Many people will hold the obsessively sexual person in contempt. They likely get labelled 'pervert'. For a brother or sister-in-Christ to become such a person, it would be even worst, I'm thinking.
However, if it turns out this person is among one of your friends, one who comes to you for help in overcoming, what can you do? How can you help?
Discover the level to which this obsession is an addiction. What are the movies being watched? What is being fed into his or her mind and soul. Since your friend in need professes to be a believer in Jesus Christ, he or she likely already knows this is sin.
Reminding them that God calls this behavior sin is necessary. Since your friend has come to you, it is assumed he wants help. First step is confession to God in repentance. No doubt the recovery process will take time. Harold J. Sala, in his book, Counseling Friends in Need, strongly recommends there be accountability in this process.
As you walk step by step with your friend, encouraging him or her along the way, Sala also believes memorizing Scripture helps feed the mind with 'healthy' food. In the case of this obsession, he suggests 2 Peter 1:4, Psalm 119:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and Proverbs 28:3, to be appropriate verses to memorize. As your friend in need reads and memorizes these verses, the Holy Spirit can use them in the transformation process towards victorious overcoming. Cover all with prayer.
Satan knows how to tempt us. But, in all things, the Holy Spirit who is ever more powerful and indwells your believer friend, knows how to teach, lead and guide and convict us of our sins, leading us to repentance, confession and to living the holy life that pleases the Lord.
We can then love the Lord because His mercy never fails us. His grace continually covers us. His goodness runs after us. He is ever faithful to us.
Heavenly Father, we love your voice. We are aware that You want us to live holy lives because you are holy. You want us to live in your goodness. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who helps us to do just that.
We ask for Your almighty, outstretched arm that is not shortened, to help each and every one of us live that victorious life in Christ should we choose to do so. In this way we can give you the honor and glory due Your name, especially since we claim to call upon Your Name. May our every breath be an honor and tribute to You.
We desperately need Your help!
Intervene in my friend _________'s life as he/she goes through this recovery process. Turn his/her term 'pervert' to sanctification and respect. Keep him/her accountable through it all and to maintain ever after until Jesus comes. In Jesus' name I beseech You. Amen.
~ ERC March 2025 ~
Based on 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:3-4. Also Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala,; Chapter 9 - Using the Bible to Counsel Addictive Behavior, pages 174-200.
Sing, Overcomer, along with Mandisa.
Memorize: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 & 2 Peter 1:3-4.
No comments:
Post a Comment