21 Days of Prayer: Day 11

 Author: Micah Hutchison

Day 11: Wrong Belief Leads to Wrong Practices

 

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭(ESV)

“But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.”

Wrong belief leads to wrong practices. Rejection of truth doesn’t just lead to beliefs in something false but also to actions that are sinful. Truth matters. What God’s Word teaches us about human sexuality is essential for us to understand and hold onto.

 

What is the opposite of sexual immorality? Think about it as “holy sexuality.”

“Holy sexuality consists of two paths: chastity in singleness and faithfulness in marriage. Chastity is more than simply abstention from extramarital sex; it conveys purity and holiness. Faithfulness is more than merely maintaining chastity and avoiding illicit sex; it conveys covenantal commitment.” (Christopher Yuan, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel).

 

Read the following verse and pray about its implications:

Ephesians 5:1-3‬ ‭‭(ESV‬)

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints."

We are called to reject not only false teachings about sex but also false actions. In fact, this verse is essentially saying, “don’t even let there be a hint about sexual immorality among you.” Take some time to ask God to search your heart in this regard. Confess before him any areas where you’ve engaged in sex that is out of bounds (see “holy sexuality” above). Also, ask yourself this dangerous question: are there hints of sexual immorality that I’m celebrating in what I see, say, or do?

Sample Prayer

“Lord Jesus, help me to imitate you and to walk in love. Help me to realize I represent you in my relationships at home, school, work, or with friends. When it comes to my sexuality, lead me toward holiness. I confess that I have______________. Please help me to see others as you do and to know your love in ways that challenge me to walk more closely with you.”