Dealing with Immorality, Part 2

“But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Ephesians 4:20-24

A pilot flying a plan through a massive thunderstorm where the horizon is obscured may experience a sensation known as vertigo. Though he is upside down, he feels as if he is flying upright. Correction depends upon his reliance on his instruments which indicate otherwise.

Similarly, while we may not feel dead to sin (specifically immorality), the Word of God says we are, and His Word is always accurate - even in the midst of storms of passion. This is what the Scriptures refer to as “reckoning,” counting a fact true apart from any emotion or affection. That is why we are called to “reckon” ourselves dead to sin and alive to God (Rom. 6:11).

Successfully handling immorality begins with reckoning ourselves dead to its power, but we must continue be reckoning ourselves alive to Christ. You put on this new man - this new identity - by faith in God’s Word.

For sexual immorality, the Scripture says, “For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification” (1 Thess. 4:7). For unethical conduct, the Scripture says we should desire “to conduct ourselves honorably...” (Heb. 13:18). The believer deals with immorality by understanding his new holy nature in Christ and appropriating its transforming truth.

“...the truth will make you free.” John 8:32