Behaviors
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6:9-10 (NIV)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6:9-10 (KJV)
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV)
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. Revelation 21:8 (NIV)
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8 (KJV)
We all have engaged in destructive, sinful behavior. We must take stock of those behaviors. We must be honest about how and what we have engaged in. We must complete this inventory in order to be ready for the next part of growing towards spiritual maturity. Please, make this list as exhaustive as you can, being as honest as you know how to be. Ask the Lord to help you to be honest in all these areas.
We are going to divide this portion into small steps for the sake of time. I want you to very carefully look at the above passages. Now, I am not one who goes around spreading doom and gloom and those of you who know me, know that. However, these verses are very specific that the people who live these lifestyles will NOT inherit the kingdom of God. Now, as a believer, one must carefully examine the lifestyle one leads. Here is where we really begin to look at lifestyle behaviors, attitudes and feelings. All things must be brought under the Spirit’s control. Let us embark on this leg of the journey together.
Sexual behavior
I bet many of you were hoping that we would not have to go here. However, we must take an inventory of the areas we are out of God’s will and find the areas where we are in God’s will.
List everyone you have ever engaged in any sexual behavior with, the circumstances, how it harmed you or them if it was outside the guidelines given in scripture for sexual behavior, and how those circumstances have affected your life and attitude towards sex. This is why it is important that you use as your Paul a person of the same gender as yourself. Man to man in counsel and woman to woman, according to scripture.
Now, other than sex as listed before, describe your attitudes and behaviors as directed towards those of the opposite sex. Include things here such as flirtatious behaviors, demeaning behaviors, demands, using sex to control others, withholding sex from a spouse, inappropriate sexual advances made upon children and adults, and all such things as those.
List the times that you have maintained sexual purity and shown appropriate behaviors, actions and attitudes towards those of the opposite sex and even those of the same sex.
Describe your attitudes, actions and feelings when your sexual advances towards others have been rejected.
Describe your attitudes, actions, and feelings when you have rejected sexual advances.
Have you, or do you currently, engage in sexual behavior with members of the same sex? Look closely at the passages above. Homosexuality is forbidden in scripture. It plainly states that these shall not inherit the kingdom of God. List any areas in which you have engaged in homosexuality, how it has harmed you or others, your attitudes, actions, and feelings.
Have you, or do you currently, engage in sexual behavior outside of marriage? This, too, is forbidden in scripture. Jesus said that to look after a woman with lust makes one guilty of adultery. Scripture states that those who commit adultery shall not inherit the kingdom of God. In what ways have you committed adultery against your spouse? List here you actions, attitudes, and feelings that have led to this behavior and have stemmed from this behavior. Include here any involvement with pornography or other “aids” for sexual satisfaction.
Father, this is a very sensitive topic and I do not desire to bring any harm upon any one. However, Lord, I must speak boldly the truth found in scripture. Father, for the sake of the name of Jesus, let each one be honest about their sexual behaviors. Father, in Jesus name lead each one to the right person to talk this over with, leading them to one who is able to be open and honest, one of the same sex as the person, and who will lead them and guide them according to your word. Father, show each one where they are both in your will and out of your will in the sexuality. In Jesus name, shelter each one, protect, lead, guide and draw them to you, amen.
