Sex, Truth, Prayer & Power

In the 70s and I had obtained a copy of “Straightforward: Why Wait Till Marriage” by Larry Tomczack. I was a fairly new believer, not well taught, and I was trying to find something convincing in regards to abstaining from sexual activity. I read the book, and I am pretty sure most every scripture that was related to this topic was in there, but I remember putting the book aside afterwards thinking: “not convinced.”

It was sometime later that same year when I was spending time in prayer, asking Jesus to speak, opening up the Bible in a haphazard way, and every passage I read convicted me about my sexual activity. I was so convicted and sensed such a fear of the Lord, that the same day I made changes. I just knew that God had spoken and, come what may, I could not disobey.

Now I am not commending the practice of ‘Bible Russian Roulette,’ as we used to call it, or am I dissing books. But I am illustrating something Paul says about change:

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." 2 Cor. 10:3-4

In this portion of his letter, Paul is arguing with some in the Corinthian church who are dissing Paul for “his refusal to employ the professional rhetoric of his day…” (ESV Study Notes) Now Paul was brilliant. He could have crushed any of them in their own game. And Paul is not speaking against reasoned argument. His many brilliantly written letters give ample evidence of that. 

But he is aware that transformative power lies outside of and beyond human efforts. Search “pray” in Paul’s letters. It’s revelatory. He models prayer. He asks for prayer. He commends, exhorts and commands prayer. He relies on prayer. He is confident about prayer. That’s why he is not playing games with rhetoric. He knows where true power lies, divine power, power to “destroy strongholds.”

I had the privilege to preach on sexuality this past Sunday. I worked hard to faithfully elaborate on what God had set down in Proverbs 5. But after the script was written out, I was aware that at best I had words, an argument, an exposition. As I shared with people in the days before the message: “God has to do the heavy lifting.” And so we prayed.

I loved those times of prayer. I felt strengthened, freshly aware of God’s activity and presence, hearing the spirit of God active in the hearts and voices of others as promises of scripture were prayed.
 
One such promise that came after the powerful storms Saturday which reversed the oppressive heat of the previous week was from Isaiah 55:10-11:

    “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
        and do not return there but water the earth,
    making it bring forth and sprout,
        giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 
    so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
        it shall not return to me empty,
    but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
        and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

I am still praying that prayer, for individuals, for our church, for our culture. Maybe in part because I remember God’s word, moved by God’s spirit, I’m sure through the prayers of others, altered the path of my life so many years ago, preserved me from so much harm, and led me in such a good and glorious way.