SEX & MONEY
P LEA SUR ES T H AT L E AV E Y O U E M P T Y A ND G RA C E T H AT S AT I S F I E S
DISCUSSION GUIDE B Y PA U L D AV I D T R IPP W I T H M I C H A E L E . B RE E C E , C O N T RIBUT OR
© 2013 Paul Tripp Ministries All rights reserved. 7214 Frankford Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19135 (800) 551-6595 Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
PERMISSIONS You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this Discussion Guide and the accompanying Leader’s Guide unlimited times, provided that you do not charge for the material or alter the content in any way without written permission. You are not permitted to reproduce or distribute the DVD in any way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Paul David Tripp is a pastor, author, and international conference speaker. He is the president of Paul Tripp Ministries and works to connect the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life. This vision has led Paul to write many books on Christian living and travel around the world preaching and teaching. Paul’s driving passion is to help people understand how the gospel of Jesus Christ speaks with practical hope into all the things people face in this broken world. For additional resources, visit www.paultripp.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS A Word of Welcome
4
We’ve Gone Crazy!
5
It’s All Vertical
9
The Highest Pleasure (I) 12 The Highest Pleasure (II) 15 Sex Is Worship 18 Sex Isn’t About You 21 Your Money Matters 25 Life and Money 28 Heart Problems, Money Problems (I) 31 Heart Problems, Money Problems (II) 35 One Final Note - Get Help 38
A WORD OF WELCOME Think about this: God created us with senses to enjoy and celebrate the pleasures of his created world. These pleasures are not sinful in themselves but they can quickly and seductively become problems in our lives. These pleasures, although God-given, have the power to rule our hearts. Through this material, you will have the opportunity to examine your own heart as it’s revealed through your pursuit of pleasure and learn how to enjoy God’s creation without allowing it to capture your worship. Although this study can be completed as an individual, it is written as a group study to encourage discussion. It’s also recommended that you write down your thoughts and answers as you work through the material. To begin each session, we recommend allowing time to reflect on the previous session’s Applying What You Learned and Personal Reflection. Then, engage in an Opening Discussion to stimulate initial thoughts about the primary principles that will be presented in the current session (summarized by the Key Ideas). The PowerPoint slides and Notes section allows you to follow along with the DVD and write notes as you watch the teaching. Additional notes can be taken in the margins or on the back of each page. Following the DVD, the entire group should work through the Review Questions, which are designed to check for mutual understanding. This will naturally lead into Discussion Questions, which encourage deeper consideration of the material. Finally, the Applying What You Learned and Personal Reflection sections can be used for “personal homework” and should help you examine your own heart and apply the truths to your own life in concrete ways. May God bless and encourage you greatly as you work through the sexual and financial insanity of your culture and your heart. May you find your satisfaction in Christ alone! God bless. Paul David Tripp
Even though this DVD curriculum can be used as a stand-alone resource, you may want to expand the study by reading Sex and Money: Pleasures That Leave You Empty and Grace That Satisfies. At the end of each DVD session, there is a suggestion for Supplemental Reading. There is a significant amount of additional content in the book that is not taught on the DVD curriculum. To order your copy of this book, visit www.paultripp.com/sex-and-money. A Word of Welcome
4
1. We’ve Gone Crazy!
“At the center of reality is something grand and glorious and different than me.”
OPENING DISCUSSION: Consider and discuss the following BEFORE watching Session 1:
1. How does your culture define sex and money? In other words, what purpose do they serve, what influence do they have, and how are they evaluated?
2. Where have you seen sex and money abused? What results from sexual and financial insanity?
KEY IDEAS:
1. Human culture has gone insane with sex and money. 2. Addictions begin by asking created things to do what they will never be able to do. 3. People in sex and money trouble need more than accountability and budget. 4. “In the beginning, God...” helps us to understand and define sex. 5. Human beings are susceptible to the lie of autonomy.
INSANITY
ADDICTION
1. We’ve Gone Crazy!
5
GLORY
THE FOUR MOST IMPORTANT WORDS EVER SPOKEN ABOUT
SEX...
TWO FOUNDATIONAL LIES
AUTONOMY
1. We’ve Gone Crazy!
6
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. What are “Sign Glories” or “Finger Glories”?
