I got SLAPPED in the face today.

I read another “DANG” verse in the Bible.  You might not like it either…

Luke 3:8 “Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God.”

The big question God is asking me today: how am I proving that I have turn from sin and turned to God?

This morning I deleted more than a few female friends from Facebook just because I don’t want their to be a hint, not even a temptation, for me to go ‘looking at their profiles’ (it’s called LUST, and God hates it).  I had to get really honest- that I was leaving that door open just enough for Satan to drive a wedge in.  NOT WORTH IT.  It’s just one of the ways that I’m proving that I hate sin and love God.

I’ve started to give to the poor (verse 11 actually talks about that one).  The actual poor.  Those who need water and food and clothes and Jesus.  It’s just one of the ways that I’m proving that I hate sin and love God.

I read and pray daily, meet with an accountability partner weekly, even though it’s RARELY convenient for me to do either!  It’s just one of the ways that I’m proving that I hate sin and love God.

Have you REALLY turned from your sins?  Have you REALLY turned to God?  Seriously, stop and actually be honest- what would Jesus actually say if He looked at your life? I suspect that many of us would give ourselves passing grades, not realizing how BLIND we are to what really matters.

Most of the time, we act like we don’t even care.

You name yours…

…Addicted to masturbating

…Always looking at porn

…Flirting with a dozen different girls

…Being absolutely addicted to video games, movies, or the internet

…Cutting corners and short-changing our integrity, being a little less than honest

…Questionable morals

…Lazy, apathetic, unwilling to change and grow

…Self-centred, egotistical,

…Having our dream as our idol, our goals as our gods.

…Living like we are the only thing that matters in life.

Luke 3 is talking about God separating the wheat from the chaff.  The diamonds from the dirt.  The saved from the unsaved.  AM I GOING TO MAKE THE CUT???

We have a major choice to make dudes- you can either reject God, live comfortably, and keep on sinning, or you can put your money where your mouth is and prove that you love God by the way you live.

So what is it going to be?  HOW is it going to be?

Today’s post is from PJ Wong, a youth pastor in Waterloo…he’s a good friend and a great writer…thanks PJ!

One of history’s characters that ways amuses me is Samson. We know this guy as a big tough guy who stayed away from alcohol and grew out dread and a beard and decided not to touch any dead bodies. If Samson were alive today, he’d look like this:

Although mighty in speech and deed, Samson did have one downfall—women. Samson loved his girls; especially those of foreign taste. Philistine women to Samson were kryptonite. The Bible gives a brilliant picture of Samson and how the Spirit of the Lord would continually fall on Samson to give him victory over the Philistines, but the first words out of his mouth destroy his credibility as a leader and judge of Israel: “I have seen a woman”.

From there, we know that Samson is doomed. Although he does many great things in the power of the Lord, he continues to fall into sin as glimpse dwells on thought, thought turns to touch and touch forms into a habit. Throughout what is recorded about this Nazarite (a person set apart for the work of YHWH), we observe Samson’s morality fall lower and lower.

Nearing the end of his life, he romances woman named Delilah (this is after his first wife is burned to death and after indulging in a slew of prostitutes). Knowing that the Philistine woman will bring trouble, Samson continues to stay in her company. Three times Samson obviously finds out that this woman is bad news as she tries to hand him over to the Philistines. But something is driving Samson to Delilah—and no, although it beating with blood, it’s got nothing to do with what is in his chest or skull.

Philistine attempt #4—Great Success…

Delilah and the Philistines subdue Samson by removing his deadlocks. The Nazarite is then taken away, made a spectacle of and then ultimately in one push ends up killing himself with the enemies which had captured and provoked him.

What can we learn from this foolish young man?

1. If you think you’re strong enough to beat pornography, sexual fantasy and sneak peeks at woman walking down the street on your own, think again. Single, married or engaged, this is going to be something you’ll have to fight against. Samson was set apart by God and still fell into temptation. Although his wishes to marry were of the Lord’s work, his first words are a give away of the trouble he was going to get into: “I’ve seen a woman”. Do yourself a favour: talk to a friend, get accountability, internet software, heck… even fess up to the boys at your church or youth group… just don’t admit in front of both the guys and girls… those always end up getting really awkward.

