44,439well other people can’t42600:17:44,439 –> 00:17:45,800but you can’t42700:17:45,800 –> 00:17:46,800listen42800:17:46,800 –> 00:17:47,800that’s a lie42900:17:47,800 –> 00:17:48,619YOU can43000:17:48,619 –> 00:17:50,500the spirit of God lives within you43100:17:50,500 –> 00:17:51,959and what God says to you is43200:17:51,959 –> 00:17:54,020by the spirit put to death43300:17:54,020 –> 00:17:55,339the misdeeds of the body43400:17:55,339 –> 00:17:57,219you are able to address this issue43500:17:57,219 –> 00:17:58,719because you are a Christian43600:17:58,719 –> 00:18:01,420it’s part of what it means to be a Christian43700:18:01,420 –> 00:18:03,760Some of us are way too passive43800:18:03,760 –> 00:18:06,040we’ve spiritualized this out of sight43900:18:06,040 –> 00:18:08,900and completely failed to do what God tells us to do44000:18:08,900 –> 00:18:10,680which is to take ourselves in hand44100:18:10,680 –> 00:18:15,560and to swat the thoughts when they come44200:18:15,560 –> 00:18:18,319You can overcome44300:18:18,319 –> 00:18:20,800The struggle for purity is a life long struggle44400:18:20,800 –> 00:18:22,439like the wasps it never goes away44500:18:22,439 –> 00:18:24,880But you can prevail44600:18:24,880 –> 00:18:29,400Lastly, the struggle to forgive44700:18:29,400 –> 00:18:33,540I know these are sensitive issues44800:18:33,540 –> 00:18:35,579especially for folks who have been deeply wounded44900:18:35,579 –> 00:18:47,140I especially appreciated the input of my wife45000:18:47,140 –> 00:18:51,400As we’ve sat together, talked, thought, prayed45100:18:51,400 –> 00:18:54,699and worked on what would be truthful45200:18:54,699 –> 00:18:59,339and what would be helpful to say here45300:18:59,339 –> 00:19:01,439But I want to speak to wives who’ve been disappointed45400:19:01,439 –> 00:19:04,959by your husband45500:19:04,959 –> 00:19:11,219Perhaps he’s lacked tenderness, he’s lacked consideration45600:19:11,219 –> 00:19:14,500Perhaps you’ve found that he was involved in pornography45700:19:14,500 –> 00:19:16,640Perhaps there was an affair45800:19:16,640 –> 00:19:19,579and just speaking now to married folks45900:19:19,579 –> 00:19:23,859for these very few moments46000:19:23,979 –> 00:19:28,119is not uncommon46100:19:28,119 –> 00:19:32,839Lets suppose there has been some real ownership of the issue46200:19:32,839 –> 00:19:36,400and he has shown repentance46300:19:36,400 –> 00:19:40,739Or lets suppose that begins today46400:19:40,739 –> 00:19:43,780That God speaks to him today46500:19:43,780 –> 00:19:47,160And a change begins46600:19:47,160 –> 00:19:51,079Now forgiving isn’t easy46700:19:51,079 –> 00:20:00,439But your forgiveness, your love, your support can play a huge part in the healing of these wounds46800:20:00,439 –> 00:20:05,380It is often the case within the life of the church that sexual issues are dealt with46900:20:05,380 –> 00:20:08,280Primarily on a men’s retreat47000:20:08,280 –> 00:20:09,900And there is nothing wrong with that47100:20:09,900 –> 00:20:13,239Its a good thing to do, we should do it47200:20:13,239 –> 00:20:17,760But I have become increasingly convinced that the best hope for real change47300:20:17,760 –> 00:20:22,319with married folks in this area is when a husband and a wife47400:20:22,319 –> 00:20:25,180Face these issues together47500:20:25,180 –> 00:20:31,099But you can’t do that in a spirit of condemnation47600:20:31,099 –> 00:20:35,140Repentance is something to be embraced47700:20:35,140 –> 00:20:37,599Remember the story of the prodigal son47800:20:37,599 –> 00:20:41,219He begins this long journey home in a spirit of true repentance47900:20:41,219 –> 00:20:43,199And all the way on that long journey48000:20:43,199 –> 00:20:44,979He must have been wondering in his mind48100:20:44,979 –> 00:20:46,479How am I going to be received?48200:20:46,579 –> 00:20:47,900How am I going to be received?48300:20:47,900 –> 00:20:51,739How is it going to be when I get home?48400:20:51,760 –> 00:20:55,780And the single most wonderful thing in this story48500:20:55,780 –> 00:20:58,439that we all know so well48600:20:58,439 –> 00:21:02,300Is that the father goes out to meet the son48700:21:03,619 –> 00:21:08,660God meets us in our repentance48800:21:09,060 –> 00:21:12,319he doesn’t stand back at a distance48900:21:12,339 –> 00:21:16,160He sees what’s happening and he goes out to meet what is happening49000:21:16,160 –> 00:21:21,459And he brings us the rest of the way home49100:21:21,479 –> 00:21:26,040And my prayer is that will happen in many homes49200:21:26,060 –> 00:21:29,880If he can learn to overcome49300:21:29,880 –> 00:21:32,939You can learn to forgive49400:21:32,939 –> 00:21:36,459There are two struggles here49500:21:36,459 –> 00:21:37,819And think about it49600:21:37,819 –> 00:21:42,540The healing of the one can be the healing of the other49700:21:42,560 –> 00:21:45,560Either way around49800:21:45,680 –> 00:21:50,479And when one partner in a marriage is ready to make a break with patterns of past49900:21:50,479 –> 00:21:53,420And the other is ready to meet that repentance50000:21:53,420 –> 00:21:58,540And to walk together the rest of the way home50100:21:58,540 –> 00:22:01,959There is great hope for the future50200:22:01,959 –> 00:22:04,319You can overcome50300:22:04,319 –> 00:22:07,060You can forgive50400:22:07,060 –> 00:22:10,199And what God has joined together50500:22:10,199 –> 00:22:12,160Let no man sever50600:22:12,199 –> 00:22:15,020We’ve been listening to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith50700:22:15,020 –> 00:22:18,800and a message called Your Struggle for Purity50800:22:18,800 –> 00:22:22,199part of our series, The Ten Greatest Struggles of Your Life50900:22:22,199 –> 00:22:24,319Based On the Ten Commandments51000:22:24,319 –> 00:22:25,959And if you’ve missed any of the series51100:22:25,959 –> 00:22:28,739You can always catch up or go back and listen again51200:22:28,739 –> 00:22:30,459by coming online to our website51300:22:30,459 –> 00:22:32,920openthebible.org.uk51400:22:32,920 –> 00:22:37,719Open The Bible is supported financially by our listeners51500:22:37,719 –> 00:22:40,719and if you already support Open The Bible in that way51600:22:40,719 –> 00:22:43,020we want to say a big thank you today51700:22:43,020 –> 00:22:46,420If that’s something you’ve been considering doing in the future51800:22:46,420 –> 00:22:49,020If you want to set up a new direct debit51900:22:49,020 –> 00:22:50,420to the work of Open The Bible52000:22:50,420 –> 00:22:52,920in the amount of 5 pounds per month or more52100:22:52,920 –> 00:22:55,819or a one off gift of of 50 pounds or more52200:22:55,819 –> 00:22:59,319we’d love to say thank you by sending you a free gift52300:22:59,319 –> 00:23:02,920It’s Pastor Colin’s book Drive Through The Bible52400:23:02,920 –> 00:23:04,719a 30-day journey52500:23:04,719 –> 00:23:08,380Along with that we’ll also send you a lovely tote