2. Why, and how, do people get addicted to “Sign Glories”, specifically sex and money?
3. When understanding sex and money, why are the first four words in the Bible, “In the beginning, God...” so important?
4. What is the lie of autonomy, and how does it affect the way we view sex and money?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How have you taught your children about sex and money? How can you do better?
2. How do you see the Christian culture being lured into the insanity of sex and money?
3. How, if at all, do you see your Christian culture responding to the sexual and financial insanity with the Gospel?
1. We’ve Gone Crazy!
7
APPLYING WHAT YOU LEARNED: 1. Who do you know that is struggling with sex and money problems? How can you purposefully speak into their lives about these issues? Where can you go for biblical advice and resources?
2. Make a list of things that give you pleasure. Highlight the ones that most tempt you to seek satisfaction, identity, and well-being from them instead of from the Lord.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How do I fill in the following: If I only had __________, then I would be happy;” or “If only I didn’t have ____________, then I would be happy.” In what areas do I attempt to be autonomous? Where do I try to establish my own will, follow my own desires, or seek my own reputation above God’s will, desires, and reputation?
SUPPLEMENTAL READING: For further help and study, read Chapters 1-3 of “Sex & Money” by Paul David Tripp
END OF SESSION
1. We’ve Gone Crazy!
8
2. It’s All Vertical
“There is something inside me that actually attracts me to this insanity.”
OPENING DISCUSSION: Consider and discuss the following BEFORE watching Session 2:
1. Where in society do you see evidence of people striving to live “self-made” lives? Does your culture reject or endorse this type of lifestyle? 2. What is the result of living a “self-made” lifestyle?
KEY IDEAS:
1. Human beings are susceptible to the lie of self-sufficiency. 2. Our struggles with sin are more about what is inside us than what is outside us. 3. Sex and money solutions will never be found horizontally; they will only be found vertically.
TWO FOUNDATIONAL LIES
SELFSUFFICIENCY
“BE RECONCILED TO GOD...”
2. It’s All Vertical
9
EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE IS
VERTICAL
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. What is the lie of self-sufficiency, and how does it affect the way we view sex and money?
2. Why are horizontal solutions inadequate when dealing with our sins?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What is deceptively attractive about living an autonomous and self-sufficient lifestyle?
2. What are some horizontal “solutions” that we ask to cure our sex and money problems? 3. How has the church viewed sex and money in a way that is less than biblical?
2. It’s All Vertical
10
APPLYING WHAT YOU LEARNED:
1. Write down some of your strengths and consider them in light of this question: where are you acting as a self-sovereign and trying to live an autonomous and self-sufficient life?
2. Have you tried to use any horizontal solutions that did not lead to lasting change in your life?
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How do I look at sex and money? Do I view them from an “autonomous and self-sufficient” perspective or do I view them as elements of my Christ-centered spirituality? Where do I need to confess to sexual and financial sin in my life? Am I too afraid and too ashamed to confess sin to others, even though I know that there is nothing that could be revealed about me that hasn’t already been covered by the blood of Jesus?
SUPPLEMENTAL READING: For further help and study, read Chapters 3-4 of “Sex & Money” by Paul David Tripp
END OF SESSION
2. It’s All Vertical
11
3. The Highest Pleasure (I)
“God created an amazingly pleasurable world.”
OPENING DISCUSSION: Consider and discuss the following BEFORE watching Session 3:
1. What are some of your favorite pleasures? Share your most enjoyable meal, genre of music, season of the year, vacation destination, or another pleasurable experience.
KEY IDEAS:
1. God, in his grace, goodness, and love, created an amazingly pleasurable world for us. 2. God has hardwired human beings to desire and enjoy pleasure. 3. Pleasure is not an evil thing and should not produce guilt in us; God is pleased when we celebrate his created pleasures. 4. All forms of pleasure require boundaries; boundaries do not destroy pleasure.
GOD CREATED AN AMAZINGLY PLEASURABLE WORLD
GOD HAS HARDWIRED US FOR PLEASURE
3. The Highest Pleasure (I)
12
ALL FORMS OF PLEASURE REQUIRE BOUNDARIES
WHAT SEEMS GOOD ISN’T ALWAYS GOOD
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. How should Christians view the available pleasures of this created world?
2. Why are boundaries necessary when it comes to enjoying pleasure?
3. The Higest Pleasure (I)
13
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. If pleasures have the ability to enslave and destroy us, would we be better off without them?
