How Far God Has Gone to Prevent Immorality
By: Bruce Wilkinson
Introduction
I'll never forget the lesson of ownership that painting contractor once taught a close friend of mine who was a
large building developer. He had worked for my friend for nearly twenty years and had been the boss of nearly a
dozen painters who all worked for him on the various building projects. One day my friend told this lead painter
that he wanted to set him up in business--still giving him all the current work but for a flat fee, so that he
could set up his own little painting company. The man was thrilled as it would be a wonderful opportunity to start
his own business with minimal risks.
The next week the building contractor visited one of his construction sights and saw his old lead painter. After
a few moments of small talk, the contractor asked about "good ole Bill" whereas the lead painter said,
"Bill's no longer with us". "What happened?!" asked the contractor? "Well", replied
this new owner, "neither Bill nor John are in my new company".
Still in disbelief, the contractor asked what happened--weren't these two men good painters to which the new boss
said, "Well, they were good enough when they worked for you, but they weren't good enough now that they worked
for me"!
Shock! Ever heard yourself say, "Why, if I were the boss of this company--if I owned this place, I'd make
a ton of changes--yesterday"! Why is that so often the truth? When ownership is in our hands, we immediately
would do things differently. That's because when that company is managed to meet our needs and desires, we would
inevitably manage it differently than the person we worked for.
Now, let me ask a very crass but provoking question" Let's say that God came into your room right at this
instant and brought you and your wife together and said, "I know that both of your sexual needs aren't being
met or satisfied the way you wished--so I hereby give your wife's body to you to enjoy to fulfill your sexual needs
and also give your body to your wife for her to enjoy to fulfill her sexual needs. I'm taking your authority away
from you over your own body--because you are living like you owned your body and only give it to each other begrudgingly
or too seldom. Whenever you desire sex, you have the full rights and privileges of full authority over your spouse's
body to fulfill those needs and wishes".
Your mouth would probably drop open in disbelief as you heard God's instructions. But then what if He continued
with the words: "I only have two additional comments. First, whenever your partner comes to you for sexual
affection, you must treat the other person with consideration, kindness, gentleness, and love. Second, since I
have created you with strong and regular desires for sex, please feel free to have sex as often as you desire it.
When you have sexual temptations, make sure you fulfill them with each other--and enjoy the pleasure that I have
intricately linked to sexual intimacy--it's one of My most special gifts to you". How would you feel? And
if your wife's body became yours to enjoy within the boundaries of affection, would you do anything differently?
What the Bible teaches
Guess what? God read your mind, knows your drives, and literally gave you the body of your wife! When you said
those marital vows, the authority of your body was given to you. Want proof?
" Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own
body, but the wife." 1 Corinthians 7:3-4
This is a remarkable revelation form the heart of God isn't it? Who would have ever known that god felt so
strongly about the sexual intimacy issue? Who would have ever dreamt that God felt so very strongly about our sexual
drives that He literally gave us "authority" over our spouses body? Why would God go to such extreme
except to fully provide an acceptable and proper and pleasing solution for a drive He created?
It's Up To You
Don't miss the idea that your sexual drives should be met in such a way that they are satisfied--as Proverbs 5:19
says, that you are to "let her breasts satisfy you at all times". Note that the "breasts" are
the agent of "satisfaction" in this verse. Certainly our emotions and love and heart are involved, but
in the fulfillment of the sexual drive, it is the need for sexual intimacy that desires to be satisfied. Likewise,
we can feel great love and affection and appreciation for our wife cooking our meals, but the real issue of dinner?
To eat food! The real issue of sexual intimacy? To experience sexual relations. Is it the will of God to be "satisfied"
sexually? Absolutely! Is it wrong to seek sexual satisfaction? Absolutely not! Should you feel guilty that you
become aware that you are "sexually hungry"? Absolutely not! Should you be inconsiderate in the fulfillment
of the hunger? Of course not. No more than you eat food every time you feel hungry. There's a time and a place
for everything.
The second observation from Proverbs 5:19 "let her breasts satisfy you at all times" is the frequency
of "at all times". But, more surprising revelation about that next time. By the way, are you obeying
the will of God: Is your wife's breasts satisfying you at all times? Why not?
Morning Bible reading:
1 Corinthians 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have
her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence (affection): and likewise also the wife
unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath
not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time ,
that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Morning Prayer
Dear Compassionate Father,
"Though the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His comparisons fail not. They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness!" Lord, you are so very faithful and compassionate to me regarding my human needs.
You promise to meet all my needs including food and clothing and even something as personal as my own sexual needs.
Lord, I bless your name for being so tender-minded toward me!
Thank you for giving me such a wonderful wife! Thank you that she is Your provision in so many ways including
my sexual life. Lord, I relinquish the authority over my body to my wife and hereby pledge to meet her needs with
affection. Lord, help me to be honest and tender with my wife regarding my sexual needs. Give me grace!
Afternoon Bible reading
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to posses his vessel in sanctification and honor; 5 Not in the lust of
concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any
matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God
hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto his holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but
God, who hath also given unto his holy Spirit.
Afternoon Prayer
Oh, Pure One of Glory,
With head bowed before Your Holy and Pure Presence, I humble myself this day. You know too much about me, Lord,
and I am unable to hide from Your all-searching eyes. I am unclean. You know the lusts of my heart. You know the
past actions of immorality. You have seen what I have seen. you have gone where I have gone. You have always been
aware of what I have secretly thought.
Oh Lord, I confess the sexual sins of my life. I hide not these acts and thoughts from you any longer. Sexual
uncleanness, hidden lusts, private acts of impurity, affairs of the mind and body. Oh Lord, what I have seen with
my eyes so saddens and grieves Your Holy Spirit. I confess! I repent. Cleanse me from wickedness and lead me in
the paths of holiness. In the holy name of Jesus.
Evening Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 6:13b Now the body is is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 18 Flee
fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that commiteth fornication sinneth against
his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have
of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in
your spirit, which are God's.
Evening Prayer
Oh Intimate Friend, Closer than a Brother,
How can I face the truth about your holy Presence in my unholy life? To think, oh Lord, that you not only desire
to be close to me because you love me, but you dwell in my very body-as your temple. Cleanse my body, oh Holy Father,
from all iniquity. Forgive all my unholiness. make my heart your home of holiness.
To think, Lord, that you died for me. You-no one else but You. Through Your blood You purchased me. Not just
my spirit, not just my soul, but my very body. You invested your blood for my body. It's no longer mine but Yours.
Oh Lord, I take my hands off your possession-and welcome You into the inner chambers. Please make my body to be
a pleasure for Your Spirit to inhabit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
