Bible Verse: “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” (1 Kings 11:4)
Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 11:1-25
The statistics around sexual sin within Christianity are sobering. From pornography use and addiction to extramarital affairs and cohabitation, Christian men are not decidedly different from those who do not claim to follow Jesus.
It would be nice to say this is surprising. It isn’t. Our sexuality seems to be one of the ways that we are most broken by sin and one of the last things that sees the sanctification we so long for.
This is not a new phenomenon. It goes back to Solomon and even further.
As well-known as Solomon was for his wisdom, and deservedly so, he is equally famous for his libido and the effect it ended up having on him.
Solomon had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines.
Even if most of those wives were marriages of political advantage (they weren’t), this is suggestive of a libido like his father’s. Solomon was guided by his sexual urges in the same way that David was, and in the end, it led him down a path of trouble and distress, just like it did with David.
But with one significant difference: While David gave in to his urges, his heart remained devoted to God. Solomon, on the other hand, was led into idolatry and apostasy by his wives.
Men, perhaps you have your sexual urges submitted to the power of the Spirit and under control; your thought life and your actions are pure and blameless. Keep on. If they are not, I’m guessing you wish they were. You are not alone. The struggle with sex’s appeal has led to much pain and suffering among the people of God.
Do not give up the fight, men. With the help of the Spirit and some good friends, God can lead you into peace and wholeness.
Prayer: God, Your ideal is for sexual purity, and that is often a struggle. Help me to submit my sexual desires and urges to obedience to Your design. Amen.
Reflection: Who is someone in your life who can help you in the struggle for purity?
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