2. Discuss other areas of life where freedom is found by staying within God’s boundaries. To ask it another way, what are some pleasurable aspects of life that can easily enslave?
APPLYING WHAT YOU LEARNED:
1. Write down examples of how you can enjoy the physical pleasures of this world and bring glory to God. Do you do this all the time? In what ways may you be worshipping the created thing instead of the Creator?
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do I give thanks and glory to God for all the things I enjoy and receive pleasure from, or does my pleasure stop at the pleasure? Where am I living outside of God’s boundaries with certain pleasures? Am I enslaved, or at risk of being enslaved, to specific pleasures?
SUPPLEMENTAL READING: For further help and study, read Chapters 3-4 of “Sex & Money” by Paul David Tripp
END OF SESSION
3. The Highest Pleasure (I)
14
4. The Highest Pleasure (II)
“Nothing is ever just for your pleasure. It’s all owned by God for his purpose.”
OPENING DISCUSSION: Consider and discuss the following BEFORE watching Session 4:
1. Read John 6:1-15 and John 6:25-58. What was Jesus’ purpose in feeding the crowd?
KEY IDEAS:
1. Every physical pleasure always serves a higher pleasure - our relationship with God. 2. The pleasures of this created world are not ultimate - God is (Romans 11:36). 3. We don’t need to be rescued from pleasure or temptation; we need to be rescued from us.
PHYSICAL PLEASURE ALWAYS SERVES A HIGHER PLEASURE
JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND
JOHN
6
4. The Highest Pleasure (II)
15
“FOR FROM HIM AND THROUGH HIM AND TO HIM ARE ALL THINGS...”
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. Why did the crowd want to “come and take him [Jesus] by force to make him king?”
2. Why did Jesus withdraw from the crowd?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What are some of your favorite pleasures?
2. What was God’s purpose in creating those pleasureable things?
3. Do you take those pleasures for granted or act as if you’re entitled to it? How can you give thanks more often and regularly for the pleasure you recieve?
4. The Highest Pleasure (II)
16
APPLYING WHAT YOU LEARNED:
1. What kind of Jesus do you want? In other words, what do you want Jesus to do for you?
2. Examine your prayer life. What are some things you have been praying for recently? Is your prayer life one where you only ask the Lord for “bread and fish?”
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do pleasures turn my heart toward God in worship and gratitude? How often do I thank the Lord for his created gifts? Do pleasures make me seek more pleasure? Am I at risk of being enslaved - or am I currently enslaved - towards any created thing?
SUPPLEMENTAL READING: For further help and study, read Chapters 3-4 of “Sex & Money” by Paul David Tripp
END OF SESSION
4. The Highest Pleasure (II)
17
5. Sex Is Worship
“Sex is an act of worship.”
OPENING DISCUSSION: Consider and discuss the following BEFORE watching Session 5:
1. How would you define worship? Write your answer down before answering aloud.
KEY IDEAS:
1. The struggle with sex is not physical; it is a war of worship. 2. Human beings will worship created things instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25). 3. Your sexuality will accurately reveal the true worship of your heart. 4. Worship is not first an activity; worship is your identity - you are a worshipper.
1
CORINTHIANS 6:12-20
THE PRINCIPLE OF
MASTERY
5. Sex Is Worship
18
SEX HOLY
IS A THING
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. What were the medieval monasteries trying to accomplish? Why did they fail?
2. Romans 1:25 accurately diagnoses the source of our sexual and financial struggles. What is the diagnosis, and where can the cure be found?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Review your definition of worship from the Opening Discussion. What, if anything, would you change? Was your definition of worship too limited?
2. Why does it seem “awkward” or even “creepy” to associate sex with the worship of God?
3. Why are we timid to confess sin to ourselves and others? How can we become bold?
5. Sex Is Worship
19
APPLYING WHAT YOU LEARNED:
1. If a brother or sister in Christ came to you to confess sexual sin, how would you respond? Use the principles that you have learned so far to help you craft a Biblical strategy.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do I view sex and money as my personal possessions? Do I fail to recognize that these created things come from the hand of God? What other things in my life, apart from sex and money, might I be worshipping? How do I worship them? Am I too afraid to confess sin to others? Am I holding on to my appearance of self-righteousness and self-sufficiency?
