(no subject)
I'm using this journal for a new purpose. It's going to be a place for me to post things I learn through reading my Bible and Christian Literature. I'm currently reading Not Even a Hint: Guarding Your Heart Against Lust by Joshua Harris. I'm actually about finished with it, and I've been learning/re-learning some interesting things, not all of which have to do with lust although most of them do. So I'm going to get down to it here, starting with the verse that's the cornerstone and namesake for this book.
Ephisians 5:3
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."
Yeah...that's God's requirement of us for sexual purity. NOT EVEN A HINT of sexual immorality. I don't know about the rest of you, but I certainly wasn't living my life with that goal until about 5 months ago. Something to think about, it's definitely one of the main things I've been learning about this year.
Something I was reminded of last night in reading, was the power of God's word (Bible). It is our offensive weapon against sin. Here are some verses that back that up.
01|Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
02|Ephesians 6:10-17
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
03|2 Timothy 3:16-17
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
It's refered to as a sword twice in there. I think that's pretty cool, cause man do I love swords.
The book also talks about memorizing scriptures to combat the lies of Lust. I won't put all of them here because there's a lot of them, but I'll put the first 3 lies, and the scripture to combat them. If you want to know more of them, then let me know and you can probably borrow the book after I'm done, but you'll have to ask Christy since it's hers.
Lie 01|Lust is no big deal.
Job 31:11-12|11For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. 12It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.
Lie 02|A little sinful fantasizing won't hurt.
Romans 8:6|If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.
Galations 6:7-8|7Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Romans 13:14|But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Lie 03|Taking radical action against sin isn't necessary.
Mathew 5:29-30|29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
2 Timothy 2:22|Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
That is some of the stuff I'm learning right now.
Ephisians 5:3
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."
Yeah...that's God's requirement of us for sexual purity. NOT EVEN A HINT of sexual immorality. I don't know about the rest of you, but I certainly wasn't living my life with that goal until about 5 months ago. Something to think about, it's definitely one of the main things I've been learning about this year.
Something I was reminded of last night in reading, was the power of God's word (Bible). It is our offensive weapon against sin. Here are some verses that back that up.
01|Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
02|Ephesians 6:10-17
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
03|2 Timothy 3:16-17
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
It's refered to as a sword twice in there. I think that's pretty cool, cause man do I love swords.
The book also talks about memorizing scriptures to combat the lies of Lust. I won't put all of them here because there's a lot of them, but I'll put the first 3 lies, and the scripture to combat them. If you want to know more of them, then let me know and you can probably borrow the book after I'm done, but you'll have to ask Christy since it's hers.
Lie 01|Lust is no big deal.
Job 31:11-12|11For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. 12It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.
Lie 02|A little sinful fantasizing won't hurt.
Romans 8:6|If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.
Galations 6:7-8|7Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Romans 13:14|But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Lie 03|Taking radical action against sin isn't necessary.
Mathew 5:29-30|29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
2 Timothy 2:22|Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
That is some of the stuff I'm learning right now.