bag52600:23:08,579 –> 00:23:11,380An Open The Bible pen and bookmark52700:23:11,380 –> 00:23:14,040Colin what do you hope we’ll get from reading52800:23:14,040 –> 00:23:15,800Drive Through The Bible?52900:23:15,800 –> 00:23:18,280Oh three things very clearly53000:23:18,280 –> 00:23:20,579I mean the first is simply to open the Bible53100:23:20,579 –> 00:23:23,339I mean you expect me to say that we are Open The Bible53200:23:23,339 –> 00:23:25,040That’s our fundamental objective53300:23:25,040 –> 00:23:26,739To get people into the word of God53400:23:26,739 –> 00:23:30,260To get the word of God into the lives and hearts of people53500:23:30,260 –> 00:23:32,339Because God’s word is living seat53600:23:32,339 –> 00:23:34,479and it bears the most wonderful fruit53700:23:34,479 –> 00:23:36,780It sustains us in the Christian life53800:23:36,900 –> 00:23:39,719So this will get you into the Bible53900:23:39,719 –> 00:23:44,560It’ll help you secondly to understand the Bible’s story54000:23:44,560 –> 00:23:46,800and the whole Bible is one’s story54100:23:46,800 –> 00:23:48,280There is a narrative54200:23:48,280 –> 00:23:50,780and Drive Through The Bible takes us through54300:23:50,780 –> 00:23:53,979the peaks and the valleys of the Bible’s story54400:23:53,979 –> 00:23:58,339Old Testament, the Gospels, the Believer’s experience54500:23:58,339 –> 00:24:01,500as it’s laid out in the New Testament epistles54600:24:01,500 –> 00:24:05,219and most of all because this is always the ultimate objective54700:24:05,280 –> 00:24:07,619Because the Bible is pointing us everywhere54800:24:07,619 –> 00:24:09,239to the Lord Jesus Christ54900:24:09,239 –> 00:24:12,180as you are immersed in the scripture55000:24:12,180 –> 00:24:14,260in this very simple introduction55100:24:14,260 –> 00:24:16,459you’re going to grow in your love55200:24:16,459 –> 00:24:18,739for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ55300:24:18,739 –> 00:24:21,040and that’s my biggest hope, my biggest prayer55400:24:21,040 –> 00:24:24,180as I think of people driving through the Bible’s story55500:24:24,180 –> 00:24:26,739the love for Christ will grow55600:24:26,739 –> 00:24:28,219and the faith in Christ will grow55700:24:28,219 –> 00:24:30,699and the hope in Christ will increase55800:24:30,699 –> 00:24:34,079as the Word of God does its marvelous work in our lives55900:24:34,180 –> 00:24:36,760well, we’d love to send you a copy of Colin’s book56000:24:36,760 –> 00:24:39,599Drive Through the Bible, A Thirty-Day Journey56100:24:39,599 –> 00:24:41,959if you’re able to set up a new direct debit56200:24:41,959 –> 00:24:43,579to the work of Open the Bible56300:24:43,579 –> 00:24:46,599in the amount of £5 per month or more56400:24:46,599 –> 00:24:49,640or a one-off gift of £50 or more56500:24:49,640 –> 00:24:52,560full terms and conditions are on our website56600:24:52,560 –> 00:24:54,520and you can give on-line56700:24:54,520 –> 00:24:57,219for Open the Bible, Pastor Colin Smith56800:24:57,219 –> 00:24:58,520I’m David Pick56900:24:58,520 –> 00:25:00,319and I hope you’ll join us again next time57000:25:00,319 –> 00:25:01,680on Open the Bible57100:25:04,640 –> 00:25:08,459www.openthebible.org57200:25:08,959 –> 00:25:12,280Stealing is really trying to get as much as possible57300:25:12,280 –> 00:25:15,020by giving as little as possible57400:25:15,020 –> 00:25:17,699find out what the practical outcome of this is57500:25:17,699 –> 00:25:19,719next time on Open the Bible