SUPPLEMENTAL READING: For further help and study, read Chapters 3-4 of “Sex & Money” by Paul David Tripp
END OF SESSION
5. Sex Is Worship
20
6. Sex Isn’t About You
“Every act of sexuality, for a believer, is done in the context of your unity with Christ.”
OPENING DISCUSSION: Consider and discuss the following BEFORE watching Session 6:
1. What would be your ideal lifestyle? What elements (locations, situations, relationships, etc) would need to fall into place to create “paradise” for you on earth?
2. After answering the question above, think about your “paradise.” Would your paradise serve others, or would it require others to serve you?
KEY IDEAS:
1. This life will not be the paradise that your heart hungers for; paradise is to come. 2. When you forget your union with Christ, it’s easier to do things that aren’t pleasing to Him. 3. Nothing about you belongs to you anymore; it’s all owned by Christ. 4. We are commanded to flee from sexual immorality and glorify God in our bodies. 5. Sex isn’t the problem - the individulization of sex is.
THE PRINCIPLE OF
ETERNITY
THE PRINCIPLE OF
UNITY
6. Sex Isn’t About You
21
THE PRINCIPLE OF
OWNERSHIP
FLEE FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY
GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY
6. Sex Isn’t About You
22
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. What is the principle of eternity and how can it help us with our sex and money struggles?
2. What is the principle of unity and how can it help us with our sex and money struggles?
3. What is the principle of ownership and how can it help with our sex and money struggles?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What are some specific examples of sexual immorality that you faced this week - or even today - and how can you flee from them next time?
2. Share specific examples of where your culture is individualizing sex and money. You will probably find that these examples are the same things you should be fleeing from.
6. Sex Isn’t About You
23
APPLYING WHAT YOU LEARNED:
1. Take time to look over your calendar/schedule and your spending/budget for the past month. Is there any indication that you are trying to “find paradise” in the right here, right now moments of life? Write down specific examples.
2. Reflect on your past week. Write down some decisions that you made “in private” when no one was monitoring. Would you be uncomfortable or embarrased making these decisions again if Christ was physically present?
3. Write down several things over which you have control. This could be your house, your career, a specific possession like a car, your finances, or even your child. How controlling of these things are you? In other words, are you acting as if you own that thing?
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Review my answers to the Applying What You Learned section. Take time to confess to the Lord and others if there are areas of sin that have been exposed. Remember, Christ is my righteousness, and there is nothing that could ever be exposed about me for which He hasn’t already paid the price .
SUPPLEMENTAL READING: For further help and study, read Chapters 5-9 of “Sex & Money” by Paul David Tripp
END OF SESSION
6. Sex Isn’t About You
24
7. Your Money Matters
“Money is a very specific and very concrete window on your heart.”
OPENING DISCUSSION: Consider and discuss the following BEFORE watching Session 7:
1. If you received an unexpected sum of money - worth one week of pay - how would you react? What would be the first thing you want to do with that money?
KEY IDEAS:
1. Money will reveal what rules your heart because money has the unique ability to fund what is important to you. 2. Jesus Christ frequently talked about money - His church needs to do the same today. 3. You cannot accurately evaluate your use of money only by “big” decisions. Your love for money will reveal itself in the 10,000 little decisions you make.
THE BIBLE IS NOT MONEY NEUTRAL
IT’S NOT UNSPIRITUAL TO THINK ABOUT MONEY
7. Your Money Matters
25
CHRIST ABOUT
TALKED MONEY
THE STRUGGLE OF MONEY IS NOT ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU HAVE
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. Why does money reveal our heart so effectively and accurately?
2. Why is it important for the church of Jesus Christ to talk about money frequently?
3. Why is the struggle of money not about the amount of money that you have?
7. Your Money Matters
26
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How would you define “the good life?” In other words, what physical and earthly treasures do you think would provide your heart satisfaction?
2. Think about the things that make your daily life “pleasurable”. How much of those things are bought with money? 3. Think about the things that make your life “pleasurable”. How do you react when these things are taken away from you?
APPLYING WHAT YOU LEARNED:
1. Take a detailed inventory on how you spent (or did not spend) your money the past few weeks. What small purchases did you make? How generous were you with your money? What might this inventory reveal about the treasures of your heart?
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How generous am I with the money that God has given you? Do my money reveal selfishness or selflessness? Who in my life is struggling financially? When I evaluate my bank statements, do these people come to mind?
