Defeating Adultery- TUESDAY

September 1, 2016

Defeating Adultery
by
Bryan Craig
 
TUESDAY- Play the Tape Forward
 
I hope I don't need to build a further case for the fact that Adultery and Fornication are WRONG, and that we, as men, must guard our hearts and minds against this epidemic marriage-destroyer.  God knows what we struggle with, for when He became the Son of Man in flesh, it says,
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin."  Hebrews 4:15 NIV   This says Jesus was tempted in EVERY way, which means He was even tempted in this area of lust.  He overcame it, and we can too!
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
 
I believe one of the ways God helps us stand up under temptation is the ability to see into the future.  Have you ever heard the phrase, "Play the Tape Forward"?  Whenever we are tempted, and we feel ourselves falling, we need to Play the Tape Forward.  We need to let our minds go beyond the immediate desire for satisfaction and consider what the repercussions will be for us and for our families.  You have to use a little imagination, but it's not difficult, for we've seen enough fallout from those who have stumbled before us.  It's not a pretty sight.  Solomon strongly warns us not to even go near the door of this temptation, and then he goes on to play the tape forward:
"Keep a path from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house.  At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.  You will say, 'How I hated discipline!  How my heart spurned correction!  I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors.  I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.'" Proverbs 5:8-14 NIV
 
King David, the famous adulterer, wished he would have played the tape forward when he made a decision to have an affair with Bathsheba. This is how it played out:
  • It led him down a darker path of having her husband, Uriah, murdered.  (2 Samuel 11)
  • It led to God's punishment of taking the life of his son. (2 Samuel 12)
  • It led to generational sin as his son, Amnon, raped his sister, Tamar. (2 Samuel 13)
  • It led to Absolom killing Amnon in revenge of the rape of Tamar. (2 Samuel 13)
Brothers, heed the warnings that God gives us in His Word and heed the warnings He is giving you by His Spirit.  He doesn't want to see you ruin your life.  Some of you are being tempted in this area right now or you may be in the middle of this sin.  Please stop!  Think about the consequences of your choices.  Let Him help you out of this temptation.
For another man's treasure You'd say anything But is one night of pleasure Worth the trouble you'll bring
 
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