As a result of counseling over the years one of the things that concerns me is a lack of integrity in some professing Christians. The Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus defines integrity as moral uprightness; honesty. An example of integrity is recorded for us in Job 2:3: “The Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.’”
Let’s first focus our attention on the moral uprightness aspect of integrity. While attending a volunteer appreciation dinner at our local pregnancy care center recently, I was impressed with the executive director’s emphasis on the importance of teaching and counseling young people in the area of ‘sexual integrity’. Rather than talking about with-holding something from them, young people are encouraged to uphold moral uprightness in their lives. I thought to myself of the multitudes of professing Christians that hold to nothing close to this kind of sexual integrity and display little or no guilt or shame.
I have counseled many men who eagerly proclaim a love for Jesus Christ and at the same time admit that they are living with girlfriends or are dating women who are married to another man, committing adultery without shame. They tell me that they plan on getting married and that God understands that they love one another and that sexual activity in their relationship is nothing to be concerned about. Obviously the lust of the flesh is so entrenched in their thinking that to be grieved over sinning against the Holy Spirit is beyond their conscience. The conscience has been seared and there is an evident lack of sexual integrity.
II Timothy 3:4&5 speaks of those who have a “form of godliness” who are “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” And, I Thessalonians 4:3 says; “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you abstain from sexual immorality.” Hebrews 13:4 tells us of God’s judgment on such activity; “Marriage is honorable above all and the bed is undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” I could go on and on but I want to help you deal with your sexual immorality and begin to submit yourself to a life of sexual integrity.
First, you must forsake all sexual immorality no matter what form it takes. In order to forsake it you must feel guilt and shame over your sexual immorality. You’ll never stop your indulgence unless you agree with God that it is wrong. Upon acknowledging the wrongness of it, confess (agree with God) all sexual sin, repent (forsake) and ask God to cleanse you from the sin(s). Ask Him to cleanse your body and mind, especially the fantasies of your lust. Then, forsake all environments that would revive those lusts. Don’t ever revisit those areas of your life again. One of my seminary professors said something I will never forget; “Never kiss a sin goodbye.” Be done with it.
After completing the above steps make a decision for sexual integrity. Commit yourself to a life of purity with your body and your mind. And, finally; “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:16&17.
