via TJC
[Note: This week we present our Daily Battle Orders as letters written from different members of the Corinth church in the 1st Century.]
Dear Friend,
“For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” [1Cor 6:20].
Don’t you just hate it when people start a sentence in midsentence? Yes, Paul said that in his letter, but let me back up by picking up Paul’s preceding comments so you will understand why I am writing you:
“Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin that a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” [1Cor 6:18-19].
Now, you get the full picture. I need to confront you about some of the things you are doing. When we come into the body of Christ, our body belongs to Jesus. Most of us men don’t think much about that. We think we can do anything we want with our body, as long as we say we love Jesus and go to church. Nope! That’s not the deal.
We are to honor God with it. Why? Because the price paid for it: the death of His Beloved Son. We are His now. We are His temple, a place of worship, a holy place. You shouldn’t do any with your body that you wouldn’t do in church (not including marital relations). Looking at porn? [Porn did exist in Ancient times.] No way! Gratifying yourself (you know what I mean)? No!
We should live holy lives, set apart, sanctified! Do you get it? We are literally God’s house where His Spirit dwells. Consider these words, then contact me. No man is to fight this battle alone.
Your Faithful Friend in Christ
Daily Battle Order:
If received today, how would you reply to the above letter? Below are steps a brother recently wrote that he is taking.
Your Battle Order for today: Consider the personal steps that you will take, then discuss with a faithful brother.
Steps a brother recently wrote:
* Amputation: Removal of internet off my phone with my wife in control of the access settings.
* Memorize Scripture: Effort to commit Malachi 2:16 to memory. Placing Scripture memory index cards on top of my toilet tanks
* Worship: Worshiping the Lord in music daily, but particularly when my wife left the house
* Allies: Sustaining regular connect with several key Allies of mine weekly, even if through simple, concise text messaging
*Preach the Gospel to Myself Daily: Letting go of the shame I held being a married father still battling this.
* Warfare Praying: A commitment verbalized to my wife every night after we pray: “I was faithful to you today, and I will be faithful to you tomorrow.” Further realization that everyday is a battle, and I need to be focused, alert, sober-minded, anticipating an ambush of temptation at any moment.
These Spirit-inspired actions have quickly changed my life.
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