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Key Bible Verse: Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. (Romans 1:24, NIV) Dig Deeper: 2 Samuel 13

The fallout of the misuse of human sexuality is immense—sexual addiction, pornography, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, destroyed marriages, prostitution, trafficking and abuse of women and children, personal guilt, and much more.

Physically, the misuse of our sexuality puts us at risk for infectious diseases including gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis, human papilloma virus, herpes simplex virus, I-IIV, and others. It is not an exaggeration to say that a single generation of compliance with simple biblical guidelines regarding sex would lead to the near eradication of STDs.

Emotionally, the act of sex is unlike most physical acts in terms of the complex impact it has on us when misused. Sex can be a powerful force in destroying people. The horrifying reality of the molestation of children, or the rape of women, make it clear that there is no greater abuse, and there are no deeper wounds than the ones that come through sexual violations. But even without the violence, abuse, and manipulation involved in such acts, we cannot overlook the pain, damage, and sense of betrayal caused by sexual infidelity, or the kind of emotional loss that comes when sex is detached from commitment and responsibility.

—Philip Carlson in Love Written in Stone

My Response: I will read Dig Deeper and make a list of all the consequences of Amnon's unbridled lust.

Thought to Apply: Sin is more dangerous than wild bears, more deadly than blazing forest fires. … Ask Samson, who was reduced to a pathetic shred of a man because he never got control over the lusts of his flesh.—Nancy Leigh Demoss (ministry leader)

Adapted from Love Written in Stone (Bethany House, 2011) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.

Copyright © 2012 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Father, give me a healthy understanding of my sexuality and help me to submit my sexual desires to your holy and wise will.

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