Posts Tagged ‘adultery’

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)

“I don’t want to be the reason my kids need counseling.”

This was stated by a man who was testifying about his reasons for joining a program for men addicted to porn. He had seen how it was affecting his entire family.

It was impressive that in his addiction, he was willing to consider his children. It reminded me of Philippians 2:3 (at the top).

For most Americans (except those who were raised using the King James Version of the Bible) this verse is more easily understood in the ESV, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

No matter how we say it we can understand that we are to consider others in our decision making and in our plans. Often people think that they are standing alone, that they can do whatever they want and it isn’t anyone else’s business.

It’s true that it may not be everyone else’s business but most of our decisions affect someone, especially family members and co-workers. When we fail to consider them we may be considering ourselves more important. We esteem our desires above the needs of others.

There are things that we can consider and pray about, trying to take everyone affected into account, and still make decisions that will make someone unhappy or uncomfortable. Things like financial decisions, job related or healthcare decisions. Sometimes people feel hurt but not because they weren’t considered.

The problem of decisions regarding sin is clearer. When we choose to sin, knowing that it will have an effect on others, we are choosing our own desires above those whom we should be considering more important than ourselves. These would be things like adultery, pornography use, theft, lying and cheating so we lose a job, and many more.

These are things that, when we choose to avoid them, God says He will bless us. When we choose to do what we want and not what God wants, He promises to curse that behavior (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). This means it is not just others who benefit when we choose to do right, it’s good for us, too.

A Christian man who makes changes because he sees the damage he has done in the family because of his porn addiction (or adultery, gambling problem, drinking problem or ______________ [you fill in the blank]), will be blessed for setting aside his own desires and turning from that sin.

It is a humble act to admit and turn from our sin so that we, and others, will know the blessing of the Lord.