SUPPLEMENTAL READING: For further help and study, read Chapters 10-11 of “Sex & Money” by Paul David Tripp
END OF SESSION
7. Your Money Matters
27
8. Life and Money
“Creation is pleasurable and creation is enjoyable, but it will never give you life.”
OPENING DISCUSSION: Consider and discuss the following BEFORE watching Session 8:
Imagine that you have been given three “If Only...” wishes (“If only I had this” or “If only I didn’t have to deal with that). Be honest and transparent and write down your three “If only...” wishes:
1. “If only...
2. “If only...
3. “If only...
KEY IDEAS:
1. You cannot serve both God and money. 2. Whatever sits on the other end of your “If Only...” is where you are looking for life. 3. You have already been given life in Christ - stop searching for it horizontally. 4. Budgeting won’t solve your money idolatry; in fact, it might actually deepen the problem. 5. The only things that will truly satisfy your soul cannot be bought with money. 6. This side of eternity, we’re all vunerable because we still have fickle and easily-distracted hearts.
YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MONEY
8. Life and Money
28
YOU CAN’T BUY IT
FOUR APPLICATIONS
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. What is “life” and where is “life” to be found?
2. Why is budgeting (on its own) not an effective solution? How can it potentially deepen our problems?
3. Why is it necessary to examine our heart and own vulnerability?
8. Life and Money
29
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What are some of the most common “If Only...” answers in your culture?
2. What could happen if we aren’t as polarizing as “You cannot serve both God and money”
3. How can we deepen our identity in Christ, thus protecting ourselves from seeking false identity in material things?
APPLYING WHAT YOU LEARNED:
1. Re-examine your three “If Only...” statements from the Opening Discussion. If you’re honest with yourself, are you actually seeking life from some of these things? In what way?
2. Where do you experience your biggest joys, your biggest dissapointments, and your biggest moments of envy? Are they related to things that money does or does not provide you?
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Am I “playing” with the king of my heart? Am I allowing money to have too much rule in my life? Where am I spending my money? Am I investing in my temporary pleasure or am I investing in eternal reward?
SUPPLEMENTAL READING: For further help and study, read Chapter 11 of “Sex & Money” by Paul David Tripp
END OF SESSION
8. Life and Money
30
9. Heart Problems, Money Problems (I)
“Money is not the problem; the love of money is the problem.”
OPENING DISCUSSION: Consider and discuss the following BEFORE watching Session 9:
1. Write down at least 10 blessings for which you are thankful. Pick one or two to briefly share with the group before watching the video session.
KEY IDEAS:
1. Unthankful people tend to be searching, seeking, and longing people. 2. We have wrongly named things we desire for things we “need” and we judge the love of others and God by whether or not they deliver those things we think we need. 3. Money gives you the ability to meet the needs and relieve the suffering of others. 4. Money can tempt you to think that you’re self-relient and that you’re not actually needy.
1. 2. 3. 4.
I N G R AT I T U D E NEED DISCONTENT ENVY
9. Heart Problems, Money Problems (I)
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MONEY IS A BLESSING
MONEY IS A DANGER
MONEY IS NOT THE PROBLEM
1. 2. 3. 4.
CONTENTMENT IDENTITY FA L L E N W O R L D WORSHIP
9. Heart Problems, Money Problems (I)
32
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. What is the heart problem of INGRATITUDE, and why does it lead to money problems?
2. What is the heart problem of NEED, and why does it lead to money problems?
3. What is the heart problem of DISCONTENT, and why does it lead to money problems?
4. What is the heart problem of ENVY, and why does it lead to money problems?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How have you been blessed by the generosity of another person?\
2. How have you been harmed by another person’s selfish desire for money?
3. What does your culture tell you that you need, when in fact, the Bible probably wouldn’t name it as a need?
9. Heart Problems, Money Problems (I)
33
APPLYING WHAT YOU LEARNED:
1. Reconsider your list of blessings from the Opening Discussion section. How quickly were you able to think of blessings? Did you struggle to remember and recall the blessings of God in your life?
2. Look at the four heart problems that lead to money problems: ingratitude, need, discontent, and envy. Which one do you think you struggle with the most? Write down some concrete evidence that reveals your ingratitude, a false sense of need, discontent, or envy.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Am I a person that counts my blessings, or am I a person who continually counts what I want and what others have? What am I telling myself that I need? Have I redefined the Bible’s definition of need (2 Peter 1:3)? Who in my life could be blessed by my resources? Am I selfishly hoarding what could be given to God’s kingdom?
