June Hunt on Sexual Integrity: “Balancing Passion with Purity”

February 2016

Late one night, a 23-year-old student called our Hope In The Night radio program and confessed he was thinking about quitting pastoral training because of his battle with sexual temptation. He didn’t feel strong enough to resist sexual sin and believed he needed to abandon the call of God on his life rather than be hypocritical.

Centuries earlier, another young man waged a similar battle. This man had it all … the knowledge of God, the blessing of God, and the call of God. He had every opportunity to live an exemplary life and to be a hero throughout the annals of history.

His parents provided a strong spiritual environment. They recognized his God-given abilities and knew he was destined to be a leader. But in spite of his impressive advantage, moral failure caused his downfall.

If only he had withstood the test of integrity. How different his life could have been had he refused the lure of lust! But instead of obedience, Samson chose disobedience. Instead of self-denial, he chose self indulgence. Instead of decency, he chose Delilah.

When faced with the “Delilah Dilemma,” he chose to please his temptress instead of God. He chose instant gratification rather than delayed gratification. Ultimately, he lost not only his physical sight but also his spiritual insight.

Integrity in Today’s World

Today the condition in our culture is the same. We want what we want and we want it now! Admittedly, sexual compromise isn’t new. For thousands of years it’s been practiced around the world. But today there’s one main difference: The majority accepts instant gratification as normal behavior … including some who call themselves Christians.

Our attitude toward sexual integrity stems from something deeper than basic human desire. It’s related to our culture’s belief system about morality. While most say they believe the Bible “contains” God’s Word, millions no longer accept biblical moral truth as absolute truth. This flawed belief has left many without moral boundaries to guide their behavior. They are left without a rudder in the sea of life … pressed by prevailing social winds and making choices based solely on which way the wind is blowing.

Without a moral compass to guide us, we will continue to move in the direction of moral compromise, resulting in lifelong consequences—broken values, broken families, broken churches—producing a broken culture. However, strong families can help mold the belief system of their children. Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles can play an essential mentoring role in the lives of children whose hearts and minds are moldable. You and I are to be living examples of God’s moral code for those dear to us.

Integrity means living a whole, undivided life—one void of hypocrisy. It’s been said that integrity is being the same in the dark as you are in the light. But sexual integrity means consistently living according to God’s highest moral standards, guarding our mind, will, and emotions from sexual impurity. The Bible makes it clear, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but  whoever takes crooked paths will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9). But how do we maintain integrity? Consider this acrostic on the word integrity:

• Invite others to walk the road of sexual integrity with you. Share your struggle with a wise friend or mentor. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)
• Never put yourself or your loved one in a tempting situation. Know your triggers (what is sexually tempting to you) and make decisions to avoid those triggers. (Proverbs 6:27)
• Trust God to meet your need for love. (Jeremiah 31:3)
• Enjoy others instead of using others. (Romans 12:9–10)
• Give yourself only to sexual intimacy within marriage. (Hebrews 13:4)
• Refuse to justify any sexual impurity. Honestly face any sexual sin in your life and commit to being a person of purity. (Matthew 26:41)
• Isolate from people who tempt you. State your commitment: “I will not be alone with any person who sexually tempts me.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
• Transform your mind through the Word of God. Find Scriptures focused on your area of struggle and then ask God to reprogram your mind. (Psalm 119:11)
• Yield to Christ, who lives in you. Don’t be lulled into false confidence in your own ability to withstand temptation. (Galatians 2:20)

What led Samson into a life of moral failure? While he relied on God for his physical strength, he failed to rely on God for his moral strength. Samson assumed that God would continue to give him extraordinary strength regardless of his disobedience. His story reminds me of one of the most striking word pictures in the Bible. Proverbs 6:27 cautions … “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?” Ouch!

Are you grappling with instant gratification? Do you feel defeated by irresistible desires? Integrity begins in your heart. Only through God’s power will you have purity of heart. Only through His power will your integrity endure. With God, you can do this! Psalm 41:12 says … “Because of my integrity you uphold me.”

Yours in the Lord’s peace,

June Hunt

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.