Daily Reflections on Lev. 18 (Straight Talk on Sex)

Sex. God's for it. In fact, God invented it. He created Eve especially equipped for Adam. One of God's first commands, after He kicked them out of the Garden of Eden, was to be fruitful and multiply. Of all God's commands, that has to be my favorite. I'll do my best God.

Sex is a natural part of the human experience. God gave it as gift. Just like any gift, used in its intended purpose will bring long lasting joy and satisfaction. But if you abuse a gift or misuse a gift and it will likely become an object of disappointment or can even harm you. Eventually, a gift, not used in proper fashion, can breakdown and become worthless to us.

God gives His people some straight talk on sex in Leviticus 18. He is adamant on how not to use this gift He gave. If you read through the list, God talks about incest, bestiality, adultery and homosexuality as not only inappropriate behavior, but as detestable, perverse, profane, wicked and dishonoring. God is clear on this subject. He even tells the Israelites to cut off those who practice these things from their midst. He tells them, that these were common practices both in Egypt and the land He was giving them, but they are not to observe them. He calls them evil and says that's why the land was "vomiting" them out. He goes on to say that if they accept these practices as common place, the land will vomit them out too.

Vomit is a strong word. And notice, as you read the text, that God says the LAND will vomit them out. In other words, the territory itself is sickened by this evil and can't stand it. That's pretty amazing. It reminds me of when Cain killed Abel in Genesis and the ground cried out. Or in Romans 8, when Paul says all of creation groans for redemption. Apparently, our inappropriate sexual behavior affects creation itself. Vileness leads to destruction.

If you have ever been in a work environment where there are a lot of unethical or negative practices transpire, you can almost sense it the moment you walk onto the property. It's like you can feel it in the air. You know that something is not right. A culture that practices sexual misconduct, creates a negative air.

If you think about God's instruction about sex, it really only makes sense. If you want a stable society and family atmosphere, following these teachings on sex will give you that. Jealously, rage, birth defects, venereal disease, divorce are minimized. Self-control, discipline, security, respect are highlighted. Without reciting a long list of virtues from such a society which follows God's teaching on sex, it seems to me that following God's practices leads to a much healthier environment.

God, most of the teachings here on inappropriate sexual behavior are easy for me to agree with you on. I can't imagine some of the practices you describe. Some of them, however, I see as common practices in our society. Keep me pure. Shield me from any sexual temptation. Guard my heart. Guard my family. Don't allow me to minimize the sexual sin and practices of the world around me.

Daily Reflections on Rev. 2:18-25 (Sexual Revolution or Sexual Malaise)

They called it the Sexual Revolution in the late 60's and early 70's. "Make love, not war," was a common phrase. Communes developed around the country. "It's time to be from your sexual inhibitions." Today the sexual revolution has turned into the sexual malaise. We are bombarded daily by sexual overtones and innuendos wherever we go.

We hear that sex sells. My question, what does sex have to do with car insurance? I've heard of some strange fetishes, but car insurance? Ads, TV, movies, magazines promote their product with sex. It's hard to find a TV show that doesn't incorporate sex as a major component.

Casual sex, free sex, friends with benefits have become a normal part of today's culture. Pornography has taken over the internet. Even with my spam filters set on high, my email inbox fills up with offers for Viagra or Cialis on a daily basis. It's almost impossible to get away fro the sexual onslaught. CBS photoshopped promo shots of Katie Couric to make her look thinner and more shapely in her run up to taking the evening anchor desk. And would somebody please buy Brittany Spears some underwear.

The message is, "If you're not having sex, you're not normal." What saddens me is that we, as followers of Christ, have accepted that message and allowed this infectious preoccupation with sex to flow into the church as something normal. It's like we expect our teens and young adults to be sexually active. Abortions, STDs, pornography addictions, divorces, child sexual abuse cases are at an all time high in the US. Teachers having sex with students are weekly stories on the news. Birth control is being handed out in some schools to 11 year olds.

Where's the the church in this? The misuse of sex is destroying our society. The might Roman Empire was brought down in part by their sexual immorality and sexual addiction. The US is quickly headed in that direction without a voice that heralds the warning. Unfortunately, the church of America draws a striking resemblance to the church of Thyatira in Revelation, chapter 2. Our culture needs to hear teaching about healthy sex, healthy relationships and healthy marriages. The bed of suffering is quickly coming. The time for changing our thinking to God's way of thinking is now. Since God invented sex, He might have a thing or two to say that would be worth listening and adhering.

God, the sexual inundation of our culture affects me. I know I'm being desensitized. My barriers are lowered to what I allow myself to watch and accept. Help me to resist in this area of spiritual attack. Help me have the wisdom and courage to hold up your truths in this area of life. Protect me, my wife, my daughters, my church from this destructive assailant.