SUPPLEMENTAL READING: For further help and study, read Chapter 12 of “Sex & Money” by Paul David Tripp
END OF SESSION
9. Heart Problems, Money Problems (I)
34
10. Heart Problems, Money Problems (II)
“Our struggles with sex and money will one day end”
OPENING DISCUSSION: Consider and discuss the following BEFORE watching Session 10: Briefly review the Applying What You Learned from Session 9. The majority of discussion for Session 10 will occur after watching the final video.
KEY IDEAS:
1. The lie of “you don’t have enough” has been around since the beginning (Genesis 3:1-6). 2. A healthy Christian life is about saying “no” - saying “no” to your thoughts and desires. 3. Change is possible for us because we have a high priest who not only forgives, but who understands and provides us with everything we need. 4. Our struggles with sex and money will one day end.
1. 2. 3. 4.
CONTENTMENT IDENTITY FA L L E N W O R L D WORSHIP
PSALM
73
10. Heart Problems, Money Problems (II)
35
A
DANGER TO YOU
1. I AM NEVER ALONE 2. I HAVE ALL I NEED
3. I AM FORGIVEN
4. I AM UNDERSTOOD 5. CHANGE IS POSSIBLE 6. MY REAL PROBLEM
7. RICH WISDOM 8 . R I C H E S T H AT S AT I S F Y 9. MY STRUGGLE WILL END
10. Heart Problems, Money Problems (II)
36
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How have you grown in knowledge and understanding over these 10 sessions? In other words, how have you expanded your “theology” of sex and money. Write down some specific and concrete examples before sharing aloud:
2. Remember that the purpose of Scripture is not just informational, but transformational. What selfish and sinful tendencies have been exposed to you about you during these 10 sessions? Write down some specific and concrete answers before sharing aloud:
3. Remember that you are not only called to be a recipient of grace, but a participant of grace as well. What have you learned about sex and money that you can bring to others struggling in these areas? Write down specific people struggling with specific issues to whom you can be an instrument of grace (of course, respect confidentiality if necessary):
SUPPLEMENTAL READING: For further help and study, read Chapters 13-14 of “Sex & Money” by Paul David Tripp
END OF SESSION
10. Heart Problems, Money Problems (II)
37
ONE FINAL NOTE - GET HELP My anticipation is that after studying this Sex and Money curriculum, you will begin to admit that you have a sexuality problem. For some, your problem might be that you don’t “flee sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18) as often as you know you should. For others, your problem might be a deep addiction to explicit pornography that has gone untouched for years. Whatever the “level” of your problem, you need to get help. Sin is deceitful, and guess who it deceives first? You have very little difficulty recognizing the sins of those around you, but you will be blind – either in part or completely – to your own sins. Hebrews 3:13 says, “Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” The Bible clearly lays out our need for the intervening help of the body of Christ. Don’t think that you see yourself with accuracy or that you can deal with the problem on your own. Get help. If you’re dealing with something not as severe as an addiction, go to your small group leader or a mature brother or sister in the church. But if you’re playing with a dangerous and debilitating sexual sin, then you need the professional help of someone who can help you work through that struggle. There are two things I want to say about professional counseling. First, you need a counselor who has your struggle as their area of expertise. You need a professional who has thought richly about your struggle and who has deep experience in this area. Second, you need a counselor who is committed to a biblical worldview and committed to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We don’t believe in a system of redemption; we believe in a Redeemer. You won’t find lasting help outside of Jesus. If you’re dealing with sexual struggles and you don’t have access to a biblical counselor in your church or community of believers, I would recommend HarvestUSA. Their mission is to partner with and equip the Church in bringing the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to transform the lives of those affected by sexual sin. They will either offer you in-house counseling or refer you to a trusted biblical counselor in your local area. Don’t be afraid to say, “I need help.” The blood of Christ covers all your sin – past, present, and future – so there is nothing that can be exposed about you that hasn’t already been paid for. Sexual sin can be devastating for individuals and families, and God has chosen for His body to be an avenue of intervention. Get help. God bless. Paul David Tripp
www.harvestusa.org
|
215.482.0111
|
info@harvestusa.org One Final Note - Get Help
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Š 2013 Paul Tripp Ministries