346-Be Mature (Surrender Your Sexuality to God's Design)

When God said, "Let there be light," something amazing happened.  When I said, "Let there be light," ummm... well... I felt silly and 0 things, amazing or not, happened.   I guess I'm just not God. Which is surprising?    No, it's not.  But, the world thinks we get to decide who God is.  Unfortunately, too many Christians feel that way, too.    It's tragic.  God is not us.  And we don't get to live by feelings.  We don't get to say, "Today I feel x, so it must be true."   A follower of Jesus -- surrendered -- taking up his/her cross -- dying to his/herself -- is not led by his/her feelings.  Feelings of right and wrong... Feelings of attraction or non-attraction (to spouse or many types of others...) Feelings of desire for sexual intimacy... Feelings of pleasure in sex...    Does this mean as a follower of Jesus you have to do things you don't want to do?  ... Ummm... ... Yes.   Does it mean that you have to do what the Bible says? ... Ummm... ... Yes.   Are there things I don't LIKE that the Bible says? Yes.    Am I the one who said "Let there be light," and something happened?  No.    So, I get to humbly submit to the God and author of ALL and say "You're smarter, You're wiser, Your ways are better, and I'm going to submit my will/feelings/desires to You". My sexuality included.    "No one should say God is tempting me... but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death... [God] does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth."   So, stop asking, "Why am I tempted?" Or, "Why don't I have desire for my spouse?" Or, "Why don't I enjoy sex?" And instead, embrace the cross of Christ. Deny yourself. And decide this IS God's best for You.  The surrendered Christian's questions become: "How do I do this Your way?" "How do I have desire for my spouse?" "How do I love MY spouse the way You created them?" "How do I enjoy and find pleasure in the sexual intimacy You designed and ordained and said I should not withhold?"   Yes -- sexual intimacy is a spiritual battle. Do you surrender all to Jesus? Or are you still self-surrendered? Self-guided? Self-centered?   I pray that this would be as convicting to you as it is to me. May you listen and feel God calling you to greater repentance, depth, love, and worship of Him. Love,  Belah   PS -- We'd love to partner with you in this. God doesn't ask us to do any of this alone. We love helping people into joy in sexual intimacy and marriage at every level in every area. Get on a call with a Clarity Advisor to see if you'd be the right fit for us to help you in this vital part of life. delightyourmarriage.com/cc