2. Although you may not be sleeping with prostitutes 3 times a week, internet porn is less expensive and easier to access—and it still doesn’t mean you’re not whoring yourself out to somebody else in the process. In today’s world, many young men who are set apart by God are trapped in a secret life where they flirt with danger, knowing the consequences but still choose to go deeper and deeper into a lifestyle that takes control of them. If you don’t believe me, try going a month without masturbating and looking at porn. I dare you!

3. God gives us a ton of warnings and lets us off easy… a lot… But by continuing to go this way, you’re only setting yourself up for disaster. 3 times, Samson has the choice to walk away from Delilah. She even blatantly asks how he can be subdued by his enemies! How stupid do you have to be?

Ironically, the first thing that the Philistines do when they have Samson: gouge out the eyes of the perverted sod! He’s seen and done enough for his day!

But how many times has God smacked you over the head saying “this is going to mess you up!”? Eventually, your sins will find you out. In the words of the late Johnny Cash “sooner or later God’ll cut you down”. But for now, He’s hoping it wont get that far. It’s your choice…

It’s up to you. Are you going to walk away from internet porn and sexual fantasy?

Or are you going to keep looking, flirting and rolling in the mess you’ve made until something or someone cuts you down?

Are you going to be a pansy and fall into a trap that will hold you well into your old age?

Or will you fess up and do what it takes to stop in order to save yourself from ruining your life?

(trust me, a 40 year old addicted to porn will tell you that it is ruining his marriage and if the secret gets out, will ruin his personal and work life)

I challenge you to be a true Nazarite—set apart for God’s work, choosing to keep yourself away from what is going to take you out!

Keep it fresh and clean!

-PJ

Three things I am hopping mad/completely frustrated about today:

1. Too many guys are looking at porn, and next to no one has any accountability on it.  What the heck is up with that?

2. Right now I know SO MANY godly, gorgeous, intelligence, people-loving, Jesus-serving girls who’s hearts are breaking because they can’t find/aren’t being pursued by equally awesome dudes.  Where are all the godly single men?!

3. I had a conversation over wings last night with some friends.  Eric voiced our collective frustration- we’ve got all the plans and maybe even some of the equipment, but we aren’t where we want to be.  How do we change this?!

SO…which of the three is you right now?  What can you do to change this?  What can you do to make me God happy?

One thing I am happy about today: God changes people.  Even dudes like us.

You can cheat on your wife with things other than another woman.

You can cheat on her with video games.  Movies.  Internet.  Porn.  Work.  Booze.  Your car.  Sports.  Friends.

You unmarried guys aren’t free on this one- you can cheat on your future wife- with your present girlfriend.

Don’t cheat. Stay faithful.  She is worth it.  Give her your BEST.  Give her your FIRST.  Give her your ALL.

Because your marriage (or future marriage) is a picture of God’s love for the us.  Stopping throwing crap on it.

Does anyone else LOVE Gold Bond?!

I remember the first time I used this wonderful powder.  I was at Joy Bible Camp up in Bancroft, and two dudes in my cabin named Darcy and Tim told me I had to try it.

This is how they described it- “It’s like a million tiny angels blowing on your testicles.“  Theirs words, not mine!  Of course, how could I resist such a heavenly offer?

Sure enough, it was true to their word and didn’t let me down for a minute.  I swear by the stuff.  It saved me from some serious chaffing when I was in Honduras.  It keeps me dry and comfortable on hot summer days.

But it no longer feels as good as it did the first time.  No more tiny angels.  No more tingles.  No more cooling sensation.  I had become desensitized.

I remember the first time I ever saw porn on TV.  It was while babysitting.  The kid had gone to bed and I was watching the NBA All-Star Game.  The feed suddenly switched to Playboy somehow.

I remember feeling so guilty. I remember looking out the window every two minutes.  I remember it tore me apart with guilt for weeks after.

But then something happened- the more I looked at porn, the less guilt I felt.  The more I become okay with it. Accustomed to it.  Okay with it.  I had become desensitized.

It’s called ‘the dulling of the Spirit.‘  If we choose to live in sin, we’re purposely ignoring what God is trying to say to us.  It breaks His heart.  It ruins your life.  Don’t desensitize yourself to the Spirit of God.

Live a life in close connection with God.  Choose to be a man who conquers his addictions by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Be a man who walks with Jesus.