The opening of chapter four is both refreshing and disconcerting. Alcorn is just being honest when he says that just because we can’t fathom committing adultery doesn’t mean it can’t happen. As the chapter indicates, we’re targeted and vulnerable. Targeted in the sense that Satan is real, he’s personal and he wants to seriously mess with Christians’ lives.
Alcorn recalls a counseling situation as a young pastor in which he realized that the young woman counselee was interested in him–and he was flattered! He liked it. Of course he did. But he acted against this feeling and “made arrangements” to avoid what was only a possibility. But that’s the point. He realized his vulnerability and immediately went to work to protect himself, the woman, his family, his church, etc. We must take charge, take precautions, take action for our Lord, for our souls, for our families, for our churches. I remember Dr. Albert Mohler saying that he would never cheat on his wife if he was never alone with another woman. It was that simple. That’s why you’ll see my office blinds open if there’s ever just a woman in my office!
We are then reminded that we actually can’t ever get away with anything. As evangelicals, we love to proclaim the omnipresence and omniscience of God. As much as these are attributes of power, they’re also very real warnings to us. Satan’s lie is that no one’s around, no one will know, what they don’t know won’t hurt them. But we need to train ourselves to see through that temptation. One way to do this is to think past immediate gratifications and see the consequences. Alcorn reminds us that our fellowship with God will be blocked by sexual sin. He then gives a few examples of people on the other side of scandal and destruction, relating what they see now from the rubble.
The author’s suggestion may sound a bit corny, but I think it’s actually helpful. When a tempting image is in front of his eyes or his mind’s eye, he images a barbed fishhook dangling there ready to hook into his mouth. This is to counter the obviously beautiful lure: “Temptation always looks good–otherwise they wouldn’t be temptations.” But,
his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Peter 1:3-4
We have what we need to battle! The last image he gives us is the source of our satisfied thirst. Christ! With him there is true pleasure, pleasure that lasts and won’t let us down or drive us to wanting more and more of what can never satisfy. Who will we believe? Will we believe God’s word or Satan’s word?
Maybe this means you need to physically post pertinent Bible verses on or near your computer screen. It most certainly means we must be finding satisfaction daily in the Bible, plunging into the depths to resurface with treasures greater than fleeting sexual sin. Perhaps you need to confess to another brother (or your wife!) and have someone hold you accountable by getting into your life. Whatever you do, act like a man and take action! Go back and look Pastor Ron’s initial post for some resources that will help.
