For this is the will of God, your
sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of
you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor…” -1Thess 4:3-4 (NKJV)
I was at a
men’s conference this past weekend. One
of the topics a pastor spoke about was the title of this blog: “Possess Your
Vessel”. Now, I really don’t think I
need to go into detail of what that phrase means for us men, it should be
pretty clear given the context it is used in.
As men of God, we are called to be the leaders and protector of multiple
areas for God’s purpose. Unfortunately,
one of the areas we struggle in the most as a whole and individually are the
area of stewarding our own bodies- one part in particular.
You know the
story in Genesis: God created woman to be with man. Marriage and sex were God’s ideas- to be used
within His statutes and for Him to be honored with. We were created to enjoy intimacy with the
opposite sex, all within the bounds of marriage. Then along came the fall of man, sin entered
the world, and sexual perversion has dominated in many ways since. UNTIL!!!
The blood of Jesus Christ was shed on the Cross- bringing us back into
right relationship with God and giving us the power to be freed from sin once
again. Still, we struggle. Overcoming and domination of the flesh is a
constant process, no matter your maturity level in your walk with Christ. Our job as men, however, is to recognize the
strengths and ordaining the Lord has put upon us to be such overcomers.
Whether your
struggle is with premarital or extramarital sex, pornography, or other forms of
lust, it all is a major roadblock in keeping us from reaching our full
potential in Christ. What must you do to
“possess” your own vessel- to take full dominion over your body? It all starts with surrender and submission
DAILY to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I
have a friend that was just recently married.
He and his fiancée did it right- they waited until marriage to be
intimate with each other and married as virgins. Although I will never have the opportunity to
present myself to my bride in such a pure manner, I (and you) have the
opportunity to do the best with what we have, and if you haven’t already, begin
your journey for sexual purity immediately.
I asked my friend last year “Isn’t it hard abstaining? Don’t you ever wonder what it would be like
to have sex or be intimate with a woman?”
His reply? “No, because it’s
not an option.” Wow! I don’t think I can really describe what that
phrase has meant to me since I first heard it.
What a perfect example of being submitted to God’s sovereignty. I have used that phrase several times since
with other men.
Men of God,
the foundation has been laid, the blueprint has been written, and we are
equipped with everything we need to take back full control to steward our
bodies and build these temples for God’s glory.
The question is, “Are you ready to
begin the rebuilding process?”
“Walk in the Spirit and you shall not
fulfill the lust of the flesh.” –Gal 5:16 (NKJV)
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