According to a 2011 study, nine millions Americans struggle with sexual addiction. Some of the affected are former victims of abuse, rape or were exposed to pornography early in life. Depending upon the degree or severity of these addictions, it’s clear that someone needs to be the hands and feet of Jesus to help the oppressed.
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body, 1 Corinthians 6:18.
While all addictions should be taken seriously, sexually immorality is different, causing individuals to sin against their own body. Like any temptation in life, the more you indulge by giving in, the harder it becomes to stop. Thus, anyone who loses control by engaging in sexual addiction becomes held hostage by lust, unable to resist time after time.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death, James 1:13-15.
The context of the passage above uses a fishing illustration. A good fisherman knows where the fish are and how to lure their out of hiding. In the same way, Satan knows your weakness and how to entice you to take the bait until you are hooked on sin. In view of this reality, three things must change to help the oppressed. First, any addict must purge themselves from the environment that leads to sin. Second, you must admit and confess publicly that you have a problem. Finally, you need to find an accountability partner to insure that a relapse does not occur.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another, Proverbs 27:17.
After graduating college, I met a friend in Ohio who was seduced by his baby sister when he was twelve. Following a young adult Bible Study one night, we began to open up to each other about our current spiritual struggles. In the next few weeks, deep conversations continued without any spiritual healing. Frustrated by a lack of progress, the two of us agreed to enter into an accountability relationship, meeting weekly at a restaurant. This wasn’t easy as topics like masturbation, pornography and sexual immorality were brought up. However, if you want to be completely healed from any type of addiction, tough love is essential. Therefore, if you want to help someone you know who is oppressed, make an effort to connect weekly so that the path toward healing may begin.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 