“Brother, you gotta remember that your body is like a holy temple for God. You gotta treat it right!” I’ll never forget the seriously candid wisdom a mentor dropped on me regarding sexual immorality.
He made it clear that the Bible lays down some straightforward guidelines about purity, staying faithful, and respecting the sanctity of marriage. Even though he told me this when I was a teenager, his advice has stuck with me, helping me make wiser choices and giving me a better perspective on how to live as a guy who wants to do right by God.
Today, I’m a husband and a father. The older I get, the more grateful I am for the insight he gave me on sexual immorality in the bible. Especially because young men are uniquely challenged in the area of purity. And now, I’m a dad who needs to create disciples through my kids.
As fathers, one of our most significant responsibilities is guiding our children to live according to the principles found in the Bible. One area that can be incredibly challenging to address is sexual immorality in the Bible. Let’s just get into it.
What is sexual immorality in the Bible?
Sexual immorality in the Bible covers a scope of behaviors that violate God’s standards for sexual activity. It includes actions like adultery (Exodus 20:14), fornication (1 Corinthians 6:18), homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22), incest (1 Corinthians 5:1), bestiality (Exodus 22:19), and even lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:28). The Bible aims to guide you and me towards purity, fidelity, and honoring the sanctity of marriage.
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:28
Be aware of sexual immorality in today’s world
With the influence of social media, a changing world, and peer pressures, it’s crucial for us as dads to understand what sexual immorality in the Bible means for our children today. First, we must be aware of the deadly sin of lust and how it can creep into our family’s lives. As the leaders of our home, we dads must be the first line of defense against sexual immorality.
One of the most significant challenges our kids encounter is the temptation presented by the internet. Explicit content is just a click away. Occasionally, I’ll watch a bible message on YouTube with our twins, and I notice how easily they can stumble upon explicit websites and images. As dads living at the height of the internet norm, it’s vital to establish open lines of communication with our children about responsible internet usage. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts, including what we expose ourselves to online.
Navigate honest communication
I’ll never forget the time I had coffee with my mentor. He had this friendly grin as he talked about his own experiences with faith and how chatting openly about sexual immorality in the Bible had changed his whole perspective. It made me realize just how crucial open talks like that can be.
I knew it then and know it now – effective guidance comes with open and honest communication. I aim to make my kids feel comfortable coming to my wife and me with their questions and concerns about relationships, sexuality, and their challenges. Proverbs 3:21-22 reminds us to keep sound wisdom and discretion, which we can impart through open dialogue. This is a massive part of the key to raising our kids to follow God. Let’s not miss it.
Remember, peer pressure is real
Peer pressure? Yeah, it’s as real as it gets, and I’ve felt its weight firsthand. It’s that sensation when your buddies push you to do something that doesn’t sit right with your values. I’ve seen how it can make you question your choices.
Our children often face immense peer pressure when it comes to relationships and sexual experiences. Things their friends encourage them to do might clash with biblical principles, making it tough for them to stay on the right path. To address this, we can encourage our children to stand firm in their faith, just as 1 Corinthians 15:33 advises. We should guide them toward friendships with those who share their values and beliefs by asking God for guidance, avoiding our attempt at Utopia.
Additionally, the way sex education is presented in many schools may only give biological knowledge, possibly causing curiosity between them and their peers. This is where we, as dads, step in to provide our children with the biblical and spiritual perspective on sexuality. We can teach them about purity (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5), consent, and the significance of waiting until marriage for sexual activity. Equip them with knowledge with resources like Manhood Journey’s Clean Hearts Guide, allowing them to have footing for what the Bible says about sexual immorality.
The coaches of our kids’ lives
In a world where sexual immorality in the Bible can easily be mixed up or dismissed. Dads play a vital role in guiding our children towards God’s plan for purity and fidelity.
Remember, as dads, we’re like the coaches of our kids’ lives. Armed with the wisdom of Scripture, we can guide them through this maze of sexual immorality. Let’s just keep it real and help our kids stay on the right track. Help them ask God for help the whole way through. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s one that is worth it.
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