“Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

WHILE BEING AWARE of history and observing our present day, it wouldn’t be inaccurate to state that society’s obsession with sex is the largest growing addiction. Nothing else has been more misused and perverted than what God gave as a sacred intimacy between man and women and when Christ returns, humanity will be found all the more ‘naked‘, wallowing deeper in the mire of its filth, rather than being ‘clothed’ in faith; the creature worshipped, the enthronement of sexual immorality, rather than the Creator.

God ordained sex – between male and female – to be expressed within its rightful and originally intended place. However, man (humanity) has rearranged it from s-e-x to e-x-s (excess!) where there is no self-control; what God gave for a fruitful purpose, man has made perverse.

Since sin originated in the world and humanity fell from the glory of God, sex has gradually been twisted and distorted almost beyond recognition and as man – through sin –  takes advantage of and violates woman, so woman uses her ‘charms’ to entice and deceive man. In our fallen state, there is always a conflict of position and power between both sexes, whereas God originally intended that both compliment each other – making one flesh in unison through marriage. Such a union can only be restored in and through Christ alone.

It is no wonder, as today’s world increases its influence in the church, why sexual immorality is notorious within many congregations and why so many individuals confess to sex outside of marriage, adultery and addiction to pornography.

This continues to be a serious problem that cannot be overlooked because other issues, deemed ‘more’ important, take its place; otherwise, the church loses the validity of her testimony when such conduct is excused or justified. It was serious misconduct in the early church and was dealt with ruthlessly, because the consequences of such toleration would have – and did have – grave repercussions.

Many who have struggled while living in defeat in this area have sought the remedy to overcome such habitual behaviour. ‘Steps to freedom’ ministries have been set up to ‘meet’ these needs; however, many who sought counselling, still confess to an ongoing problem. Many have taken on board Job’s words in chapter 31:1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” which may have lasted for a short duration of time – weeks, months only to end in failure. Others have been counselled with verses like, “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.” (Proverbs 4:25), which is all well and good but only deals so far.

The issue goes deeper than the ‘eyes’; it is the heart that matters. We can vow all we want with our eyes, but if the mainspring of our heart is corrupt, our vows will fail repeatedly. Listen to Job 31:7&9 “…and my heart has gone after my eyes…if my heart has been enticed toward a woman…” Many will argue, “Well, don’t look…avert your eyes…” How will that help if lust lives in the heart? The heart is deceitful and will outwit the eyes. Many have attempted to escape such lusts by retreating to a monastery, only to find such passions assailing them; the more attempts to purge their souls, the more they aggravate the overwhelming power of sin. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “The next most powerful thing to God is sin.” No-one can overcome lust unless they are regenerate; only the power of the Holy Spirit, indwelling the believer, can wage and win war over sin.

The nature of our appetites is what eventually dominates our conduct and no amount of willpower shall avail – “My heart has gone after my eyes” and “…where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Morality will never deal with the heart; it may restrain wrong conduct for a time; it may subdue our passions for a time, but only to surface with yet more power. A purity must enter from above, overriding our self-righteousness from below: “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 5:20). No amount of moral reform will change a man or woman until God first grips, breaks and heals the heart. It is God that alters the mainspring of our hearts and it is our hearts that are in need of continual washing and purifying by the fire of the Holy Spirit; for what our hearts desire, our eyes will follow.