#CHURCHTALK 20: How Jesus handled sexual sin (Part 2)

For a more rewarding experience, it is recommended that you read the first part of this article before reading today's concluding part which highlights three (3) more responses of Jesus to sexual sin.

The two very important takeaways from Jesus' first and second responses to sexual sin are that, firstly, He was hesitant to make a comment, but was more thoughtful and took time to consider things properly and put them in their right perspectives first.

Secondly, He was as concerned about those who were exposing the sexual sin and how they were going about it, as He was concerned about the person who had been exposed. Both were equally important to Him, but He first addressed those exposing the sexual sin first; and His response was deeply soul-searching for them, showing them how unfit they were to act as judges over she who her sin had been exposed.

In His third response, Jesus got personal with the sinner, teaching us that the privacy and human dignity of those discovered to be into sexual sins should be respected and protected when trying to reach out to them. The Pharisees had already made it public, but Jesus moved the discussion into private quarters.

John 8:9 [KJV] 
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

Jesus, in what might be seen as a veiled attempt at humor in His fourth response, made the woman comfortable by not only refusing to condemn her, but also making a mockery of those who had just tried to do so.

John 8:10 [KJV] 
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 

Creating a comfortable atmosphere around a person who is into sexual sin not only helps them to be more open to change, but also helps them become more willing to listen to you and explore that change.

The truth is that more often than not, those who are into sexual sins know firsthand and too well the error of their ways and the destruction and havoc it wrecks on their lives bodily and otherwise. Their sin (the error of their ways) is ever before them (as David said). So, adding more condemnation upon a person who already feels condemned was not Jesus’ way, neither should it be ours'.

Rather than speak condemnation, Jesus spoke graciously to her who had sexual sin. The grace of God is the power of God which teaches us to think and act differently, in conformity with what is righteous. Let us pray more for the grace of God to be revealed to those who sin, and let us teach them about the gospel of that grace.

Titus 2:11-12 [AMP] 
11. For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind.
12. It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world,

Romans 1:16 [AMP] 
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,

Philippians 2:13 [AMP] 
[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

In His fifth response, Jesus reaffirms to the woman that she is not condemned, but also does not condone her sinful life. He rather charges her to take personal responsibility to go and discontinue her sin.

John 8:11 [KJV] 
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 

Jesus was good to this sinner, and expected her to draw strength from that goodness in order to make a change in her life. This, really, is the message of the spirit of the gospel: that Christ has been good to us, so that we may now draw from His goodness by accepting and taking personal responsibility to walk in newness of life in Him.

Philippians 2:12-13 [AMP] 
12. Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
13. [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

The Pharisees who condemned the woman didn’t do so with clean hands, and got rebuked. When Jesus now says to the woman “Neither do I”, He meant to say “Even I who has clean hands will not condemn you". This is the graciousness of God in Christ to the sinner; the grace that Paul says brings salvation. But that grace does not just remove condemnation from he that has sexual sin: it also teaches them to take personal responsibility not to go back to it again.

After Jesus says all these to the woman, He turns again to the people and makes a very profound statement:

John 8:12 [KJV] 
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

A follower is one who does what other people say to do. I speak to those who are into one sexual sin or the other: Make up your mind to follow Christ daily; to do what He says. His grace is sufficient for you to that end. Seek spiritual guidance today from the word of God and a spiritual leader. If you follow Christ, your life will have His light (the revelation of His power and provisions for you). Jesus wants to make you whole if only you will believe.

Sexual sins are the only sins that directly affect the human body. The Bible says they are sins against the body.

1 Corinthians 6:18 [NLT] 
Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.

The Greek word translated "fornication" is porneuō, meaning "to act the harlot" or "to indulge unlawful lust". The keyword is "unlawful". If what you're doing is not proper or lawful, you really should stop, because you're hurting yourself.

Masturbation degrades your mental health and self esteem, not to mention its addictive nature. And addictions are NEVER a good thing. If you have to get high in order to feel happy, that's bondage, not pleasure. The fact that you always feel ashamed and dirty after masturbating is the reason why you should stop already. Ask God to help you today. Talk to somebody today.

Pornography is a wicked taskmaster. It is slow poison that you should stop taking. Though it seems impossible to you, Jesus can deliver you from it if you'll ask Him to, and seriously work towards it. Gracelyn Sorrell's story and Amanda Turner story will encourage you.

If you've become comfortable having sex with someone that's not your spouse, you are losing your God-given sense of value and dignity. If you're married, but you're sleeping with someone that's not your spouse, you're sowing seeds of pain and regret. Please save yourself now. Your body was meant to be the temple of God.

1 Corinthians 6:13 [AMP] 
Food [is intended] for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end [the functions of] both and bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but [is intended] for the Lord, and the Lord [is intended] for the body [to save, sanctify, and raise it again].

See how the New Living Translation puts it:

1 Corinthians 6:13 [NLT] 
You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.

Jesus also went ahead to further rebuke and admonish the Pharisees to be more spiritual in their approach to ministry.

John 8:15-16 [KJV] 
15. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 
16. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. 

This should be a profound lesson to all who believe in Christ and who minster in His name. In your judgment of men and issues, are you alone, or is God with you?
Quite simply, is Jesus saying the same thing you’re saying?

If you're struggling with a sexual sin and would like to seriously seek help, please send me an email at anunaso.cp@gmail.com.
Thank you.

Chukwubuikem Paul Anunaso is a CNBC Africa opinion writer and civil/structural engineer in Lagos, Nigeria. He is also the editor of The Paul Anunaso Blog, and can be reached at anunaso.cp@gmail.com


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