Bible Passage: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 NIV)
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Ever wondered what God’s will is?
Wrestled with the question of what God wants you to do? Faced the frustration and angst of not knowing which path is best suited for you, which course of action is “right”? God, what kind of man do you want me to be?
Look no further, at least in some regards.
The Thessalonians got to know exactly what God wanted.
Today’s verse is one of the few times when Scripture explicitly identifies something as God’s will. And it’s a tall mountain to climb.
Paul is frank in his letter to the Thessalonians, so we will be as well.
What does “sanctified” mean? It means, at least in part, that we avoid sexual immorality. One expression of which is the control of our own bodies. That includes our eyes and our minds. Men, we don’t get off the hook by claiming that we do not sleep around, that we don’t have multiple sexual partners.
Lust and pornography are just as much a problem for those inside the Church as they are for those outside, statistically speaking. Pornography is an elephant in the sanctuary. Many people know it’s there, but not many are doing anything about it.
This means that our internet habits, our wandering eyes in the office or toward the television, the objects of our thoughts in our quiet, alone moments, need to be brought under control and subjected to the will of God.
If you are asking God what He wants in the big picture, perhaps you are missing the fact that God’s will hits closer to home. It is for you and your body, that it would be an instrument of holiness. You control it. It does not control you. God’s will is not hidden. He wants you to be sanctified. Holy. Better than you were yesterday. Less subject to sin and free to live in His love and goodness each day.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You do not hide Your will. Thank You for telling me exactly what it is You desire for me. Help me look for ways that I can pursue sanctification, especially as it relates to my own body and my sexual desires. Amen.
Reflection: What tools do you use to help you protect yourself in the realm of sexual sin? What tools could you use, if you’re looking for help?
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