SATAN’S TRAPS: SEXUAL SINS (2 of 5)

Satan’s trap of “Sexual sins” (2 of 5)

Sex, in and of itself, is not a sin,
however, when God’s boundaries
are exceeded by man, it becomes a sin.
God is very clear about His guidelines for sex.

It is one of the many gifts He has given to mankind,
…but with certain boundaries, and certain guidelines
(it is to be enjoyed by two people – husband and wife).
Not two men, not two women,
but a man and a woman (a husband and wife).

Within God’s boundaries, sex is a good thing.
In the world, God’s gift is often practiced
wrongly and is driven by a selfish desire
rather than out of a love for the other person.

Why do so many people exceed God’s
boundaries and guidelines for His gift?
The short answer is, mankind has a natural tendency
and attraction to sin, and to abuse the good things
God has given us (especially when they do not
have an intimate relationship with the Lord).

With that said, there are possibly some additional
contributing factors which lead to sinful actions.
Here are 8 possible causes to consider.

POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR SEXUAL SIN

1. A need for intimacy.
     – This is a legitimate need when you are husband and wife.
     – Too many people look for someone else to fill the need
        for intimacy outside the bounds of marriage.
     – God’s desire is for us to have an intimate relationship
        with Him (we talk to Him; we listen to Him;
        we share our heart with Him; He forgives us).
        Note:
             The intimate relationship of a husband and wife,
             is a picture of the type of relationship He wants
             us to have with Him (obviously it does not include
             the physical, but it is a spiritual and emotional intimacy).
     – Those who think sex will fulfill their need for intimacy,
        will discover they were wrong, and the desire will remain.

2. A need for acceptance.
     – People step out of line because:
             – They’ve been rejected.
             – They’ve been hurt.
             – They’ve been divorced.
             – They were jilted at some point in their life.
             – They never felt accepted by their parents.
             – They’ve never been accepted by their peers.
            Note:
                 They just want acceptance
                  (even if only for a short time).
                  Note:
                        If someone thinks that going to bed with someone
                        will make them feel accepted, they will never feel
                        accepted (because that’s not how God made us).

3. A sense of fulfillment.
     – Sex will not provide complete fulfillment,
        because God didn’t give it to us for that reason.
     – Our fulfillment comes from a relationship
        which is Godly and wholesome.

4. Motivated by a desire to conquer.
     – Sometimes a person is angry with someone of
        at the opposite sex, and they want to conquer them.
     – One way to conquer is through sex…because
        the other person has to give themselves away
        (at least for a moment).

5. A matter of getting even.
     – If a husband or wife knows (or feels) their spouse
        has been unfaithful, they can have a desire to get even,
        so they seek to have an experience with someone else).
        Note:
             This kills the joy and love in a relationship.
              It can become a situation where each one is
              continually trying to get even with the other.

6. A need to build one’s self-esteem.
     – “I may not be as pretty as others”,
        “I may not be as popular as others”,
        “I may not be as successful as others”,
        “But, if I have sex with someone,
          then they will think I’m important”.
     Note:
           This is a deceptive lie Satan plants in our mind.
           The truth is, it will have an opposite effect on us.
           At some point, we will realize we are just being
           used for the gratification of someone else, and
           it has nothing to do with fulfilling our own needs.
     Note:
           No matter how much illicit sex a person has,
           they will always be searching, until they have
           a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
           (that’s why some go to bed with
            one after another after another).
            Question:
             If sex brings fulfillment,
             then why don’t we see the results?
                  – Because it is not the will of God;
                     it is not within the plan of God.
            Question:
             Is sex evil?
                  – No.
                    Question:
                     Is it practiced in an evil (sinful) manner?
                          – Yes it is.

7. A desire for control.
     – Sex can be used in a controlling manner.
     – In a marriage, sex should not be used to persuade,
        control, defeat, or punish the other person
        …that is out of the will of God.
        Note:
              The scriptures say that sex used
               in this manner is a sin against God.
               Question;
                Why?
                     – Because He didn’t give it to us
                        to be used in this manner.

8. A financial need.
     – That’s what prostitution is all about.
     – It might be a way to put food on the table,
        but most often it is driven by greed,
        or to support a habit.
     Question:
     How many prostitutes have joy, peace,
     happiness, and feel accepted?
          – More than likely, many of them
             feel very used (and abused).
             Note:
                    It may have paid off at the time, but then they have
                    to live with themselves and what they have done.
                    Sometimes they also have to live with a disease
                    as a result of their actions (some which could be fatal).